INTERVIEW: Ivori's Vulnerable New Single Will Be ‘On Ur Mind’

Ivori. Photo by Ruby Boland.

Wollongong-based pop artist Ivori has been through a lot of change over the last couple of years. She’s ended a relationship, come out as queer, and been through a global pandemic. It’s enough to push anyone to the limit. Instead of crumbling, Ivori’s emerged stronger than ever, and she’s reintroducing herself to the world with her new single, On Ur Mind.

It’s a track about heartbreak, and drunk calling your ex, something I’m sure a lot of people can relate to, even if they don’t want to. I spoke to Ivori about coming out and embracing her true self, as well as the track. Give it a listen, and then read on!

Ben Madden: Firstly, can you introduce yourself and your music?

Ivori: Hello! I'm Ivori, an indie-pop artist from Wollongong. I've taken a brand new direction with my music, starting with this new single On Ur Mind!

You’re preparing to release your new single, On Ur Mind, which serves as a re-introduction to the world of Ivori. What makes now the right time to re-launch the project?

Reflecting back on the old music I used to create, it didn't really feel like me. I took some time off releasing music to really hone in on my sound and figure out exactly who I wanted to be as an artist. I took On Ur Mind into a session with Xavier Dunn in late 2019 and that was where my new sound was born. He truly understood what I wanted to create.

For me, 2019 and 2020 were really tough years. I felt like my personal life had completely evolved, and so in turn so did my music, which inspired my redirection. It feels like the right time now because (as lame as it sounds) I have truly found myself, personally and musically! eep!

You’ve recently been through a period of intense change. Has music always been an outlet for you to cope with personal change, or do you have other methods of coping with shifts in your life?

I really have. Coming out as queer last year was a very exciting yet terrifying change for me. Music has and always will be my outlet for me to cope with personal change. I think writing in all forms is how I cope with personal change, whether that be writing new Ivori material, or simply journalling my thoughts and feelings.

Also, artists like FLETCHER, JP Saxe, Taylor Swift, Julia Michaels, Holly Humberstone, Jeremy Zucker, Gracie Abrams, Maggie Rogers and Phoebe Bridgers have gotten me through a lot of personal shit! When I need to cope with the chaos of life, I have found a true love of reading... I am currently reading my 21st book this year! I'm a real go all in or nothing at all gal clearly.

The song discusses the end of a relationship and the heartbreak that accompanies such an experience. Since coming out as queer, how has your relationship with music and expressing yourself changed?

Honestly, it feels incredible, but also scary. I am always one to be very upfront, personal and vulnerable in terms of my songwriting, but since coming out as queer it feels like a whole new level of vulnerability. I’m connecting to music in a way I never have before. When I started writing about my now-girlfriend, it was such a cathartic experience because I'd never allowed myself to be so open and honest with myself.

Listening back to your early music as part of the Ivori project – how has your songwriting evolved since then, and what advice would you give to your past self?

Listening back to my early music, I actually laugh sometimes. I think any artist looks back on their early songwriting and notices how much they've grown, but I have well and truly outgrown my old material.

If I was giving advice to my past self I would say listen to your damn gut! But also, when I reflect back on the past, I don't look back in regret anymore. I look back and think about how much I’ve evolved.

The song was produced by Xavier Dunn – can you talk me through what you learnt from him in the process of creating On Ur Mind?

Before my first session with Xav I was incredibly nervous. I have had some really weird and uncomfortable experiences in sessions before, but he put me straight at ease from the moment I stepped into the session.

I have learnt SO much from him in our sessions, from the production techniques that he uses to how he creates really emphatic moments (hello pre-chorus to On Ur Mind). He also taught me how to use his Rick & Morty teenage engineering pocket operator which was fkn fun!

What’s the best way to stop yourself drunk calling your ex, if that’s a habit that someone’s gotten themselves into?

Drunk call your friends and tell them you love them. Trust me, you'll feel better about it in the morning... (Editor’s note - I agree).

READ MORE: Eleftherios And Jimmy Harwood Lift The Mood On ‘Me N I’

Finally, what are your next few steps, both personally and music-wise?

I have more releases locked in for this year, so MORE MUSIC!!!! You can stay updated with me via all my socials. Personally, searching for that inner calm amongst the chaos that is my life.

You can follow Ivori on Facebook here, Twitter here and Instagram here.