The Fire Burns Bright Within LÂLKA
Melbourne creative LÂLKA is celebrating the release of the deluxe edition of her powerful EP, Willfire, with a run of shows across the nation. Ahead of her Adelaide gig at Nexus Art Venue, we chatted with LÂLKA about her inspirations, relationship with technology and upcoming performance.
Words by Tobias Handke
Image supplied
Described as a “classically-trained artist gone rogue,” Melbourne’s LÂLKA is transforming the way music lovers listen to electronica. Telling introspective personal stories through pulsating club music you can’t help but move along to, LÂLKA takes inspiration from a wide range of influences that weave through her emotional creations.
Her latest release, Willfire, is five tracks of dynamic electronic productions that you’ll have on repeat, with the deluxe edition featuring several remixes from some of Australia’s most promising electronic artists.
Having already shared the stage with the likes of Charli XCX and What So Not, LÂLKA is excited to bring her Willfire tour to Adelaide for a special collaborative audio and visual performance with Virtual Reality designer Dr Damo.
Ahead of LÂLKA’s gig at Nexus Art Venue on February 21, we chatted with the emerging star about her beginnings, influences, recording process and more.
For those not familiar with your music, describe your sound and what you are about.
I create future club music - it's designed to move both your body and emotions.
Tell us about your early introduction to music. Was there a particular song/artist/instrument that got your attention?
The piano captivated me at age five after watching a student concert. Being my typical precocious self, I pestered my parents for lessons and never looked back.
You’re also classically trained. What was that experience like and do you think it’s given you a solid foundation for your musical career?
The classical music world was incredibly demanding - like training as an elite athlete. While it gave me incredible technical skills, it felt restrictive, focusing on perfection rather than genuine emotional expression.
What inspired you to step out of the classical world and into the electronic one?
I had this burning need for authentic self-expression that the classical world couldn't fulfil. Electronic music opened up a whole new universe where I could truly be myself and create without boundaries.
You’re most recent release, Willfire, is such a vibe. It merges many different genres and influences into a collection of bangers. You wrote this about it on Instagram: “Willfire was never just 5 tracks on an EP. It’s a universe, with parts of it a semi-autobiographical glimpse into my past, and other parts a fantastical labyrinth that is the result of me learning to harness artificial intelligence to share my inner world with you.” Can you expand on this and explain more about what went into the creation of the EP and what the release means to you?
Willfire is deeply personal - in ‘Yves Klein’ I explore the profound loneliness of my childhood, weaving in traditional Bornean instruments that connect to my roots. ‘Yuh’ channels my experience with gaslighting through the lens of Chinese symbolism.
When generative AI emerged, it fascinated me - not just as a tool, but as a way to challenge how we create art. It became my medium for visualizing my inner world while pushing me to be more intentional and thoughtful about my artistic voice. Instead of just accepting AI's output, I was about playing - pushing - and breaking it.
You also dropped a deluxe version of the EP that includes, ‘Joy’, a tune that took three years to complete. Can you talk to us about the process behind crafting the song and why it took so long?
I had this vision of creating pure, unbridled joy in musical form. The texture and rhythmic drive were so clear in my mind, but translating that feeling into sound was incredibly challenging. The breakthrough came when I discovered this perfect Splice sample - it had exactly the frequencies I'd been hearing in my head all along.
From there, it became this fascinating journey of transformation, breaking down and rebuilding that sample until it became something entirely new. The process was less about traditional songwriting and more about sculpting sound itself, gradually uncovering the music that was hiding within.
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The deluxe edition also includes six remixes from a variety of creators. How did you go about choosing who to remix your songs, and do you have a favourite?
I reached out to some producers and gave them complete creative freedom with the stems. It was incredible to see how each artist transformed the songs while infusing their distinct sonic identity.
For the Adelaide tour, I'm especially excited to debut a new version of 'Centre of the Universe' that blends the original with Lucid Letters' remix - it's become something entirely unexpected and beautiful.
Are there any artists you were listening to who influenced you while creating Willfire?
Skrillex’s Quest for Fire album was in high rotation. The sophistication of his production and mixing is unparalleled.
What do you hope people take away from listening to the EP?
I want it to be like discovering a new room in a familiar house every time you listen. Maybe you'll catch an emotion you missed before, notice a hidden sound, or see your own experiences in a different light. It's about creating those moments of discovery and connection.
You’re an artist who is very much in tune with technology. You mentioned earlier your use of AI in the creative process. What impact do you think AI will have on music going forward?
As with every new technology that comes our way, there are going to be negative effects, and as artists, it’s our responsibility to challenge assumptions and harness the tools available to us. I use AI in my work daily, and I use it to challenge me to be more critical in my thinking, to be more creative in my output, and to be more human in the work I create.
There’s also a cyberpunk feel to your music and aesthetic. Have you always had an interest in this sci-fi subgenre?
The aesthetic resonates with my soul in a way that's hard to explain. It's not about sci-fi specifically - it's more about the energy and edge of that world. You definitely won't catch me in cottagecore!
Along with your music, you are also responsible for the music videos accompanying your tunes. How important is the visual aspect to your music, and what inspires your creativity in that medium?
Visuals are, dare I say, sometimes even more important than the music. As blasphemous as that sounds to utter as a musician, I think people understand visual feeds more than sounds. I’m inspired by movies, books and especially fashion.
You revealed that you are living with fibromyalgia and are neurodivergent. How has this impacted your career?
Living with fibromyalgia means constantly balancing my passion with my physical limitations. Performing is my greatest joy, but giving 100% on stage comes with days of intense pain and exhaustion afterwards.
My neurodivergence has shaped how I approach creativity - I question everything and need to understand deeply, and sometimes this intensity can challenge collaborators. But it's also become my superpower, pushing me to see solutions and possibilities others might miss.
You’re performing in Adelaide as part of the Fringe this year, collaborating with local developers for an immersive VR game premiere. It sounds wild. What can you tell us about the event, and what should we expect?
We're bringing something really special to Adelaide Fringe - a VR experience that reimagines the classic arcade feel of Point Blank X in a completely new way. Being the world premiere makes it even more exciting - our audience will be the first to step into this world we've created.
Are these types of collaborations something you are interested in doing more of in the future?
I'm always drawn to projects that push creative boundaries and create unexpected connections. The magic happens in those spaces where different art forms collide.
Last one, what else does 2025 hold for LÂLKA?
I’m working on new music, including some collabs with artists I have a lot of respect for.
Catch LÂLKA at Nexus Art Venue on Friday, February 21 as part of Adelaide Fringe. Tickets on sale now via adelaidefringe.com.au.
