Azure Ryder has returned. The Sydney singer-songwriter, who first came onto our radar a few years ago, has released her debut album, Even Flowers Can Bruise. The 10-track album is a beautiful, cinematic exploration into coming back to herself. We spoke to the artist about crafting such a personal, introspective album, and her journey to get here:

I just listened to your album this morning. There is so much depth in your songwriting and what you explore here. I remember loving  the EP you put out in 2020, and Oh What a Relief was one of my most-played songs of that year. Your voice and songwriting has evolved so much in such a special way. Tell me about this album, when it started, and what the catalyst was?

Thank you so much. I still can’t quite believe it. For me, 2020 was a long time ago, but it feels like another life almost. It’s really nice to hear that you connected then and now. This album and this process began when I was living in London. I was on the cusp of deciding if I needed to leave and come home. There are a couple of songs on the album that I wrote just before I left, and essentially, it became me documenting, but also trying to understand where I was and where I’d been, and what that journey home became. It was very much a needed thing to do. It was the best decision I made because I also know I wouldn’t have the album, or the things that I had to say, if I didn’t go through what I did prior to that point. I’m definitely the most proud of releasing this body of work because, to this point, it feels like the truest representation of me and how I’ve always wanted to share my music. So, I’m very excited to put that out.

Did you move back from London to Australia?

Yes. I grew up here, on the Northern Beaches. I’m someone that grew up in nature, and that very much became a part of who I am and sculpted me in a lot of ways. The juxtaposition of living in London to living here definitely wore on me in that aspect. I’m still not sure exactly where I land, but I needed to come home, and I’m so grateful to always have this as home. Similarly to being born here and growing up and finding myself here, I needed that same thing to come back to myself. I’m really happy that I’m able to do this now and build from home again.

Do you think you can hear how your time in London has influenced you sonically?

I would say the opposite. I think when I was in London, especially where I wanted to be sonically, I felt like it wasn’t quite in the landscape. In turn, I felt like the things I was doing there were almost me trying on something that wasn’t actually me. That’s what was freeing about coming home. There were no bounds, and I was finally in a space where I felt free. Working with someone like Killian Gavin, who I recorded the album with, meant working with someone who completely embraced me for me and allowed me the space to go where I wanted to go without question. So, if anything, it shows you what you aren’t.

Yeah, totally - it pushes you. How did working with Killian shape the sound of it? Obviously, you felt comfortable enough to be as vulnerable as you are on it, but in terms of the production and everything, what did you learn from that partnership?

I think I learned the value of my voice in that room. Killian, from the beginning, was so encouraging of us having a partnership. I’d definitely come up in this world feeling as if there wasn’t an equal dynamic in rooms, especially when working with producers. I almost felt fearful to entirely share my voice and my opinion because I’d sometimes been made to feel that they had the way, they had the voice, they had the reason. Coming into this experience with Killian was genuinely the most nourishing thing for me. I think it also helped reinstate the joy for me in creating again, and that’s something I felt like I’d lost for a very long time. It was the joy, the freedom and the fun of it. He pushed me to use that even when I questioned myself. Even when it came down to recording guitar, I’d always thought, “That’s the producer’s job, or other people do that. I can’t do this for myself.” And he was like, “No. You’re going to record the bed of these exactly how you play them.” He really brought out my confidence in that space as well. I’m very grateful for that, and he’s definitely someone I learned so much from. I was able to build such a beautiful, trusting relationship with him, and I feel like we very much feel the same about music and how songs are meant to exist to tell stories. You shouldn’t take them where they’re not meant to go.

Tell me about the visuals as well. What did you want to evoke with these songs? What was on your mood board?

When I visualise this album, I see it in the landscape of “Moonrise.” That’s one of the songs on the album, and I’ve always said that moonrise is my favourite time of the day, when the skies are pastel pinks, purples and blues. I very much see this album in that landscape: wide-open space, looking up at the stars. I love the idea of this music being able to exist in wide-open spaces, but also in people’s lives. I think, or I hope, that is what music is for: to exist beyond what’s on here and actually live with people and live in moments where they are offline. Visually, I’ve always been a deep lover of the ’70s world. I do often question if I was born in the wrong time. Anything that evokes that energy and also the romance of it really resonates with me. I’m very much a hopeful romantic instead of a hopeless romantic because I don’t think it is hopeless to be romantic. I love the idea of creating a world in which people want to stay for longer than a moment. I think we’re in a world where everything is so short and quickly sweeping, whereas if I can be a part of creating spaces that people want to exist in and linger in, then that’s what I want to do. I’m much more of a long-form person than I have ever been a short-form person. It’s very hard. Me and a rapid-fire question are not a good combination. I’m much more comfortable in this setting with you, where I’m able to elongate.

Since you started, because it does kind of feel like a new chapter for you as an artist, who have been your north-star artists? Who are the current artists that you’ve watched and been inspired by, or maybe they’re rising artists rather than established?

I would definitely say the one that springs most to mind is Sierra Ferrell. When I came across her, it had been a long time since I felt like I’d really found a current artist where I was the fan. I was so in awe of her and her world, and I wanted to be a part of it. I’m so inspired by her because I think she evokes a true sense of being exactly who she is. You can see it not only in her music but in the world she builds and the community she builds. Everyone is so enthusiastic about being a part of that. Even people going to her shows dress up for them. I think her look is incredible, and people really lean into that. It brings something out in them. I think that’s something so special: to be able to bring something out of people that frees them a little is such an incredible quality to have. For me, seeing her, and also seeing her do that in the landscape of today, gave me a bit of hope that I could hopefully find that place for myself and build that community that I hope to grow alongside.

What advice would you give to younger, rising artists who are right at the beginning and starting to release music and express themselves in this way?

I would say, from the beginning, be exactly who you are. Do everything the way you want to do it. I do believe that a big part of my journey and where I’ve ended up is that I experienced what I did. I was speaking about this the other day - the idea of having to be a little bit delusional to be creative. I also think it’s like that with life in general. I’ve always been someone who jumps first and figures out how to land later. I would say just do that. Jump. You may never know where you’re going to land. Another big thing I feel like I’ve learned is that everything that makes me who I am is in what maybe other people consider to be “too much,” especially as a woman. For young female artists, that thing that makes you special is that extension of yourself. It’s the fullness of who you are. As hard as it is, especially when you’re beginning a journey, don’t listen to everyone else, just like I did, thinking that they knew what was best for you. Anyone who’s telling you to dim yourself, to lessen who you are, or to change something — that’s never going to be the right thing for you, or the thing that leads you into longevity in whatever you’re doing. So, try your best to move in the way that you want to, in the time that you’re in, and just jump. Trust yourself and keep jumping.

That was really thoughtful and also relevant to other people who aren’t artists as well. I think it’s a good reminder that all of this is just being human and living life, regardless of what direction you’re pursuing. I’m really excited for everyone to hear this album. You can hear how much energy, thought and time you’ve put into it, so I’m excited for you.

Thank you so much. I’m really grateful to know that and to hear that, and I’ve been holding onto this for long enough that I just can’t wait to have it out.

Listen to the album HERE.

@azureryder