Alex Lahey

This article is about the Australian singer-songwriter. For the English footballer, see Alex Lacey.

Alexandra Lahey (/ˈleɪhi/ LAY-hee^[1]) is an Australian alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has released three full length albums: I Love You Like a Brother (2017), The Best of Luck Club (2019) and The Answer Is Always Yes (2023).

Alex Lahey
Alex Lahey in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Alexandra Lahey
Born	(1992-07-30) 30 July 1992 (age 32) Albert Park, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Alternative indie rock pop
Occupation	Musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar saxophone keyboards
Years active	2011–present
Labels	Nicky Boy Records Dead Oceans Liberation Music
Website	alexlahey.com.au

In addition to her solo work, Lahey has a reputation as a sought after collaborator, and has co-written and produced for artists including Maggie Lindemann, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Christian Lee Hutson, The Buoys, Gordi and more.

Early life

Alex Lahey was born in 1992 and grew up in Albert Park,^[2] a suburb of Melbourne, where she lived with her parents and younger brother, Will.^[3] At 13-years-old, she started taking saxophone lessons while teaching herself guitar.^[4] Following high school, she started university courses in both music and arts but dropped out of the music component to join local group, Animaux, on vocals and saxophone.^[4] After completing her arts degree Lahey decided to start a solo music career.^[4]

Career

2016-2018: B-Grade University and I Love You Like A Brother

Lahey's song "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me" received Pitchfork's Best New Track Award,^[4][5] and it was voted into the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2016 at No. 97.^[6] Lahey subsequently won a Triple J Unearthed prize, leading to a performance slot at Splendour in the Grass and a nomination for a J Award as Unearthed Artist of the Year.

In June 2016, Lahey won the Josh Pyke Partnership, for unsigned artists, which is co-sponsored by Pyke, Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS).^[5] She received a AUD$7500 grant, a song writing mentorship from Pyke and introduction to music industry officials.^[5] Lahey won the prize ahead of 200 entries and Pyke explained, "the song she submitted was immediately stuck in my head, and her lyrics were compelling and clever. Her turn of phrase was quirky and intelligent, and really relatable... I reckon most of us have been in the situation that's portrayed in the song 'You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me'."^[5]

Lahey's debut extended play (EP), B-Grade University, was released on 29 July 2016, via Caroline Australia Records with distribution by Universal Music Australia.^[7] It reached No. 95 on the ARIA Top 100 Physical Albums and No. 8 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums charts.^[8]

In January 2017 Lahey signed to Dead Oceans, which re-released her EP.^[9] On 6 October 2017 she issued her debut album, I Love You Like a Brother, through her own independent label, Nicky Boy Records/Dead Oceans via Caroline Australia/Universal Music Australia.^[10][11] Laura Stanley of Under the Radar observed, "[she] shares scenes from her own period of self-discovery, which makes for a fierce and incredibly fun debut full-length... the record standouts happen when Lahey and her bandmates zoom through spells of heartache with candidness and in a sharp pop-punk style."^[12]

I Love You Like a Brother was placed on several albums-of-the-year lists, including Bandcamp Daily (at No. 40),^[13] Noisey,^[14] the Sydney Morning Herald,^[15] Under the Radar, BrooklynVegan, and redbull.com.^[16] Spin Magazine would also cite the album as one of the magazine's 13 "Favorite Overlooked Albums of 2017".^[17] After touring Australia through October 2017, Lahey undertook an international tour of US and Europe from December 2017 and April 2018.^[18] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2018 she was nominated for Breakthrough Artist – Release.^[19]

2019-present: The Best of Luck Club and The Answer Is Always Yes

In May 2019, Lahey released her second album The Best of Luck Club. The album was produced by Catherine Marks along with Lahey. Lahey spent all of 2019 touring Australia, North America, Europe and the UK and had extensive touring plans for 2020 before they were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song "Misery Guts" from the album was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.^[20]

In 2020, Lahey wrote and recorded the original song "On My Way" for Sony Pictures Animation's The Mitchells vs. the Machines, now Netflix’s biggest original animated release of all time.^[21] The song was also released on the official film soundtrack via Sony Classical.^{[citation needed]}

On 21 October 2021, Lahey revealed she had signed with Liberation Records and released "Spike the Punch".^[22]

On 31 August 2022, Lahey released single "Congratulations" and announced national tour, commencing in October 2022. It will be her first since 2019.^[23] Her third studio album, The Answer Is Always Yes, was released on 19 May 2023.

