Hazel English Interview: Real Life & Japan Tour 2025

Last Updated on 2025-06-16 by a-indie

Singer-songwriter Hazel English from Sydney, Australia.

Since making her Japanese debut with the release of the compilation EP “Just Give In / Never Going Home” in 2017,

she realized her first Japan tour in March 2018, and released her long-awaited debut album “Wake UP!” in 2020.

Last year in 2024, she released her new EP “Real Life,” which compiled her fourth single released in 2023 and the EP “Summer Nights” released in 2022.

And this time, “Real Life” is being released for the first time worldwide on CD and LP in Japan, along with her first Japan tour in 8 years.

She is personally one of my favorite artists in the indie pop/dream pop scene, and I have been following her activities with particular enthusiasm.

Her notably colorful and flowing melodies, warm sound with a sense of nostalgia, and her voice create comfort and poignancy, moving listeners’ hearts and creating intoxication.

Hazel English’s songs are always authentic, without falsehood or decoration. Even when carrying some conflict or dilemma, listening to her music resets your heart and keeps you refreshed.

In this interview, we look back at her career once again, explore the roots of her music, and discuss a wide range of topics including “Real Life,” her encounter with Day Wave who is her best partner in her work, and the analog record release.

The Origins of Hazel English

Artist: Hazel English　Interviewer: Yuuki Takita　Translation, Editing, and Proofreading: BELONG Media / A-indie

-Yuuki Takita: Our media values artists’ roots, the background of their music creation, and the music/culture/art that influenced them. Since this is our first interview, I’d like to ask about you personally so our readers can get to know your appeal. I understand you’re from Melbourne – could you tell us about your childhood there and what your life was like growing up?
Hazel English: I’m from Sydney though I did live in Melbourne for a few years. I grew up by the beach so I was very lucky to be able to live in a beautiful place and fortunate that I had the resources to explore my creativity, learn different instruments and feel supported to nurture my passions.

Music That Started with Words

-Yuuki Takita: I heard you studied creative writing before becoming a musician. What exactly did you learn there? I’d also like to know how that experience influences your music today.
Hazel English: Yes I did, I’ve always considered myself first and foremost a writer. It influences my songwriting, mainly in the way I like to create a story in my songs and make it feel cinematic. I always see songs as little snapshots of time and I like to evoke emotion through lyrics and melody but it is a different kind of writing than other kinds that I do like fiction pr poetryy.

Expression Honed at Open Mics

-Yuuki Takita: After that, you moved to Auckland and began your musical activities through open mics and performances with local performers, right? Could you tell us why you decided to move to Auckland, and if you remember, what were those open mic sessions and performances with local artists like?
Hazel English: I’ve never lived in Auckland. I moved to San Francisco and definitely explored a lot of open mics and playing around town. It was helpful in developing my experiences and getting more comfortable performing to a crowd. I also just enjoyed connecting with other musicians through that and creating community.

Fateful Encounter and Collaboration

-Yuuki Takita: I believe a turning point in your music career was meeting Jackson Phillips of Day Wave at the bookstore where you were working. Day Wave has been deeply involved in your work from your debut to your latest “Real Life.” Could you tell us in detail about how you met, your collaborative relationship, and how he has influenced your music?
Hazel English: Yeah we met at a book store when we were both living in Oakland and started making music together shortly after that. I can say it was a genuinely fated connection that led to a very fruitful collaboration and we still work together often. He has influenced me in so many ways but mainly as a mentor and as a friend. He helps me hone in on my best ideas when I have a lot of melodies floating around in my head, he will be able to kind of curtail my chaos and transmute it into something concise.

Discussing Her Musical Style

-Yuuki Takita: In past interviews, you’ve definitively described your music as “indie pop.” I agree with this, but I also feel it contains elements of classic pop music like The Carpenters, ABBA, and the Bee Gees. These elements sometimes sound nostalgic and sometimes fresh, which I suspect is what touches listeners across generations. Do you still consider your music “indie pop”? If so, could you explain what other musical elements or different aspects are included in your definition of “indie pop”? Or, how would you describe yourself as an artist to someone who doesn’t know you?
Hazel English: I never really know how to describe my music to be honest. I prefer for people to just listen to it and decide for themselves. I think maybe it’s closer to dream pop but not everyone knows that genre so I guess indie pop can also be used. I like to make songs that take you to a different place, they’re kind of like escapist capsules.

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