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photo credit Hannah Gray Hall

We love a lifestyle stalwart, someone who embodies the journey of artistry: the balance of art with work, making passion count when the hours are short, and the days are long. Felicity is a proper stalwart, an artist who left her home of Perth, venturing to NYC and now Nashville to make the music work for her, challenging herself and collecting the burdensome weight life throws at you when chasing your dreams. On 4pm in The Morning, Felicity delves into the heady turmoil and feelings that flummox us as night spans into dawn. In her own words, and brilliantly summarized the “emotional jet lag” of life seems to marinate at night, and the EP is a flashlight of sonic self awareness that guides the listening into the darkness willingly. Wanting to catch up on the amazing EP and so much more, we spoke to Felicity via the inter webs, and found out whats happens at four in the morning here:

OnesToWatch: So, Felicity, my first question—why are you an artist?

Felicity: I just am. That’s how I was born. I couldn’t be anything else even if I tried.

Okay, but say music was off the table—no talent, no ability—what then?

Honestly, I’d probably be adrift. Music is the only thing that fulfills me. Maybe I’d work with dogs or something. But yeah—music is everything.

When did you first write something you felt was meant to be shared, not just for yourself?

I was born in Australia and then was between South Africa and there, and now I'm here in Nashville. But, my neighbor's mom passed away and she had nowhere to keep her piano. So, we had this piano and I would hear songs I liked and look up the chords and find out how to play the chords and then I’d write my own stuff over the chords. I was such a cocky little teenager that I would hear a song and be like “oh I could do that”. So since I've been humbled massively but I just remember thinking I like doing this and it doesn't seem that hard and then as I got more into songwriting I realized how hard it is.

I love that. Being humbled is definitely, you know, the first step to being a great creative. What’s changed most about your writing process since then?

When I was younger, I didn’t have much to say—just liked how certain words sounded together. I think going through the writing process and growing up and having different experiences now I have only ever written about things that I've gone through that are worth writing about or things very close to me that I need to process. So I have to write in order to process it. It’s like therapy. The writing is visceral—it helps me understand what I’m going through. As opposed to just like when I was a kid, being like those words sound cool together.

Do you ever find yourself chasing experiences—good or bad—because you know they’ll spark songs?

Felicity: No need. They throw themselves at me.

What’s your writing process like now? Any consistent methods?

I jot down ideas in my phone—lyrics, concepts, melodies, piano parts. There’s no set formula. But if something hits me emotionally, I usually write about it before I even process it. Writing helps me take a step back.

Do you write constantly? Like, do you have a vault of unreleased songs?

I write a lot. I had a dry spell after finishing the EP, but when I'm in it, I’m in it. I’ll write a bunch and then narrow it down. I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t at least get an idea.

How do you choose which songs make the cut?

It’s partly about time period and concept. Songs I write around the same time usually thread together thematically. Also, not everything you write is great—it might not come out how you envisioned. For the EP, it took about a year from first to last track. The songs that made it were the ones I was most emotionally connected to.

What do you hope listeners take away from the EP?

That you're not alone. So many of the things we go through feel isolating, but everyone’s dealing with stuff. Whether you're in your teens, 20s, 30s—different reasons, same feelings. I hope the music makes people feel a little more understood.

If this EP takes off the way you want, what’s the dream outcome?

A tour. Doesn’t matter how many people show up—just want folks who connect with the music and want to ride the journey with me. I’d love to meet more fans face to face.

You’ve had a pretty global upbringing. Any dream places to tour?

I’d love to tour Australia. I’ve never performed there, but we’re getting some love down there and it’d be amazing to go back.

Dream lineup—anyone alive or dead. Who are you performing with?

I’d want to open for Queen—the OG lineup. Also, Alanis Morissette—Jagged Little Pill taught me how to combine raw emotion with authenticity. And Hozier. He’s one of my favorites ever.

You come off a global tour. All your dreams came true. Where are you celebrating?

If there’s no budget—Cape Town. I’d show everyone the local spots, no tourist traps. It’s paradise.

Give us a Cape Town must-see.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. It backs up onto Table Mountain and has the most diverse plant life in Africa. They hold concerts there—beach in front, mountains behind. It’s magical.

What do you do to reset or get inspired when writer’s block hits?

Pilates helps. But honestly, I get blocked when life feels too easy. Like, my car died while I was driving it the other day and that gave me so many ideas. Even stress can inspire.

Got any general advice for people trying to balance art and life?

Prioritize your health and happiness. Everything else stems from that. Who you surround yourself with matters, too. I learned that the hard way when I lived in New York—I partied too much, made bad choices, and it hurt my creativity. It all connects.

Anyone you want to shout out—artists you love that deserve more shine?

Carla Geneve, an Australian artist. Her song “Yesterday’s Closer” is amazing. Also, Julia Jacklin—she’ll rip your heart out with a song.

Final words?

You are the company you keep. And please—stream the EP. I still work two days behind a bar!