ixaras: DIY Dreams and New Realities
Coming-of-age indie pop-rock, infused with a DIY punk ethos, is ixaras’ brand to a T. Following the release of her gripping sophomore EP What Is And What Isn’t, the 18-year-old Brisbane-based artist talks growing up, indie labels and Adelaide’s buzzing youth music scene.
Interview Millah Hansberry // Image supplied
Congratulations on the release of your sophomore EP, What Is And What Isn’t. How would you describe the energy of this record?
The EP is pretty eclectic, with a melting pot of influences that I’ve been listening to for the past couple of years. I was consuming anything and everything, and viewed my brain as a filter, trying to create different versions of what I was feeling in different time capsules – almost like they were like shapes or something. I think it’s a pretty spiky EP.
You shared that this EP allowed you to push yourself to grow and shed a part of yourself to make room for a newer, more confident version of you. Can you talk us through this?
I think it was just about letting go. It’s making room for this future version of yourself because, you know, when you’re 13, you think everything is everything. You can feel like “oh my God, the world is like this, and it’s so suffocating.” Your brain gives this too much space, when the things you could be filling it with could be more positive. I was like “shoot, maybe I need to grow into a different version of myself.”
Do you think that writing this EP has helped how you’ve internalised and expressed this need for change?
Yeah, I mean, if everything’s influenced by frequency, vibration and energy, then why can’t music be a portal? Some singers are like, “I’m going to go on stage and create a character. I need to unlock this version of myself to sing this song.” I’ve written so many different songs and different characters. It would be cool to eventually develop them over my discography… kind of like a D&D game but in your brain.
What track are you most proud of writing from this bunch?
I really like ‘This City’. I want to make more stuff like that. I like how it’s blending in a lot of different futuristic sounds with ancient tones and how it has those really low frequencies that hit your heart, you know. I also think it was more than a release for me, it made me feel more confident to express myself.
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Since 2022, you’ve run your own indie label Anti Dismal, which manages young artists and puts on all-ages events. What was the spark that led you to creating your own space for young people in the arts?
I started making music and wanting to play shows when I was 12/13, and then at 14, I was like “okay, let’s start. Let’s do something.” I was getting bullied at school, and wanted an alternative space where anything goes; kind of like a little refuge area.
Anti Dismal means happiness; everyone getting together and having that space to be unique. It’s honestly like this weird atom cell where you go in, and can come out as anything. You could go in as an artist and end up a manager, or as a DJ and end up a promoter or a journalist, so anything goes. It’s up to your mind and how you absorb the information when you get there. You can change to be the person you really are, especially when you experience it so young.
Anti Dismal comes from pure passion and enjoying music myself, because the only reason I do all this is because I’m a fan. You don’t start a record label to make money, you do it so you’re able to see more live music, and have the freedom to be able to help and foster that, and make more.
The youth scene in Adelaide is so cool as well. You do some DIY stuff there – like Runt Records and Adelaide Scene, they’re fucking awesome. I really agree with their ethos and being able to have that representation is awesome.
Would you like to shout out any emerging artists you’ve been loving?
Oh my gosh, I have so many people in my head! Adelaide-based, there's JesseMelancholy, and then Baby Teeth are so cool as well. I am a really big fan of Eddie Benjamin right now, I think he's awesome. I also love Drizzz, they're kind of like that UK rap stuff. I'm trying to think of every single artist that has ever existed on planet Earth. There’s too many!
You’re jumping on tour for What Is and What Isn’t in January, performing the EP face-to-face with fans of all ages. How are you anticipating it’s going to be performing these tracks live?
We have a lot of fans who are super interactive with the music during the live performances, especially. I think it’s gonna be super buzzy, seeing people enjoying themselves and being able to sing along, and feeling free to have that moment and being able to be present.
You’re heading to Adelaide for your first headline show in SA at Lion Arts Factory. What should we expect?
I’m really excited to come to Adelaide. Last time I was there, I was playing with aleksiah, and afterwards, I went to this Runt Records mini fest at Ancient World. The venue and the vibes, the people, the crowds and the vibrations I was hearing from the sound system and feeling that in my chest – it was one of my best gig experiences I’ve had. As for the show, I’m still working on it. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but I’ll figure out what exactly soon. It’ll be very fun.
Catch ixaras performing an all-ages show at Lion Arts Factory on Saturday 24 January. Tickets on sale now via moshtix.com.au.
