Hyperpop artist Voidie battles emotional claustrophobia in his new EP, filling in Notion on his ideal dinner party guests, party tricks and more.

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.

Lloyd Garret, better known as his musical alias Voidie, found his musical passion behind a computer screen and a keyboard. Committed to carving his own path, the artist’s awaited upcoming EP ‘Claustrophobic’ is a masterpiece of escapism.

 

Voidie cites his inspirations as artists such as Yung Lean, Drain Gang and 6 Dogs, and the new EP speaks these sonic influences. Opening with track “Gaga”, fans are hit with trap-like drums and a big bassline, before softer “Wyd, clogging arteries”, plays. Lead single “Pushing Daisies” comes alongside intricate visuals, a collaboration between Voidie and director Ollie Steer. The “dark and morbid take on a generally light and happy genre” saw the pair “strive for a piece of art”. 

 

Having written the EP’s first track during the pandemic, the project is creativity driven by the idea of helping listeners get through their own battles. With songwriting serving as an outlet for Voidie’s own mental health, the juxtaposition between joyful and dark elements runs throughout the work. He describes: “I want this to be an escape for people”, “This body of work is a downward spiral into my mind – a deep dive into my battle with addiction, anxiety and depression,” elaborating: “conflicted thoughts which left me feeling claustrophobic.

 

We caught up with the artist as he tells Notion his ideal dinner party guests, party tricks and more. Dive in!

If you could bring three music icons to a dinner party, dead or alive, who would you bring?

Frank Sinatra, Yung Lean and Kurt Cobain. Imagine all three sat around the table in suits, some of the stories that’ll be thrown about will be nuts.

 What’s your pizza topping?

I’ve got a love-hate relationship with pizza, like I’m not supposed to eat it because of my lactose intolerant lifestyle. But, if I could eat it without sitting on the toilet for like three hours, I’d devour a meatball one.

Favourite song at the moment?

I’m obsessed with the new Viagra Boys album ‘cave world’ – my stand out track is defo ‘big boy’.

Three things that inspire you outside of music?

I usually take my dog for a walk to get inspired – to write lyrics n what not, normally first thing in the morning, as it’s my time of self-reflection. But also, just being in nature in general. And then probably my love life.

What has been your biggest pinch-me moment so far?

Getting to work with the band Bad Sounds. After being a huge fan of them and hearing them on FIFA 18 to having worked with them at their studio is mind-boggling.

What’s your party trick?

I can make everyone leave the room by walking in it.
Finish the sentence: I feel happiest when…

I feel happiest the moment after I’ve been productive. There’s that feeling of earning relaxation – otherwise I just pity myself lol.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

This doesn’t really answer the question but I’ve maintained eating a banana a day for god knows how long, so I try to keep up that routine.

What was your last impulse buy?
I’m always buying clothes I don’t need. I’ve been forcing myself every fortnightly to take clothes to my local charity depot because I have clothes spilling outside my room.

Listen to 'claustrophobic' below: