Deep within Naarm’s diverse music culture, there is a special alcove for downtempo, triphop electronica. Naarm-based singer-songwriter, Tilly Vickers-Willis, pairs her soft vocals with atmospheric soundscapes and intricate grooves, constructing a deep library of singles and recent album. Defying genre, Tilly is influenced by the slow moody aspects from artists such as Mazzy Star and Portis Head to construct her own unique and unmissable sound, using a careful blend of organic instrumentation and curated moments for electronic samples.
Originating as a songwriter, Tilly’s workflow starts by drafting a track with lyrics, melody and arrangement. Across her new album, she embraced a new process of electronic samples to model what the organic instrument will sound like, and hardware such as drum machines, FP 404 drum pad or Duno DS Keys, Tilly works and her producer propose a track. Once finalised, her band record the sounds, so all the elements in her finished tracks are real-life instruments, creating an interesting human-feel, whilst playing within a sonic palette of electronica: atmospheric strings, fretless basslines, gloomy organs and downtempo and breakbeat drums.
Despite what many people think, Tilly has no formal musical training beyond high school. In fact, her mum chose to not put her into classical training to not squish her raw talent with lessons. For Tilly, it allowed her to make an effort to maintain her flame of curiosity and interest, compared to being forced into strict regimes. Listening back to Tilly’s work, you can sense that she goes beyond what is expected and is not bound by established musical rules, despite remaining very technical. The individuality of her music, in a world full of mainstream algorithmic music, is unprocessed, untreated, and well, extraordinary.
I asked Tilly, why do you enjoy what you do?, and her carefully chosen words stuck with me:
It’s the treat we get for being alive.
Over the past three years, Tilly has been writing an eight track album, set to be released in April this year. Differentiated from true electronic dance music, where an artist may write ten songs in a couple of months, the protracted process of developing an album in Tilly’s style both enriches and complicates the artistry. The recording process was slow and meticulous, creating a sonic tapestry of gloomy organs, woozy guitars and ghosty falsettos. Over these three years, Tilly’s taste and ambition have gone through many evolutions, constantly influenced by the events and music developing around her in this thriving Naarm scene. To nourish her work with these influences, whilst maintaining a cohesive and stylist core to her work, is a challenge she has relished, and risen to to create a tracklist that feels enriched by three years of growth.
“Making music has changed my life”.
Explaining the importance of music, Tilly shares that music allows her to destroy the mundane thoughts of everyday life and gives an opportunity to release true self-expression. Music is able to open a segment in herself that, if connected with other people, “feels more special than anything else in this world”. It fills a hole and finds a community.
I have listened to Tilly’s work for several years now but first met her in person when she played an opening set at a dance music festival. A fascinating realisation has been an increase in bookings at electronic dance music festivals over the past year such as Whimsy of an Imp, Mach One, -Topia and Wax Out West.. With a live-hybrid set up, Tilly’s downtempo electronica is the perfect and natural segway into faster-paced dance music. Often sound tracking the morning of day two, for the punters who might be feeling a little rough, laying in the grass with an overcooked bacon and egg roll and sub-par coffee, Tilly approaches these sets with a serenity that nurtures the sore head. Compared to the conventional dimlit basement, the rise in performing at electronic music festivals is something rare and special for Tilly as an artist.
I asked Tilly: What advice would you give to emerging artists?
She explains the importance of being a well rounded artist. She urges emerging artists to continue learning new things. Surround yourself with different people and fill your time with new experiences. Don’t be afraid of being a beginner because, in reality, you will always be a beginner at something, and that’s ok.
Tilly’s approach to her music is inspiring and not to be missed. If you have the opportunity to indulge in Tilly’s musical creations, then please do. She is a standout force, expressed in organic lyrics and delicate sounds, gifting a part of herself to the listener. Find Tilly’s single “Do You Know” and her forthcoming album this April on all streaming platforms. Follow along with Tilly’s journey via instagram @tillyvickerswillis.
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