Personal life

Lahey identifies as gay.^[24] Her partner is fellow Australian musician Gordi. The two released a collaboration, "Dino's", in early 2021.^[25]

Lahey is an avid supporter of the St Kilda Football Club^[26] and performed at the club's 150th anniversary game at the MCG in 2023.^[27]

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		AUS [28]
I Love You Like a Brother	Released: October 2017 Label: Nicky Boy Records/Dead Oceans (NBR001/DOC136)[29] Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	15
The Best of Luck Club	Released: 17 May 2019 Label: Nicky Boy Records/Dead Oceans (NBR002/DOC196) Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming	30
The Answer Is Always Yes	Released: 19 May 2023 Label: Liberation, Mushroom Format: LP, digital download, streaming	55

Extended plays

List of EPs, with release date and label shown

Title	EP details
B-Grade University	Released: 29 July 2016[30] Label: Caroline Music Australia/Dead Oceans (AL001CD/DOC134) Format: CD, LP, Digital download
Between the Kitchen and the Living Room	Released: 29 May 2020[31] Label: Caroline Music Australia/Dead Oceans[32] Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

Title	Year	Certification	Album
"Air Mail"[33][34]	2015		Non-album single
"You Don't Think You Like People Like Me"[35]	2016		B-Grade University
"Let's Go Out"[36]
"Ivy League"[37]
"Wes Anderson"[38]	2017
"Every Day's the Weekend"		ARIA: Gold[39]	I Love You Like a Brother
"Lotto in Reverse"[40]
"I Haven't Been Taking Care of Myself"[41]
"There's No Money"[42]
"I Love You Like a Brother"[43]	2018
"Don't Be So Hard on Yourself"[44]	2019		The Best of Luck Club
"Am I Doing It Right?"[45]
"Unspoken History"[46]
"Welcome to the Black Parade" (Triple J Like a Version)[47]			Non-album single
"Sucker for Punishment"[48]	2020
"Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)"[49]
"Dino's" (with Gordi)[50]	2021
"Spike the Punch"[22]
"Congratulations"[23]	2022		The Answer Is Always Yes
"Shit Talkin'"[23]
"Good Time"[23]	2023
"They Wouldn't Let Me in"[51]
"The Sky Is Melting"[52]
"On the Way Down"[53]
"Ego Is Not a Dirty Word"[54]			Mushroom: Fifty Years of Making Noise (Reimagined)
"Newsreader"[55]			The Answer Is Always Yes (re-issue)
"When the Rain Comes Down"[56]

As featured artist

Title	Year	Album
"Skinny Dipping" (Stand Atlantic featuring Alex Lahey)[57]	2019	Skinny Dipping

Other appearances

Title	Year	Album
"On My Way"	2021	The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Selected production and writing discography

Year	Artist	Song	Label	Role
2020	Sweater Curse	"Close"	Independent	Co-writer
2020	Gordi	"Sandwiches"	Jagjaguwar/Liberation	Add. engineering
2020	Gordi	"Limits"	Jagjaguwar/Liberation	Add. engineering
2020	BLOXX	"Give Me The Keys"	Chess Club	Co-writer
2020	Maggie Lindemann	"Knife Under My Pillow"	swixxzaudio	Co-writer
2020	Maggie Lindemann	"Crash and Burn"	swixxzaudio	Co-writer
2021	Keli Holiday	"Where You Feel"	Independent	Co-Writer
2021	Japanese Wallpaper	"Leave A Light On"	Wonderlick / Sony Music	Co-Writer, backing vocals
2021	Gordi	"Grass Is Blue"	Jagjaguwar/Liberation	Producer, engineer
2022	Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers	"Pretty Good for a Girl Band" EP	Domestic La La	Producer, co-writer
2022	Christian Lee Hutson	"Rubberneckers"	Anti	Co-writer
2022	Maggie Lindemann	"how could you do this to me" ft Kellin Quinn	swixxzaudio	Co-writer
2022	Gordi	"Way I Go"	Jagjaguwar/Liberation	Producer, engineer, co-writer
2022	Maggie Lindemann	"cages"	swixxzaudio	Co-writer
2024	The Buoys	"Check Mate"	Sony Music/Arcadia	Co-writer

