Kaya Byrne Channels Stardust and Soul on Stirring Debut EP ‘Belladonna/Supernova’
Emerging from the creative heart of Naarm (Melbourne), singer songwriter and theatre artist Kaya Byrne has made a bold entrance into the music scene with his debut EP 'Belladonna/Supernova'. A genre blending, emotionally charged project, the eight track release marks a significant milestone for the Canberra raised artist.
Infused with elements of soulful indie rock, singer songwriter intimacy, and flashes of hip-hop, 'Belladonna/Supernova' is as expansive sonically as it is emotionally. At its core, the EP is a vulnerable exploration of love, loss, ambition, and the seductive, and often destructive, pull of fame. Byrne lays bare the tension between aspiration and consequence, crafting a sound that feels both contemporary and timeless.
The EP's origin story is as serendipitous as its sound is cinematic. While touring nationally with the acclaimed musical 'Come From Away' in early 2023, Byrne found himself surrounded by a tight knit group of fellow touring musicians. Between performances, informal jam sessions became regular occurrences. It was during one such session in Newcastle that drummer Cypress Bartlett connected deeply with Byrne’s music and offered to produce his work. By the time the tour reached Adelaide, the two were recording demos in hotel rooms. In Perth, the decision was made: this music needed to be recorded properly.
What followed was a whirlwind of creative momentum. Drawing on the talents of musicians around them, Byrne and Bartlett hit the studio, capturing the essence of this spontaneous yet deeply personal musical chapter. The result is a body of work that feels immediate and honest, yet refined in its production. The EP was ultimately co-produced by Byrne and Bartlett, with mixing by ARIA Award-winner Adrian Breakspear and mastering by Ben Feggans, adding polish without losing its raw emotional power.
Themes of internal conflict and the fragility of artistic ambition are woven throughout the record. Byrne’s lyrical voice, poetic, self-aware, and often tinged with melancholy, wrestles with questions many artists face. What does it mean to chase recognition? What toll does that pursuit take on the soul? And what’s left when dreams don’t unfold as expected?
Moments of warmth and connection shimmer through the songs, hinting at the healing power of love, the catharsis of creative expression, and the quiet resilience of starting again.
Originally from Canberra, Kaya Byrne relocated to Melbourne in 2014 to pursue a career in theatre. Over the years, his work on stage has taken him across Australia, but music has remained a deeply personal lifeline, an outlet for expression when the lights go down and the curtain falls.
With 'Belladonna/Supernova', Byrne emerges not just as a capable performer, but as a compelling storyteller in his own right.
Kaya Byrne will be celebrating the release of 'Belladonna/Supernova' with a live performance at the Paris Cat Jazz Club on April 28th.
Find Tickets here