How long have you been playing guitar and songwriting for?
I've been playing the guitar about nine years now, just mainly self taught and making up chords as I write. My first song came out whole and kind of unplanned…  that was in 2003.

Your big start seemed to come in 2008 when you received a New Recording Artist grant from NZ On Air for your song 'Feels Like’. Can you tell us a bit about how this all came about?
Well I was at the point where I was doing everything I could to get my music out there and be heard, and applying for a grant from NZ on Air was just one of those ways. I was so stoked to even hear that I had been short-listed since over two hundred artists had applied for that particular grant.


Does your spirituality play a big part in the creation of your music?
If so, how?
My spirituality is a big part of who I am, and I write what I am feeling, so yeah, there's no way it could be separate from what I create. Someone wise once said to me that songs seem to be given to people from a higher being. Even some people who aren't religious take this view too. I like to think there is truth in that.


You’ve played lots of shows & major gigs like The Acoustic Church Tour, Zoo Music, Parachute Festival. What’s the best thing for beating nerves when you perform at big shows?
This is so hard. I have to try to be really disciplined because I am a very feelings-based person and I often let it all show. The main reason I get nervous is if I feel like I don't deserve to be on stage, like if I don't think people will like me. Sometimes I need to be reminded that if people didn't want to be there, they wouldn't be! When I get a healthy perspective I generally lose the nerves.


What’s your pick for the best gig you’ve played, and why?
My most recent gig was opening for Diana Krall in Auckland. That was really special and I will remember it for a long, long time.


What kind of music did you grow up listening to? Any guilty pleasures?
As a child there was Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and The Spice Girls. Then when I started discovering music for myself it was Zed, Coldplay, Ryan Adams, Lene Marlin, Lifehouse, Travis and Hanson… with so much in between!

What’s your favourite artist at the moment?
Some stuff I'm loving for driving and dancing to is a french band called Caravan Palace. Also loving American duo The Weepies, and Kiwi artists Tiny Ruins from Wellington and Luke Thompson from Tauranga.


What are you working on currently?
At the moment I'm in song-writing mode. After that comes recording mode. I'm very excited.

What would you say to kids who are thinking about becoming solo artists like yourself?
I would say to just be true to yourself.
Get to know yourself.
Never be too scared to dream.

Why do you love music?
I love music because it is unreasonable. Sometimes you love a song for no reason. Sometimes it will make you cry for no reason. Sometimes listening to a certain song in the morning can change your whole outlook on the day. Music can help you to grieve. Music can celebrate with you. Music can express what you were too afraid to say.

Watch Lydia's video for Tonight: