1. Your Profile

Classically trained violinist turned indie-electronic songmaker. I try to make my music sound like Grimes or FKA Twigs with violin. A cool term to describe my sound is ‘folktronica’ – which means a blend of acoustic instruments, folky songwriting and electronic sounds. Basically, I think lyrics are important and beats are cool, and violin is the only real instrument I can properly play, so it has to be involved somehow.

2. Keeping Busy

Sadly, school’s been keeping me busy. The idea of studying keeps me busy – trying to study, failing, writing music instead. In between school terms I’ve been playing little local gigs more and more frequently, but I’m about to stop that and actually study hard because I’ve got my HSC coming up at the end of next term.

3. Best Gig Ever

Supporting Twin Caverns at the Oxford Art Factory last month. Firstly, Twin Caverns are just so cool, it was awesome to even just watch them do a soundcheck (unfortunately we couldn’t watch their real set because we’re under 18 and we got booted out). Secondly, the sound system was amazing. Definitely the most technically flawless gig I’ve ever played – we could hear ourselves crystal clear, which I think is vital for a good performance.

4. Current Playlist

I’ve been listening to Alpine’s new album Yuck quite a bit recently, it’s awesome! I also recently went through a stage of listening to Radiohead’s entire discography (well, mostly Kid A and onwards) very thoroughly – there is so much to be discovered in returning to Radiohead again and again; I find it only gets better with every listen. Same with Grimes. Before that, I was going through a Laura Marling obsession, around the time her album Short Movie came out. My favourite album of hers is Once I Was An Eagle; I listen to that heaps. I bought tickets to see her in November just the other day – so excited!

5. Your Ultimate Rider

I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had to write a rider – the gigs we’ve played have all been too small, it’s been more than enough to even have the opportunity to perform my music! However, I have fantasised a little about a dream rider. It would definitely include a cat and lots of chocolate. No plastic or bottled water either.

Lupa J appears at Future Is Now with Spirals, Suiix and Trip Fontaine, taking place on Sunday July 12 at The Bald Faced Stag.