After years of songwriting, Effie Isobel has officially entered a new chapter with the release of her debut EP Libra Rising. Across five tracks, the Adelaide artist explores authenticity, queerness, empowerment, romance and self-discovery, while bringing her signature sense of lightness and whimsy to each song. With headline shows in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne on the horizon — alongside under-18 pop-up events — Effie is ready to take the EP out into the world and see where it leads.
Futuremag: Congratulations on Libra Rising being out in the world. How does it feel to have these songs become a body of work that people can finally hear?
Effie Isobel: It’s kind of a crazy feeling, to be honest. It’s so strange to put so much work, time and energy into something and then suddenly have it be tangible. It’s a very surreal feeling.
Futuremag: Do you remember the first time you physically held your work, like when you received the CDs?
Effie Isobel: Yeah, it was crazy. I filmed an unboxing video when I was holding the CD for the first time and I was like, “Oh, this is so crazy.” There’s something really beautiful about physical media as well. I’m really glad that I decided to do CDs because I don’t know if I was planning to the whole time, but having something you can actually touch and feel, and then give to listeners as well, is really special.
Futuremag: The EP explores feelings of empowerment, transformation and self-discovery. Was there a particular feeling you wanted to explore, or did those themes naturally evolve as you were writing?
Effie Isobel: Originally, I hadn’t intended for these songs to be part of a broader work. They just kind of came together over time. I think the biggest thing for me was making sure they were as authentic as they could be. They’re very representative of what I was feeling at the time.
‘Moon Made,’ for example, is definitely quite an empowering, witchy song, whereas something like ‘Higher Gear’ is a lot more bouncy and whimsical. For me, the most important thing is that it’s really authentic.
Futuremag: ‘Honey Drunk’ is particularly personal, exploring your queerness and that experience of compulsory heterosexuality. What made you want to tell that story through song?
Effie Isobel: ‘Honey Drunk’ is definitely the most personal song I think I’ve ever written. It just happened. I live in a house that’s usually very, very loud, and there were a couple of days when it was really quiet. Suddenly I had all these ideas bouncing around, and that was what came out.
I wrote it in two relatively short sessions, just on my keyboard on the floor in my room. When I finished it, I felt like it kind of wasn’t mine anymore. It existed out in the world, and I just thought, “I feel like I should release this.” It makes me feel really grateful that people have heard it and understood the message.
Futuremag: ‘Moon Made’ won Best Music Video at the SA Music Awards, and the song explores both your queerness and your Greek heritage. What were you able to explore visually in the music video that you couldn’t necessarily convey through the audio?
Effie Isobel: Honestly, just creating a little visual world for that song was so satisfying. I try to bring as many visual themes into my music as I can, but something about a music video means you can really tell people exactly how you want them to be feeling.
A big inspiration for that music video was ’80s horror movies, while keeping everything really campy. I think it turned out really cute.
Futuremag: ‘Slow Motion’ has also become a fan favourite, even before the EP was released. What do you think it is about that song that people connect with so much?
Effie Isobel: That’s a good question. I think it’s one of the slower songs in my repertoire. It’s another very personal song, and it was one that I felt was a no-brainer and that I needed to release.
I think it’s very romantic. It’s just a very “yearn” song, and I think people resonate with that feeling.
Futuremag: You’re now taking the EP on the road. What are you most excited about with the tour?
Effie Isobel: I’m most excited to meet new people. I’ve never headlined in Sydney or Melbourne, and I’ve never even been to Sydney before, so I’m really excited about the new connections I’m going to be able to make.
I’m also running VIP for the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide shows, and I think it’ll be really special to chat and hang out with people before the show starts.
Futuremag: You’ve also organised some under-18 pop-up events alongside the tour, which is such a great initiative. Why was accessibility so important to you?
Effie Isobel: In my hometown, my biggest fan base is pretty much all underage. They’re these young girls who are honestly doing so much for the music industry. They show up to every gig, they’re so present, they buy merch — it really is such a special thing.
I just knew that I had to give back to those audiences in the places where I can’t do all-ages gigs.
Futuremag: We’ve talked about the EP being a journey of self-discovery. What have you learned about yourself, both personally and as an artist, that you maybe hadn’t considered before making this body of work?
Effie Isobel: I think I maybe had doubts about whether I was actually able to commit to finishing something. You can really get in your head and feel quite doubtful about what you’re capable of.
Pushing through was obviously really worthwhile, and I feel like I’ve learned about my own ability to commit to a project.
Futuremag: How did you know when Libra Rising was finished and you were ready to put it out into the world?
Effie Isobel: I’d originally planned to put a different song on the EP, which still remains unreleased. It wasn’t until I had that moment writing ‘Honey Drunk,’ where I finished it relatively quickly, that I thought, “Oh no, I think this should be the fifth song on the EP.”
Once that song existed and was finished, I was like, “Okay, yeah, no, these are the five songs.”
Futuremag: If someone is discovering you for the first time through Libra Rising, what do you hope they take away from it?
Effie Isobel: I think I just try to bring a sense of lightness to everything. I don’t think everything needs to feel so heavy all the time. There’s just enough heaviness everywhere in the world.
I think you can approach life with a little bit more lightness and whimsy. That’s probably the main thing.
Futuremag: You’ve just released your debut EP and you’re heading out on tour, so it might be difficult to look too far ahead, but where would you like to go from here?
Effie Isobel: I’m really keen — now that I know I’m able to make an EP and I’ve done it before, I’m keen to make more. I’m really excited about doing some co-writing as well. That’ll be something new to explore because I predominantly just write by myself or with one of my bandmates.
Now that I know how to do it, I just want to dive in and see if I can release a new EP next year.
Futuremag: Who are some artists you’d love to co-write with?
Effie Isobel: Good question. I think artists that I’ve supported before, I’d love to co-write with. Lex. Aleksiah is one of my friends and is just an angel, so I’d love to do some writing with Lex, if you’re reading this.
Also Darcie Haven — I really love her music as well. They’re both great artists.