Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Beth Lucas
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
At nine years old, my only real “passion” for performing was fueled by a desperate need to do exactly what my older sisters were doing. But during a community Christmas production, fate stepped in when the lead singer came down with a sudden illness. The director ended up plucking me straight out of the chorus line to take over the part. That was the first time someone actually told me I had a genuine gift, and it was the exact spark I needed to go all in.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
It really stepped up a gear when I was ten and my older brother gave me my first acoustic guitar. I spent a couple of years learning the ropes from my siblings, and by the time I hit high school at thirteen, I’d started finding my own voice and writing my own material.
Back then, I was deep into that late 90s and early 2000s pop and folk sound, and those artists really shaped how I approached songwriting. I started playing live at every school event I could, and the more I got out there, the more it clicked.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
“What I Deserved” is easily the most vulnerable song I’ve ever written. It’s an honest look at a past relationship, flaws and all, that I kept tucked away out of hesitation and shame. After three years of sitting on it, playing it live taught me that there is real power in being this raw. The track was produced and co-written/arranged by James North and we really wanted to keep the storytelling front and centre. This track marks the start of a new era for my music and we’re currently working on the next single.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I’d describe my sound as “confessional modern country” with a bit of a gritty, alt-country edge. Since my roots are in the alternative and emo scenes, I tend to lean into that raw, honest storytelling where I don’t feel the need to sugarcoat the narrative.
I’m a big fan of the “listening room” vibe, so my music is built for environments where the lyrics and the vocal clarity actually have space to breathe.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Honesty is the best policy! The audience wants to hear the truth – they don’t need a polished version, they just want to hear the stories as they happened. Having that encouragement has really helped me lean into that side of my storytelling more.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
A lot of songs come to me in the middle of the night, so I’ll often take little notes on my phone and then look at them the next day on my Maton guitar but lately, I’ve been feeling inspired while driving so I’ll take voice memos with melodies and lyrics and then visit them on another day.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’m currently loving everything Amber Kenny and Jo Caseley are doing. I’m lucky enough to perform with them in our trio, “3 Birds & The Truth”, and they are both such phenomenal songwriters in their own right. While we find such a beautiful, natural groove as a trio, their solo work is just as grounded and honest.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My music is essentially a refusal to hide behind a polished version of myself. I spent a lot of years packing away the more complicated chapters of my life, worried that being too open about my flaws wouldn’t be “marketable.” The shift happened when I realised that my most vulnerable songs were the ones that built the strongest bridge to my audience. Today, my artistic vision is centred on that exchange of truth.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope listeners walk away feeling like they’ve just had a long, honest conversation where nothing was off-limits. More than anything, I want people to find a sense of permission in my music. Permission to be flawed, to sit with their own messier realisations and give themselves grace to grow, and to know that those experiences don’t have to define them.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
There is no substitute for being real. For a long time, I thought I had to curate my stories or only show the versions of myself that felt “safe” or “right,” but music has taught me that the opposite is true. It’s taught me that vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s actually the most direct bridge to connecting with other people. If a story feels a bit uncomfortable to tell, I now know that’s usually a sign that it’s a story worth telling.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I’ve got a couple… In terms of venues, the Bluebird Cafe and The Listening Room in Nashville are definitely bucket list places. I’d love to perform at CMC Rocks (here in Queensland) and CMA Fest in Nashville – they are both iconic and career defining festivals.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
It has to be Carly Pearce. I’ve covered her songs for years and her “no-filter” approach to songwriting has been a massive influence on my own journey. She really set the standard for modern, confessional country, and I love that she never shies away from the messier parts of life.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
- Official Website: https://www.bethlucas.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethlucasmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlucasmusic
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bethlucasmusic
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bethlucasmusic
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HSb9t2ZO2KVAh8avj55HG?si=AGjcEkhtRye3b09Ur65Szg&nd=1&dlsi=19618914b4724254
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/au/artist/beth-lucas/517381732
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
The dream is to take my songs and stories to a global level, specifically targeting the Nashville scene for recording, performing and networking. I’m currently focused on releasing my next singles that will lead into a full EP and performing locally at any and all opportunities.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope listeners discover that there is no expiry date on finding your true voice. Although I’ve been making music for a long time, it feels like I’m only just now coming into my own because I finally gave myself permission to be completely honest in my songwriting.
