Seventeen and Soaring: Lotte Gallagher Celebrates Her Debut EP 'A Better Feeling'
Music has always been woven into the fabric of Lotte Gallagher’s life. Growing up in the inner north of Melbourne, she was immersed in the sounds of iconic artists like Portishead, Jeff Buckley, and Nirvana. Attending local shows with her parents fostered a profound love and appreciation for music that would shape her future.
It’s no wonder that at the age of 14, Lotte took the plunge into creating music herself. She learned guitar online and began penning her first songs.
“I've never been good at writing a diary, so for me, writing songs is a way to think about things and get out how I'm feeling”
In 2023, Lotte burst onto the scene with her anthem debut single, ‘Adam’, earning her a spot as a Triple J 'Unearthed' High finalist. This breakthrough moment propelled her into the spotlight. After signing with indie label Liberation Records and Mushroom Management last September, she quickly became a sought after performer, gracing stages at summer festivals like Laneway, NYE on the Hill, and St Kilda Fest. She also had the opportunity to support Canadian rockers The Beaches and indie sensation Ricky Montgomery on their national tours.
Now, at just 17 and in her final year of high school, Lotte is set to release her debut EP 'A Better Feeling'. This confident and captivating collection blends the effortless cool of contemporary indie stars like Phoebe Bridgers and Angie McMahon with the nostalgic energy of the 90s rock that influenced her upbringing. The EP is filled with infectious melodies, driven by shimmering guitars, Lotte's commanding vocals, and her poignant yet heartfelt lyrics.
The seven tracks on the EP are connected by colour, sound, and emotion, exploring themes ranging from heartbreak and anger to moving on. The soaring ‘Gasoline’ kicks off the EP with Lotte's rich metaphors, seamlessly transitioning into the anthem ‘Adam’ and ‘Gray’. The acoustic focus of ‘Heavy’, one of her earliest compositions reflecting on her first relationship, contrasts beautifully with the serene ‘Falling Through’, which offers a moment of sonic respite before closing tracks ‘Blue’ and ‘This Room’ bring everything full circle, showcasing her powerful vocals.
These songs represent Lotte’s artistic and personal evolution, chronicling her journey from her early teenage years to the present.
“There's definitely a theme of growing, mental health issues, and learning about how to deal with relationships, just figuring it all out"
Many of the songs originated as raw lyrics jotted down on her phone, capturing fleeting thoughts and emotions. Lotte collaborated with industry veterans Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy) and Ali Barter, whose extensive experience in songwriting and production helped refine her vision.
“Writing songs is really easy with them, creatively we're very similar, It’s so much more fun than writing on my own because I'm not coming from a place of sadness.”
The EP’s title is inspired by a refrain in the closing track ‘This Room’
“When I start leaving, I just need a better feeling”
For Lotte, the act of writing and recording this collection, much like life itself, encapsulates a journey towards optimism.
“The whole EP is me writing, getting it out, and having a better feeling afterwards, It’s kind of optimistic, no matter what you have going on, there's a better feeling at the end.”
As Lotte Gallagher continues to carve her path in the music world, her debut EP promises to resonate deeply with listeners, capturing the essence of growing up and finding hope amid life’s challenges, 'A Better Feeling' is out 4th October.