Lilli Fairfax is an upcoming artist in the world of country/folk/pop music. Hailing from the small town of Maitland, NSW, and now calling the Sunshine Coast, QLD home, Lilli is a singer-songwriter whose music radiates with the warmth of her coastal lifestyle and her country town roots.

As our featured musician for November, we sat down with Lilli to discover her music journey and how she impacts people through her beautiful lyrics. Here's what she said...

Lilli, Tell us about your music journey. How did your love of music start, what drew you to music?
I grew up with music playing in our household 24/7 and playing Singstar with my sister when I was really young. But I think the real music journey began when I was 12 and I got gifted a guitar for my birthday. I sat on my bed for hours after school everyday teaching myself how to play so I could start busking at local markets of a weekend. I did this for a few years during my teens but then slowly lost my passion for performing.

I’d pick up my guitar every now and then but it definitely wasn’t an everyday thing. A couple of years ago when I was 23, I began going to open mics in Newcastle at a place called The Rogue Scholar and I was instantly inspired by all the amazing musicians. My love for music was reborn when I realised I could bring others joy through my voice.

Tell us about your sound, how would you describe your music?

My sound I would say is predominantly country with a mix of folk and pop. I love telling stories through my songs and I believe my love for most genres can be heard through my music. 

When you create music, what impact do you hope to have? 

Through creating music, I aim to inspire others to embark on their own transformations and follow their hearts to make the most out of this beautiful life we’ve been gifted. 

What do you enjoy about playing a gig on the Sunshine Coast?

I love the Sunshine Coast community! I’ve only been here for just over a year but I now happily call the Coast home. There are lots of venues supporting local musicians and the audience are always engaging. I love playing chill gigs at cafes and then changing it up to playing party tunes to drunk people for a late night bar or pub gig! There’s lots of variety on the coast which is what I enjoy the most. 

What music or musicians influence you?

I have many musical influences but my top favourites are Missy Higgins, Alanis Morissette, Miley Cyrus, Kyle Lionhart and Lainey Wilson. 

What do you love about being a musician?

I love the freedom to travel whilst also working, although it doesn’t feel like work most of the time. I love the connections and friends I make through music and performing and when people are moved and impacted from my original songs.

I love the lifestyle I’m able to live as a musician and having the time for my other hobbies and passions eg. yoga and surfing. These activities provide the balance of flow and stillness which I believe is so important as a musician to incorporate into my daily routine as it allows even more room for inspiration to come in. 

What does culture mean to you?

To me culture means coming together as a community to share with one another our passions and talents and most importantly, our love. 

Fast Five: What’s your favourite...

Instrument: Acoustic guitar 

Drink: Cacao with coconut milk 

Food: This is so hard to choose a favourite but for now I’ll say a good steak and roasted veggies 

Song: Also very hard to choose one song. One of my favourites at the moment is ‘Don’t Forget Me’ - Maggie Rogers 

Place: Northern Rivers and the Sunny Coast 

Love live music? Join us for a sunset cruise where local and touring artists like Lilli make for an unforgettable sunset session on the Sunshine Coast.