The T with Tilly Fenton
Melbourne indie pop artist Tilly Fenton recently shared her brand new single ‘I Just Wanna Kiss You’, a track that was produced by Michael Belsar (The Jungle Giants, Hayden James, Bob Moses) and is is delivered with a 90’s inspired karaoke bar video clip. We caught up with Tilly to find out more about the new song, how radio support can make a difference and her obsession with American TV show ‘Off Campus’.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, what sort of music does Tilly Fenton make?
I make dreamy, nostalgic indie-pop that's fun, heartfelt and a little bit sparkly. I love writing songs that capture all those messy feelings that come with growing up and relationships but wrapping them in fun, feel good pop production. I always hope it feels like the kind of music you want to dance around your bedroom with your friends to.
Tell us about your new song ‘I Just Wanna Kiss You’. What was your inspiration for the track?
‘I Just Wanna Kiss You’ came from wanting to write something that felt a bit more carefree. I wanted to capture that feeling of being in your early 20s, going out with your friends, meeting someone new, and getting caught up in the excitement of it all. It's really just about having fun, living in the moment, and that feeling when all you want to do is kiss someone.
“It was all about capturing that carefree feeling of a night out and not taking ourselves too seriously.”
Who came up with the concept for the video? Were there any memorable moments during the making of it?
The concept came together with the amazing Michelle Pitiris (She Is Aphrodite). We wanted the video to match the energy of the song, so we landed on the idea of filming in a karaoke bar with all of my friends. It was all about capturing that carefree feeling of a night out and not taking ourselves too seriously.
It was definitely a long shoot, and by the end of the day we were all a little bit delirious, but because I was surrounded by so many of my friends it honestly just made it more fun and it didn’t feel like work at all!
Since the song’s release it has gained lots of attention on major radio stations including triple j and KIIS FM. Where were you when you heard it flooding the airwaves?
When I first heard triple j play ‘I Just Wanna Kiss You’, I was sitting in my car outside my house with my brother listening together. It was about 15 minutes before the song came out on streaming platforms, and I always love to hear it being played in the car because that's where I grew up listening to these radio stations. It was such a surreal moment finally hearing it on air, especially because it was my first release of the year and I'd been so excited for everyone to finally hear it, I could not contain my excitement haha.
“ I think it’s just as important to recognise the local and alternative community radio stations. They’ve always done such an amazing job of championing Australian artists and genuinely getting behind local music.”
What difference does mainstream radio support make in getting your music out to the masses?
I think mainstream radio support makes such a huge difference because it introduces your music to people who might never have found it otherwise. As an independent artist, having stations like The Fox and KIIS FM back your music gives it the chance to reach so many new listeners, which is really special.
At the same time, I think it's just as important to recognise the local and alternative community radio stations. They've always done such an amazing job of championing Australian artists and genuinely getting behind local music. That kind of support means so much, especially when you're starting out, and they've played a huge role in helping build such a supportive music community here.
Do you think the 25% minimum quota of Australian music on our radio stations is a fair number given the ever-expanding talent pool we have in this country? Would you like to see that number increased or even a dedicated Aussie station?
I definitely think Australian music deserves to be heard more. We have such an incredible amount of talent here, and there are so many artists making amazing music that deserve the opportunity to reach bigger audiences. Radio plays such an important role in helping people discover new music, so the more space there is for Australian artists, the better.
I'd always love to see more support for local music, whether that's through existing stations playing more Australian artists or creating even more opportunities for people to discover what's being made here!
“For a huge American TV show to be supporting Australian artists is such a cool thing”
Tilly, you have been campaigning via social media for your music to be included in the TV series Off Campus, why this show and how is the mission going?
Yes haha! First of all, one of the main reasons I've been campaigning for it is because I'm genuinely OBSESSED with the show. I binged the whole thing in about three days and have rewatched it multiple times since. I just think it's such a refreshing series because the characters are all so likeable, and it's nice to watch a show that isn't driven by constant toxic drama.
The other reason is that I've loved seeing the producers include so much Australian music in the soundtrack. For a huge American TV show to be supporting Australian artists is such a cool thing, and it makes it feel like it's actually possible rather than just feeling completely unattainable. I'd absolutely love to have one of my songs in the show one day, I think it would be the coolest thing ever!
What role do you think social media plays in the life of an artist? Do you feel pressure to always be online?
I think social media plays a really important role for artists these days because it's where so many people discover new music. Most of the community I've built has come through social media, and it's been such a cool way to connect with people who genuinely love my music.
Of course, there are times when I feel the pressure to always be posting, but I try not to let that take away from why I enjoy it. I see it as a really amazing tool that lets me share my music, my personality, and little moments behind the scenes. The fact that someone could randomly come across one of my videos and end up connecting with a song they've never heard before is pretty special, so I try to focus on that side of it.
“One thing that’s really helped is setting up a routine on my phone that locks my social media apps for the first few hours after I wake up. ”
How do you manage your own relationship with social media do you have methods or strategies so you to avoid overwhelmed?
Yeah, it can be really easy to get distracted. I'll open Instagram or TikTok to post something and then suddenly I've been scrolling for 20 minutes without even realising haha. One thing that's really helped is setting up a routine on my phone that locks my social media apps for the first few hours after I wake up. It means I can start my day, get some work done, and be productive before jumping online. Then, when I do go on social media, I'm usually there with more of a purpose, whether that's posting content or connecting with people, rather than just mindlessly doomscrolling.
How did you get your start in music?
I've always loved music and I actually started learning classical piano when I was seven, but I never really saw it as a career until COVID. During lockdown I taught myself guitar, started writing my own songs, and completely fell in love with songwriting. That was the moment it all clicked for me and I realised this was something I actually wanted to pursue. From there I studied music, started playing live shows, and have just been building it step by step ever since, and it has been so surreal to see my dreams come true over the last year.
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?
Definitely my amazing manager, Chelsea. She always manages to fly under the radar haha, but we've been working together for over three years now and I genuinely don't know what I'd do without her. She's not only an incredible manager, but also such an amazing mentor and someone I trust completely. She's always in my corner, works so hard behind the scenes, and so much of what I've been able to do over the last few years wouldn't have been possible without her. She’s the best!!!
Do you have a message for the Tilly Fenton fans and supporters?
Thank you SO much for supporting me and my music. It seriously means the world to me, and I genuinely feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I get to do what I love every day. The fact that people connect with my songs, come to shows, and sing and dance along with me is something I'll never take for granted. Thank you for being part of this journey and for making all of this possible. I can't wait to share so much more with you <3 I am a lucky girl xo
Watch the video for ‘I Just Wanna Kiss You’ now via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttvlMUVwCDE
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2026