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2017[58]	herself	Best Independent Artist	Nominated
		Breakthrough Independent Artist	Nominated
	B-Grade University	Best Independent Album	Nominated
	"You Don't Think You Like People Like Me"	Best Independent Single or EP	Nominated
2018[59][60]	herself	Best Independent Artist	Nominated
	I Love You Like a Brother	Best Independent Album	Nominated
	"Every Day's the Weekend"	Best Independent Single or EP	Won
2024[61]	The Answer Is Always Yes	Best Independent Rock Album or EP	Nominated

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards have been presented annually since 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".^[62]

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2018	"Everyday’s the Weekend"	Song of the Year	Shortlisted	[63]

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2018	I Love You Like a Brother	Breakthrough Artist	Nominated	[19]
2023	The Answer Is Always Yes	Best Adult Contemporary Album	Nominated	[64]

J Award

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2016[65]	herself	Unearthed Artist of the Year	Nominated
2017[66]	I Love You Like a Brother	Australian Album of the Year	Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards, are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2016	"You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me"	Best Song	Nominated	[67][68]
	herself	Best Female Artist	Won
		Best Emerging Artist	Nominated
2018	herself	Best Solo Artist	Nominated
2019	herself	Best Solo Artist	Nominated
2021	"Dino's" (with Gordi)	Best Victorian Song	Nominated	[69][70]

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2016[71]	herself	The Heatseeker Award (Best New Act)	Nominated
2017[72][73]	herself	International Live Achievement (Solo)	Nominated
		People's Choice - Live Act of the Year	Nominated
2018[74][75]	herself	International Live Achievement (Solo)	Nominated
		Victorian Live Act of the Year	Won

References

1. "Diggin' In The Crates With Alex Lahey". Cool Accidents. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2021 – via YouTube.
2. Stanley, Laura (14 December 2017). "Alex Lahey Taking Care". Under the Radar. Retrieved 9 December 2022. Born and raised in the suburb of Albert Park, Lahey was interested in music from a young age.
3. Roberts, Christopher (19 March 2018). "Alex Lahey Shares 'I Love You Like a Brother' Video Costarring Her Actual Brother". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
4. Ross, Annabel (22 June 2016). "Blast-off for Local Singer-songwriter Alex Lahey". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
5. "Alex Lahey wins the Josh Pyke Partnership for 2016". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2 July 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
6. "1-100 | Hottest 100 2016". Triple J. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)). 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
7. Danielle McGrane (20 September 2016). "Alex Lahey gave it all up for a song". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
8. Wallace, Ian (22 August 2016). "Week Commencing ~ 22nd August 2016 ~ Issue #1382" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1382). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 7, 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
9. "Alex Lahey Signs to Dead Oceans". deadoceans.com. 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
10. Wallace, Ian (16 October 2017). "Week Commencing ~ 16th October 2017 ~ Issue #1442" (PDF). The ARIA Report (1442). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
11. "Instagram post by Alex Lahey • Oct 16, 2017 at 7:06am UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
12. Stanley, Laura (4 October 2017). "Alex Lahey: I Love You Like a Brother (Dead Oceans) Review". Under the Radar. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
13. Jarman, Casey (14 December 2017). "Best Albums of 2017: #40 – #21: 40 Alex Lahey: I Love You Like a Brother". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
14. "Noisey's 100 Best Albums of 2017". Album of The Year. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
15. "The Sydney Morning Herald's Top 20 Albums of 2017". Album of The Year. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
16. "Alex Lahey - I Love You Like a Brother - Critic Lists". Album of The Year. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
17. "Spin's Favorite Overlooked Albums of 2017". Spin. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
18. "Alex Lahey | Touring". alexlahey.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
19. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (28 November 2018). "And the ARIA Award Goes To..." Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 8 December 2018.
20. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 soundtrack complete song list, 11 September 2020
21. 'The Mitchells Vs. The Machines' Becomes Netflix Biggest Animated Film As Streamer Reveals More Viewing Data, 20 July 2021
22. Kelly, Vivienne (21 October 2021). "Alex Lahey signs with Liberation Records". The Music Network. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
23. "Alex Lahey Releases New Single "Congratulations", Plots Australian Tour". Music Feeds. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
24. @AlexLahey (19 March 2020). "Quarantine Diary Day 4 Still gay" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
25. "Alex Lahey and Gordi team up to pay tribute to a Nashville dive bar on 'Dino's'". NME. 12 February 2021.
26. "How the AFLW helped Alex Lahey fall back in love with footy". afl.com.au/aflw. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
27. Ryan, Peter (1 April 2023). "Saints celebrate 150th anniversary in style with win over Essendon". The Age. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
28. Peak positions for releases in Australia:

