Today empowered songwriter and producer Fluir releases her stellar new single Higher Ground, a hook-laden, uplifting track that encourages listeners to break away from the dull routines that can sometimes take over our lives. Higher Ground is one of those songs that manages to combine a number of different genres – dance, pop, electronic – in a sophisticated, yet inherently catchy, way. Evocative of the work of artists such as RÜFÜS DU SOL, Kilter and Alice Ivy, Higher Ground drives forward with propelling percussion, intricate production and gentle, assured vocals from Fluir.
To celebrate the release, Fluir sat down to attend to a little Q&A we threw her way.
What was the spark which lit your flame for music?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by music. My most vivid childhood memories all stem from music related scenarios. Growing up, my parents made me learn classical piano, which I hated but at the same time I’m grateful for in retrospect. I ended up finishing AMEB 8th Grade in piano, however my heart has always been in contemporary music. When I was 13, I became obsessed with the guitar and pop/punk/rock music. I begged my parents to buy me a guitar and they eventually caved. That’s when I first started songwriting.
The moment that really lit my flame in terms of wanting to become an artist however was when my sister won two tickets to see Missy Higgins perform Live At The Wireless Triple J. I was only around 15 at the time and my sister let me go with her. It was my first ever-proper gig. It absolutely blew me away. To see a homegrown artist making a career out of music and not some far-removed band from overseas, that’s when it really hit home. From that day on I knew I wanted to be an artist.
What was your first band/artist t-shirt?
I went to a high school that didn’t have a school uniform (the worst). My first artist t-shirt I actually made myself and used to wear it to school all the time. I bought a white t-shirt and ironed on a print of John Lennon. Everyone thought it was legit!
A record that changed your life?
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication. I taught myself how to play guitar learning every song on that album.
What other producers do you look to for inspiration?
Producers making credible records by doing their own thing and not just following the latest trend/sound.
What’s your gear set up? Hardware and software
DAW is Ableton on a 2012 MBP (yes I’m well overdue for a new laptop) with a Steinberg interface and Neumann TLM 103 microphone.
What’s your fave plug-in and why?
UVI Falcon. Recently, while I was working with Sam Littlemore, I saw him using UVI Falcon a few times so was keen to try it and have used it non-stop ever since.
What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
I’m currently working in the studio on the mix for my latest recording. I’m hoping to have it finished in the coming weeks!
What would be your dream collaboration?
I’d be intrigued to work with Grimes. I feel like she would extract some weird and wonderful ideas from me that I never knew I had. I’d also like to collaborate with HAIM, purely so I could hang out with Este Haim. She seems like a lot of fun.
What would you consider to be your greatest musical achievement to date?
Having my songs played on Triple J and ‘Change’ premiering on ‘Good Nights’ with Bridget Huswaite. Also, playing my first-ever festival slot at Groovin The Moo (VIC).
What’s coming up for you in the next few months?
I’m looking forward to releasing my latest single ‘Higher Ground’ on May 17. I’m also playing a free gig on 26 May at the North Gong Hotel in Wollongong, NSW. Other than that, I’m working hard finishing a bunch of tracks that I will be releasing throughout 2019 and hoping to play a bunch more shows.