Indy Yelich – a New York-based musician and the little sister of Lorde – has released her debut single.
'Threads' is about the ups and downs of being in love at 23, Indy says.
"I think of New York City, I think of bar-hopping with friends: very much the chaos and beauty of how a night can unfold," she tells Anna Thomas.
Indy Yelich Photo: Indy Yelich / Instagram
- Related: New Zealand's Indy Is Forging Her Own Pop Path (Rolling Stone)
Indy has been writing poetry since she was a child – and published two poetry books – but pursued an acting career before music.
After finishing high school in Auckland, she moved to LA but ended up realising she was interested in telling stories she could be a part of writing.
Indy's songs, which she's now been writing and recording for four years, are heavily inspired by her poetry.
She says she didnt show them even to her family until she felt ready.
"They always say 'writers must read' but I actually had to experience life before I knew what I was talking about, you know?
"I really wanted to figure out my sound before I put anything out."
'Threads' will feature on Indy's forthcoming EP, which she says includes a lot of nostalgia about growing up on Auckland's North Shore.
"Growing up in Devonport you get to run around and be naughty and it's a very safe environment."
Living in New York's East Village now, Indy's style is inspired by the city and '80s artists who lived there such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Patti Smith.
While she and her big sister Ella are close – they talk about books and share clothes – she says they're also very different people.
"Obviously she's really good with advice and that's really helpful and I feel inspired by everything she's done.
"She's opened doors but it only gets you so far. The work has got to be good."
Indy now feels confident enough in her songwriting to share it with the world.
"I'm not 20 anymore. I'm 24 in a month and I just feel a lot more comfortable in what I've experienced. I really think now is kind of the right time for forging my own path."
