Australian singer-songwriter Louella introduces a captivating new chapter with the release of their debut single “Before I Go,” a heartfelt blend of folk, soul, and pop influences that captures the beauty of vulnerability and reflection. Inspired by a past experience of letting go of a future once imagined with someone else, the song transforms personal heartbreak into a cinematic and emotionally resonant piece of storytelling. Featuring organic instrumentation, including live strings recorded in a wooden hall, steel guitar, and acoustic guitar textures, “Before I Go” creates an intimate soundscape that mirrors the song’s themes of memory, change, and acceptance.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Sade, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley, Louella crafts a debut that feels both timeless and deeply personal, marking the beginning of an exciting artistic journey. Accompanied by a visually striking video filmed in Tokyo, the release further explores the feeling of being lost in an unfamiliar place while finding meaning in moments of transition.
Interviewer: You blend folk, soul, and R&B influences, how do you decide which direction leads a song sonically?
Louella: I’ve always been inspired by a wide range of sounds and genres, and I was lucky to grow up in a house where artists like Sade, Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley were played regularly. With songwriting, I like to think that each song has its own identity, and that every stylistic, instrumental and production choice helps shape the world the lyrics are describing.
“Before I Go,” for example, features entirely real, organic instrumentation, including strings recorded in a wooden hall, steel guitar and acoustic guitar played with a brush. Those textures felt like the right way to support the personal lyrics and bring out the honesty and vulnerability of the song.”
Interviewer: What does this release represent for you personally at this point in your career?
Louella: “This release represents the beginning of my journey as an artist. I’ve learned so much while creating my debut single, particularly about how much goes into bringing a song to life from the initial idea through to the recording, visuals and release.
It has definitely been a learning curve, but it has also made me even more excited for what comes next. I’ve been working on new music with some incredible collaborators, and I’m looking forward to following “Before I Go” with a fun, summery pop song called “Missing Piece” coming in late August.“
Interviewer: “Before I Go” feels deeply reflective, what moment or realization first sparked the song?
Louella: “This song was inspired by an experience from several years ago, having to let go of a future you had planned with someone in a new city. It’s about realizing the life you had pictured wasn’t going to happen, and letting go of what could have been. Revisiting that city several years later brought back a lot of the memories associated with that experience, and it was the first thing I wrote when I got my hands on my guitar when I returned home to Australia.”
Interviewer: You explore emotional transience in the song, was it difficult to revisit that relationship through music, or did it feel therapeutic?
Louella: “Initially, I felt a little shy about sharing the song because it is quite vulnerable. At the same time, writing it felt like a nice way to close that chapter of my life. I’ve also had some really lovely responses to it already. One of my friends memorized all the words and started quoting them to people in a bar, and the song hadn’t even been released yet. Turning difficult experiences into art and creating something other people can connect with can make those experiences feel worthwhile.”
Interviewer: This is your debut pop single, did you feel any pressure stepping into that space?
Louella: “I definitely did put pressure on myself, but that came more from having high expectations for my own work than from stepping into pop specifically. I care about every detail and wanted the song to be the best it could be. It took around nine months to finish, including going back and re-recording a few elements along the way. I’m really happy with where it ended up and excited that I can finally share it next week.“
Interviewer: The song feels very cinematic, did you approach the production with a visual world in mind?
Louella: “Yes, 100%. I wanted to create a song that felt like it could belong in a film, almost like the soundtrack to a dramatic scene. That really influenced my decision to include live strings, with a beautiful arrangement by Sarah King – River Suite Orchestra. I’ve always loved the idea of pitching my music for film, and hearing one of my songs in a cinema one day would definitely be a bucket-list experience.“
Interviewer: You’ve opened for Ella Hartwig and Table Manners, how have those live experiences influenced your confidence as a performer?
Louella: “I’ve been lucky to perform alongside some great musicians and bands already, and those experiences have helped me become much more confident onstage while also showing me where I’d still like to develop. Sharing line-ups with artists who have different sounds and performance styles has taught me a lot about connecting with new audiences and shaping
my own live show. I’ve also played cover gigs for several years, so I’m used to performing for a wide range of crowds. I’m now really excited to bring those experiences into my original music and curate my own show with a full band.”
Interviewer: The video was shot across Tokyo, how did that location connect to the emotional themes of the song?
Louella: “The song is partially about being misplaced in a foreign city, and feeling as though you are far away from everything you grew up being familiar with. Adjusting to all the change and uncertainty that comes with living in a new country and culture was a big part of my experience that inspired me to write the song, so it felt right to record the video in a city that is the complete opposite of where I grew up – a small beach town in Australia.“
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