With 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a whirlwind year of non-stop touring, Hazlett has cemented himself as one of the most compelling singer-songwriters of the moment. The Australian artist has been captivating audiences with his introspective lyrics and atmospheric melodies, playing over 70 shows across the globe, including opening for LANY on their North American tour. Fresh off his own sold-out show at London’s Lafayette, Hazlett sat down to talk about his journey, his creative process, and what lies ahead.
Why music? Why this path?
Yeah, at some point, I feel like everyone gets asked this question, and it’s hard to articulate. I’ve always loved writing. That part was clear to me early on. But being a songwriter? That wasn’t something I immediately imagined. It clicked when I went to a music festival in Australia at 14. Kings of Leon were playing in the early afternoon—it wasn’t even a prime slot—but I walked in, saw them perform, and thought, I want to do that.
At 18, I joined a band as a bassist, and that was my first step into the music world. Singing came much later—at 25. Honestly, I never thought of myself as a singer, but it became a necessity. At one point, I was back in Australia working at an advertising agency, basically as an unpaid intern. A friend who worked at a pub asked if I could sing and play guitar for $300. I wasn’t great, but I needed the money, so I gave it a shot. That gig started my journey as a performer.
From there, it just grew. I got tired of covering other people’s songs and started writing my own. One night, I performed a set of originals, and the pub manager fired me because the songs were “too sad.” He told them never to hire me again. I guess I’ve always been chasing authenticity in music, even when it wasn’t easy.
What inspires you as a songwriter?
People. It’s a cliché answer, but people are endlessly fascinating. Whether it’s someone I’ve known intimately or just observed from afar, everyone’s life is a mix of highs, lows, and interconnections. Even strangers have a whole world of emotions and stories.
I’m a people watcher. Seeing how lives intersect is inspiring. That curiosity about human connection fuels my songs.
You’ve been touring non-stop this year. What’s that been like?
It’s been an incredible whirlwind. I’ve done about 70 shows in two and a half months, and that’s just on this leg of the tour. Earlier this year, I opened for LANY on their North American tour, which was a dream. They’re amazing to watch and learn from, and their fans are so passionate.
Now being on the road headlining my own shows has been surreal. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Meeting people who connect with my music makes it all feel very real.
What’s the best part of touring?
Meeting people. It’s ironic because I’m an introvert, but there’s something so rewarding about connecting with people in real life.
In the digital world, we get obsessed with numbers—streams, stats, followers. I used to get caught up in that, especially early on when things fluctuated. But then you meet someone after a show who tells you how your song impacted their life, and that’s incomparable. It’s real, tangible. Those moments remind me why I do this.
Do you notice differences between audiences in the U.S. and Europe?
Oh, definitely. Americans are very open—they’ll tell you how they feel about your music right away. Europeans are more reserved. I remember standing at the door in Stockholm, greeting people as they arrived, and no one wanted to talk to me!
It was a stark contrast after the U.S. tour, where I’d have full conversations before and after shows. In Europe, you have to break the ice a bit. But once you do, they’re incredibly warm.
Your recent EP, Chasing the Valley Low, came in two parts. Can you tell us about that?
It started with a trip to a cabin on Sweden’s west coast. The plan was to write an EP there—just disconnect and create. That experience shaped the first part. When I returned to the studio, I tried to move on to something new, but I kept being drawn back to the cabin’s themes.
It felt like unfinished business. The first part raised questions I hadn’t fully answered, so I went back to a cabin, this time in a different season, to write the second part.
What’s the message behind the EP?
It’s brutally introspective. I spent a lot of time examining who I am and why I am the way I am. I’ve always considered myself a loner, but instead of just accepting it, I wanted to dig deeper.
Out in the cabin, away from the distractions of city life and without internet, I was left with my thoughts. The songs are a result of that self-reflection. Writing music has always been therapeutic for me—it’s like a form of self-psychotherapy. Even when a song seems sad, it’s me working through something and finding the silver lining.
Tonight’s show in London is sold out! How does that feel?
It’s incredible. Thanks for reminding me of the pressure, though! (laughs) Honestly, I’ve stopped worrying so much about external expectations. I’m not trying to chase industry standards. It’s just me, telling stories, and sharing my music with people who connect with it.
What’s next for you?
Moving into the next musical era. I want to go sonically bigger, experiment with fuller band arrangements. Touring solo has been great, but I’d love to have that camaraderie on stage—to feed off other musicians’ energy.
And I dream of doing something collaborative, like a Fleetwood Mac-style album with someone like Maggie Rogers or Aoife McMahon. It has to be a whole album, though—not just a single.
After a year of relentless touring, including a sold-out show at Lafayette, Hazlett’s journey feels like it’s just getting started. With 3 million monthly listeners and a fanbase that spans continents, he’s proving that authenticity and connection are timeless qualities in music. Whether performing solo or dreaming of bigger, collaborative projects, Hazlett is an artist driven by purpose and passion. Whatever comes next, we can’t wait to hear it.
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Words by Sal F. & Photos by Gianmarco R.
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