- Words Notion Staff
- Photography Milly Cope
- Styling Amy Holden-Brown
We caught up with Irish alt-pop artist April to discuss her current obsessions, as well as her go-to karaoke songs and love of whiskey sours.
Welcome to Fresh Face, a quick-fire interview series spotlighting the best rising talents in today’s youthful music scene. From biggest pet peeves to party tricks and death row meals, we’re stripping things back from the formal Q&A format. Think of it like speed dating, but with some of the freshest music makers worth discovering.
Hailing from Ireland’s County Kildare and now based in London, 22 year-old April Lawlor, known as April, is set for a big year. Her introduction came in late 2019 after a self-released Soundcloud track started picking up momentum. April’s first EP ‘New Conditions’ was released in early 2020 during lockdown, and her second, ‘Luna’ consisted of four tracks crafted entirely via a series of Zoom calls between April, Fred Macpherson and rising Irish rapper Kojaque. As a new voice from the Irish scene, standout singles like “The Impossible Task of Feeling Complete” have since racked up over a million Spotify streams.
Her new single, “Someone That I Made”, is an ode to her rural Irish roots, produced by Clarence Clarity. April has described how for her, the track is about “being away from comfort and missing family and safe familiar places, it’s about growing up and realizing everything you need is already there no matter where you go.” In true lockdown fashion, the track was written alone in her bedroom, without April or Clarence ever meeting.
We asked April our burning questions about what she’d do with a time machine, her ideal three-course meal, secret love for show-tunes, and more.
If I was transported back to 2019 I would of course become some sort of superhero and save the world from Coronavirus ever existing.
One thing you want to change about the music industry?
One thing I’d change about the music industry is how little money streaming music actually makes, I’d make it so that ppl get loads of money and everyone can be rich and buy mansions.
What are you currently obsessed with?
I’m currently obsessed with playing Spider-Man on the PlayStation and Jack Harlow.
Finish the sentence: I feel happiest when…
I feel happiest when I’m with my family, everyone’s in a good mood and we’re all together.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
My go-to karaoke song has to be “Belle” from Beauty and the Beast or “Elephant Love Medley” from Moulin Rouge orrrr anything from Hairspray.
Which three courses of food would you serve at a dinner party?
Three courses I’d serve at a dinner party would be:
Starter – homemade soup cuz I’m addicted to soup and soup is my favourite food.
Main – some sort of creamy tomato pasta with lots of cheese.
Dessert – banoffee pie, the best dessert in the world, I make it with a tiny bit of cinnamon added and it’s the nicest shit ever.
What song always makes you smile?
“BDE” by shygirl and slowthai, guaranteed to make me smile every time 🙂
Wine, cocktails or beer?
COCKTAILS every time, I spend way too much money on cocktails, whiskey sour is my favourite.
Best and worst thing that’s happened to you recently?
Best thing that’s happened to me recently has been being at home for Christmas with my family and just relaxing and doing nothing. The worst thing that’s happened to me recently was getting my bloods taken and the nurse burst my vein, really fun..
Biggest goal for 2022?
Biggest goal for 2022 is to have a viral song on TikTok hahahaha, gotta be honest.