The launch of LANI
Photo by Stephanie Cammarno
Australian singer-songwriter LANI is celebrating the release of her debut single ‘Chameleon’, a track that she co-wrote with her musical mentor Gary Pinto and is out this week via the ASM label. We caught up with LANI to chat about the making of ‘Chameleon’, what it’s like to work with an Aussie music legend and her dream to perform at Spilt Milk.
Congratulations LANI on your debut single ‘Chameleon’! How did you celebrate its release?
Thank you! Primarily I will have a quiet celebration with my closest family members, going out for dinner. However, next month is my 21st so we will be celebrating the release with all my family and friends as well as my birthday.
For those that haven’t heard the track, how do you describe your sound?
I’d describe the sound as ethereal and delicate, like a dream caught on vinyl. It has a vintage elegance—soft, textured, and slightly nostalgic—blending airy melodies with a timeless, cinematic feel. It's the kind of track that feels both fragile and rich, like something you'd hear floating through an old film.
Tell us about your song, what inspired the writing of ‘Chameleon’?
Chameleon was inspired by someone I knew who had this uncanny ability to shape-shift depending on who they were around — On the surface, they seemed charming and adaptable, but underneath, it was all a performance. The song explores that idea of hiding your true self behind a carefully crafted facade — how some people become so good at playing a role that you’re never quite sure who they really are. It’s a mix of frustration and fascination,
“with Chameleon, I had to be careful not to overcomplicate the message”
Did you face any challenges in the creation of ‘Chameleon’?
Definitely. One of the biggest challenges was reining myself in thematically. I tend to gravitate towards writing about betrayal — it’s a thread that runs through a lot of my work — and with Chameleon, I had to be careful not to overcomplicate the message. It was tempting to layer on every angle of deceit and manipulation, but I realized the power of this song came from its clarity and focus. So the challenge was really about restraint: saying just enough to capture that sense of duality and hidden motives, without drowning the listener in too many ideas at once.
You worked with musical genius Gary Pinto on the single, what was that experience like?
It was an amazing experience. I currently study music at Monash University where we are taught the skills required to work in the industry with professionals- however, I was grateful enough to have that experience throughout my studies, working alongside Gary. The songwriting skills I have developed since working with Gary, have taken the quality of my style to a whole new level. I have sung and worked with many melodies and themes that I may not have ever thought to work with if I had not met Gary- therefore, demonstrating how grateful I am to have this opportunity.
“The sound is delicate in places, rich and cinematic in others, with lots of space to breathe and feel.”
‘Chameleon’ is set to feature on your forthcoming EP. When is that due to come out and what can fans expect from this body of work?
There’s no set release date just yet — I’m still in the final stages of shaping the project — but this EP has become a real emotional journey for me. It moves through themes of love, heartbreak, longing, and identity, capturing both the beauty and the ache that come with being human. Chameleon sits right at the heart of it — that idea of shifting and hiding parts of yourself to survive emotionally really sets the tone for the rest of the songs. Musically, it leans into a sense of timeless elegance. I’ve tried to create something that feels classic but still emotionally raw — something you could play years from now and still feel its weight. The sound is delicate in places, rich and cinematic in others, with lots of space to breathe and feel. It’s not just a collection of songs — it’s a body of work that tells a story from start to finish, full of moments that are both vulnerable and refined.
Will you be touring for the EP after its delivery?
Touring is definitely something I would love to do. With the release of the singles, I will be following up with gigs which I am super ecstatic about. And once the Ep is released I believe a tour will definitely be something I am looking at.
With festival season coming, would you like to be included on the rosters of any festivals or events in particular?
I am a huge fan of live music festivals and I love to go and watch my favourite artists! Everytime I attend a festival I always imagine what it would be like to perform on any of the stages, it truly is something I have always dreamt about. I would 100% love to be included on the roster of any festival as I find it such a great way to present up and coming musicians, particularly Spilt Milk festival.
“My ultimate DJ collab would be with Darren Styles”
Your beautiful vocals have already seen you being sought after for collabs, most recently with DJ Mju for ‘Jungle Ride’. Would you like to do more collaboration work in the future? Who would be your ultimate collab partner and why?
Yes, definitely! I love the opportunity to collaborate with new people — there’s something really exciting about stepping into someone else’s creative space and seeing how your styles can blend. It always pushes me to explore different genres and try things I wouldn’t usually do on my own. Working on Jungle Ride with DJ Mju was such a fun experience — it took my voice in a whole new direction, and I loved that. I have a couple of dream collaborations! My ultimate DJ collab would be with Darren Styles — I’ve loved his music for years, and there's just something so nostalgic and euphoric about his sound that really connects with me. For a vocal collaboration, it would have to be Lana Del Rey. I grew up listening to her beautiful, haunting music, and she’s been such a huge influence on how I write and express emotion in my own songs. Collaborating with her would be an absolute dream.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
That shout out definitely goes to my sister, Eva. She’s a photographer and content creator, and she’s always working hard behind the scenes. A lot of people don’t realise how much time and energy she puts into making sure I always have content to post, whether it’s shooting visuals, planning concepts, or helping me brainstorm fresh ideas. She’s incredibly creative and dedicated, and honestly, so much of what I do wouldn’t look the way it does without her. She never asks for credit, but she absolutely deserves it — she keeps everything moving in the background while I’m out front.
Where would you like to see LANI the artists in a year's time and five years down the road? What do you hope you have achieved?
In a year’s time, I hope the music is reaching more people and that I’m out there performing regularly — whether it’s intimate shows or festivals, just really connecting with audiences and building that live energy. I’d love to see my artist profile continuing to grow, both creatively and within the industry, and to feel like I’m building something real and lasting. Looking five years ahead, I hope I’ve released a body of work I’m truly proud of — maybe an album or two — and that I’ve had the chance to collaborate with artists I admire. Most of all, I just want to stay true to the music, keep evolving, and hopefully inspire others the way so many artists have inspired me. If I’m still creating, performing, and growing — that’s success to me.
Interview by Michelle Symes