    • All except noted: "Alex Lahey discography". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
    • The Answer Is Always Yes: "Farnsie makes it 20". Australian Recording Industry Association. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
29. Mack, Emmy (26 July 2017). "Alex Lahey Announces National Tour For Debut Album 'I Love You Like A Brother'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
30. "B-Grade University (EP)". Apple Music. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
31. Langford, Jackson (29 May 2020). "Alex Lahey releases surprise EP 'Between the Kitchen and the Living Room'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
32. "Between the Kitchen and the Living Room – EP by Alex Lahey on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
33. "Air Mail - single". Spotify. 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
34. ""Air Mail" - single". Apple Music. 19 August 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
35. "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me - single". Apple Music. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
36. "Let's Go Out lyrics". Genius. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
37. "Alex Lahey Shares "Ivy League" Video". DIY Mag. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
38. "Alex Lahey finds love in the finer details with "Wes Anderson"". The Line of Best Fit. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
39. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Singles". ARIA. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
40. "First Listen: Alex Lahey's "Lotto In Reverse" is her heaviest track yet". ABC. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
41. "First listen: Alex Lahey "I Haven't Been Taking Care of Myself"". ABC. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
42. "There's No Money (Solo Version) – Single by Alex Lahey on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
43. "Alex Lahey - I Love You Like a Brother (Official Video)". YouTube. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
44. Roberts, Christopher (20 February 2019). "Alex Lahey announces new album, shares video for new song "Don't Be so Hard on Yourself"". Under the Radar. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
45. Roberts, Christopher (4 April 2019). "Alex Lahey shares new song "Am I Doing It Right" and announces new U.S. tour dates". Under the Radar. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
46. DeVille, Chris (8 May 2019). "Alex Lahey shares new song "Unspoken History": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
47. "Welcome To the Black Parade (triple j Like a Version) – Single by Alex Lahey on Apple Music". Apple Music AU. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
48. Young, David James (10 February 2020). "Alex Lahey releases new single 'Sucker For Punishment'". NME. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
49. "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)". Apple Music. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
50. Jenke, Tyler (12 February 2021). "Gordi and Alex Lahey Share Collaborative New Single, "Dino's"". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
51. "Alex Lahey Shares New Single 'They Wouldn't Let Me In'". Music Feeds. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
52. "Alex Lahey shares new single, 'The Sky Is Melting'". Far Out Magazine. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
53. "Alex Lahey has released her new single, 'On The Way Down'". Upset Magazine. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
54. "Alex Lahey – "Ego Is Not A Dirty Word" (Skyhooks Cover)". Stereo Gum. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
55. "Alex Lahey Releases New Single 'Newsreader'". Our Culture Mag. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
56. "ALEX LAHEY HAS RELEASED A NEW SINGLE INSPIRED BY SHERYL CROW'S CAR TROUBLE, 'WHEN THE RAIN COMES DOWN'". Read Dork. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
57. "Skinny Dipping (feat. Alex Lahey) – Single by Stand Atlantic on Apple Music". Apple Music. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
58. "A.B Original dominates 2017 AIR Awards nominations". theindustryobserver. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
59. "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". 17 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
60. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
61. "2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More". The Music. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
62. "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
63. "Meet the contenders for the 2018 APRA Song Of The Year". The Industry Observer. January 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
64. "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
65. "The J Award 2016". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
66. "The J Award 2017". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
67. "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
68. "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
69. "Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
70. "Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
71. "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
72. "NLMA reveal 2017 Nominees". NLMA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
73. "Winners 2017". NLMA. December 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
74. "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". NLMA. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
75. "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". NLMA. December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.