Fletcher Kent On Being Open To the Light

Rising Aussie singer-songwriter Fletcher Kent has had a massive 12 months. Not only did he complete his own sold-out tour, but the troubadour also supported Lewis Capaldi on his recent Australian tour. With new music out in the world, Kent spoke with The Note about living in New York, the biggest lesson he’s learned as a musician and becoming mates with Lewis Capaldi.

Interview Tobias Handke // Image supplied

Congratulations on your single ‘Open To the Light’. It’s quite a vulnerable song about making changes in your life, something you have firsthand experience of over the past 12 months. Was that the inspiration behind the song, your own life experiences?

Thanks so much!! You’ve pinpointed the song for me exactly. The song came in a time when I was about to sign a record deal and knew that I was going to get the chance to do something I had wanted and worked towards for a very long time. That’s when the fear came in - the fear of not being ready, capable, able to walk that path in the way I wanted. But that feeling is one that seems to come whenever any change is upon me. Leaving school, moving, starting a relationship, etc.

The song is about acknowledging those feelings and then choosing to release them. We can only control how we respond and move forward. If you’re in a place of gratitude and acceptance, everything feels like a positive or, at the very least, an opportunity for growth

As mentioned, 2025 was a massive year not only in your career but also in your life in general. You changed your name, got engaged and spent time living in New York. How have you grown over this period, both as a person and a songwriter?

I think I grew more in 2025 than I have for a long time. There’s this line that people often give to artists and creative people, which I’ve always found quite vague – “Just be yourself”. Because we are so multifaceted, [I wonder] what part of myself?

I think last year I discovered a feeling of purpose that has made that statement clearer for me. Almost like, “Allow yourself to be what calls you most, what makes you the most unique”.

Journaling was new for me last year, and it really helped me to process my internal dialogue and find direction. When you’re steering the ship, it’s nice to feel like you know where you’re going, and importantly, why you’re going there. This has definitely come into my songwriting, especially what themes and feelings I’m writing about.

Do you think it’s given you more clarity on the person you want to be?

Entirely. In many ways. On the music side, it’s a freedom to trust the process and the journey. Wanting something so much can often put pressure on it. Like you squeeze too hard and lose sight of the joy of it. The person I want to be is such a focus for me. More than anything, I want to be happy and good. I know what that means for me, and the more I make choices in accordance with that, the better every aspect of my life is.

What was your time like in New York? Did it ever get overwhelming, or did you have a good support base?

I absolutely loved New York. I feel like that city is just SO alive. It kind of elevates how you’re feeling. When you’re good, the skies feel open, and the energy is super exciting. But when things start to get overwhelming, it kind of builds pressure on top of that.

My now fiancé and I did long distance, so we really prioritised connection by going on FaceTime dates… she would make me newsletters, and I would send her songs. I also got super lucky making incredible friends over there. I lived with three other musos in Brooklyn, and that was the absolute best. Really opened the door to music in the city and life there in general. I also played a weekly set at the Old Mates Aussie pub in the city, which was unreal to keep the Aussie vibes up!!

As someone who has been making music since they were eight, what has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the journey so far?

Wow, what a question. Mentioning how long I’ve been doing this makes me reflect on listening to your inner child. Maybe the thing you wanted to do when you were a kid, but maybe just having the silence to try and look at your life without all of the lenses we wear. If I could do anything I wanted, what would I do? I’ve been very lucky to be supported in doing this by my family. But I know even if it’s been too long since I’ve written a song or played a gig, I get quite antsy. So, I think the lesson is just to keep listening to myself. What do I want? Am I doing it/working towards it? And if one day music stops being that, I hope I can have the silence to hear what else I want.

Back to your music, ‘Open To the Light’ follows a run of awesome singles released last year – ‘Are You Ready’, ‘Wasted’ and ‘Blindspot’. What is your process when it comes to writing? Were these songs written in one session, or have you been consistently writing and recording material over the past 12 months?

Before I changed my name and started releasing music again, I spent five years primarily focused on songwriting. So I have a very big catalogue of songs to work through and release. Haha. My process in that time was just write every day – trying to grow as a songwriter. And then one day something would come that just felt better or truer than the songs I was writing for the sake of it. I don’t usually have concepts or ideas when I start writing… I mostly start playing guitar or piano and find a melody and chords that I like. Then I try to let the song tell me what it wants to be about, and follow that.

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You also got the opportunity to support Lewis Capaldi last year on his Australian tour. How did that come about?

A friend of mine had played Lewis my first single, “I’ll Be”, when it came out, and Lewis sent me a message about it – which was such a joy for me! I’d seen him live before and am a big fan. Then in August, it was the 10 year anniversary of my brother Banjo’s passing. I came home from NY to be with my family and was at “Banjo’s Skatepark” (which was built in his honour) when I got the call. I had no idea I was even being considered. The whole thing felt quite spiritual and special.

Is Lewis as funny in real life as he is in interviews? Did he offer you any helpful advice?

Haha! Yes, he has such a joyous, lovely energy. He definitely left me with lots to take away, both from observing his shows and the way he acted. About 10 minutes before I was about to go on stage at the last show in Perth, he came into my dressing room to give me a “small” tour gift. It was a new, gorgeous Martin guitar to which I was like, “This is a huge gift!” Haha. I’m so grateful.

You even got the chance to perform on stage with Lewis and Aaron Rowe. That must have been a pinch-me moment.

That was such a highlight. He messaged me about it the morning of the show! So I spent some time in the hotel that day having a sing and preparing. The view and sound on stage when the arena was full and all singing together was insane. To get to share that with those guys and the band was something I won’t forget.

Speaking of performing live, you hit the road last month on your own headline tour, with multiple sold-out shows. How was that?

It was the absolute dream. The energy in the rooms was really unique and powerful. I wanted to do a few things in the tour that I hadn’t seen before – really make it our own. Seeing these come off in the way I had imagined was so fulfilling.

Fulfilling is really the word of that whole tour, to be honest – it feels so validating for years of believing in the dream.

The tour included a stack of special guests. Did you handpick the artists supporting you?

Yes, I did! When I announced the tour, I posted a video asking people to tag local artists. I got almost a thousand comments across my channels, and I read/checked out all of them. I needed to make a spreadsheet, haha. I feel so grateful for the artists who joined the tour. They were all above and beyond, and just really great energy people. I feel blessed for that.

Even though you’re forging your own path, you are helping emerging artists by featuring them on tour. Is this important to you, to give back a little and help others?

Absolutely. I like music to feel like a team sport as much as possible. Even as a solo musician, there are ways you can come together with people and create/work towards a common experience. And there are just so many talented people. It’s not really a competition… the way the world is going, getting to be more human with more people is something I’m looking for.

Last one, can we expect an album soon?

Whooooooo! I’m still working on some of the songs, but yes. I have a title, the tracklist, the cover. It’s also going to be part of a broader release plan for my future, which I’m excited to share. Coming back to your earlier question about “clarity on the person you want to be”, something came to me when I was in NYC. A sort of career philosophy. I’m excited to go into this soon, and just so grateful to do what I love every day. I wish that for everyone. Thank you so much for these thoughtful questions. I’ve enjoyed reflecting on them very much.

Fletcher Kent’s new single ‘Don’t You Want It’ is out now. Listen here. Keep up to date with everything going on in Kent’s world here.

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