Fluir Higher Ground Interview

Electronic Luminaries with a Pop and Dance Aspect

Empowered songwriter and producer Fluir has announced her stellar new single Higher Ground, a hook-laden, uplifting track that encourages listeners to break away from the dull routines that can sometimes take over our lives, out May 17. The upcoming electronic artist worked with the renowned producer Sam Littlemore (Pnau, Tonite Only) on the exciting new track.

Higher Ground is one of those songs that manages to combine a number of different genres – dance, pop, electronic – in a sophisticated, not to mention inherently catchy, way. Evocative of the work of artists such as RÜFÜS DU SOL, Kilter and Alice Ivy, Higher Ground drives forward with propelling percussion, intricate production and gentle, assured vocals from Fluir. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the track, Fluir says, "In the past I've spent unnecessary energy worrying about what to say and how to say it lyrically. For this song, I wanted to be free from that and allow the music to be at the forefront. This track is about the freedom and excitement of getting lost in music and chasing the night with friends, wherever that may lead."

Produced alongside Sam Littlemore of Pnau, Higher Ground is for lovers of the dancefloor. Fluir offers a little insight into her experience working with Sam, as she describes, "I wrote Higher Ground with Sam Littlemore while recording and producing my previous two singles Change and Feeling For You, both released last year. I spent a couple weeks at Sam's home studio in Sydney where we worked together on all three tracks simultaneously. I performed Higher Ground live while recently supporting Nyxen on her Australian tour and the crowd seemed to connect with it, so I'm really excited about this release."

Fluir is not only a killer musician, but also an Environmental Consultant. After reducing her work hours and relocating to Sydney to pursue music as a full-time career, Fluir has really hit her stride; sold out shows, triple j airplay and several festival appearances suggest big things to come. Sharing a little insight into what inspires her as an artist, Fluir enthuses, "I'm constantly inspired by fellow DIY musicians and artists. Being a self-managed independent artist, being able to connect and collaborate with like-minded creatives always inspires me."

Interview with Fluir

Question: How would you describe your music?

Fluir: My music is a mix of electro-dance and pop, with some 80s synth influences. 'Fluir' means to 'ebb and flow'.


Question: What inspired the creation of Higher Ground?

Fluir: I wrote Higher Ground with Sam Littlemore while recording and producing my previous two singles Change and Feeling For You, both released last year. I spent a couple weeks at Sam's home studio in Sydney where we worked together on all three tracks simultaneously.

I've always wanted to write a dance record. In the past I've spent unnecessary energy worrying about what to say and how to say it lyrically. For this song, I wanted to be free from that and allow the music to be at the forefront. This song is about the freedom and excitement of getting lost in the music and chasing the night with friends, wherever that may lead.


Question: What was it like working with Sam Littlemore on Higher Ground?

Fluir: I'm still pinching myself having had the opportunity to work alongside Sam. I'm a huge fan of his work.

Being a self-managed independent artist is sometimes difficult in that you don't have as many resources or an extensive team to easily bounce ideas off. Sam really took me under his wing and taught me a lot about the industry and helped me focus in on what I really wanted to achieve with my project.


Question: How does it feel to hear your music on the radio?

Fluir: It feels very surreal. You spend your whole life dreaming about what it would be like up until that point. So when it eventually happens it feels like you're living inside of a dream.


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Fluir: I love the thrill of the chase in sitting down to write and never knowing what you might come up with. Also gratitude motivates me a lot. Being able to write and have the resources to create music is something I'm very grateful for. There are a lot of people in this world that will never have access to even a laptop.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Fluir: I'd probably prefer recording if I had to choose between the two, however ideally I always like having a mixture of both on the go.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Fluir: Some of the artists I'm currently listening are: Sparrows, Antony and Cleopatra, Pnau, The Aston Shuffle, MO and Billie Eilish.

Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Fluir: Ever since I can remember, I've always been fascinated by music. My most vivid childhood memories all stem from music related scenarios. Growing up, my parents made me learn classical piano, which I hated but at the same time I'm grateful for in retrospect. I ended up finishing AMEB 8th Grade in piano; however my heart has always been in contemporary music. When I was 13, I became obsessed with the guitar and pop/punk/rock music. I begged my parents to buy me a guitar and they eventually caved. That's when I first started songwriting.

The moment that really lit my flame for me in terms of wanting to become an artist was when my sister won two tickets to see Missy Higgins perform Live at the Wireless Triple J. I was only around 15 at the time and my sister let me go with her. It was my first ever-proper gig. It absolutely blew me away. To see a home-grown artist making a career out of music and not some far-removed band from overseas, that's when it really hit home. From that day on I knew I wanted to be an artist.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Fluir: I'd be intrigued to work with Grimes. I feel like she would extract some weird and wonderful ideas from me that I never knew I had. I'd also like to collaborate with HAIM, purely so I could hang out with Este Haim. She seems like a lot of fun.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Fluir: I work three days a week as an Environmental Consultant with the remaining days of the week (and most weekends) spent focusing on my music.

A typical day depends heavily on what commitments I have coming up, whether that be writing/producing/collaborating, rehearsing or working on self-management tasks (e.g. applying for gigs, budgeting, release plans, liaising with my team regarding distribution, radio plugging, online press etc). I also try go for a run. I'm currently training for a 30km run in September so need get fit!


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Fluir: I love the entrepreneurial lifestyle. I also love being able to express myself creatively and working alongside fellow like-minded creatives.

Question: Can you share your socials?

Fluir:  www.fluirmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/fluirmusic/
@fluirmusic/
https://twitter.com/fluirmusic?lang=en


Interview by Brooke Hunter