My Chérie Finds Beauty, Chaos, and Clarity on 'Life Is'

A Waxx Lyrical Heatseeker

After wandering through European streets and sharing hostel bunks with strangers, Adelaide-based alt-pop enchantress My Chérie found herself 30,000 feet in the air, wrestling with the contradictions of freedom and loneliness.

Out of that turbulence comes Life is — her luminous new single that transforms jetlag, soul-searching, and fleeting connections into an atmospheric sonic confession.

Known for weaving ethereal textures and raw storytelling, My Chérie emerges from a period of personal reinvention with music that’s as intimate as it is expansive. “This song came from all of it — the beauty, the weight, the wonder,” she says.

Indeed, Life is swirls with whimsical drama and cinematic flair reminiscent of Kate Bush or Australia’s own Kate Miller-Heidke, yet My Chérie firmly stakes her own claim with sophisticated lyricism and an undeniable gift for crafting hook-laden melodies. The result is a mini-masterpiece that ebbs and flows much like the shifting moods of the artist herself—and, perhaps, every other human being on planet Earth.

Fresh off captivating audiences of all sizes with her commanding presence and magnetic performances while sharing stages with Mia Wray, Guy Sebastian, and Crash Test Dummies, we caught up with My Chérie to talk about the whirlwind three month trip that sparked Life is, the sonic shift behind her evolving sound, and the unexpected sides of herself she discovered along the way. From battling bed bugs and knee injuries to forging soulful connections with strangers, she shares how even the toughest moments became fuel for her art — and how music remains her bridge between chaos and calm.

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‘Life Is’ came out of a long solo journey and a 30-hour flight home. What was the exact spark that turned travel memories into this song? 

It was the emotional ups and downs of the trip, really. On the flight home, I felt a sense of readiness to return, like I’d finally processed it all and was ready to reflect. I remember sitting quietly, reflecting while listening to melancholic music. Then I unexpectedly connected with someone on the flight, just as I thought I was done meeting people which made a way into the lyrics of the track. In the second verse I mention and reflected on real people I met on the journey.

You’ve called this track a sonic shift. What did you let go of creatively to find this new sound? 

Sometimes when you work within a certain genre, there’s this pressure to stay in your lane. But I’m at a point where I just want to express myself freely and trust that my authentic voice will shine through, no matter the instrumentation or influence are at the time. I honestly just picked my guitar up and the melodies came out like I had no choice in the matter. One of those easy writing processes. I don’t try to fight those.

Travelling alone forces you into new versions of yourself. Did you meet any sides of My Chérie on this trip that surprised you? 

Yes! One of the big reasons I took this trip was to prove to myself that I could handle things I’d previously believed I couldn’t, even with the small things. I’ve always struggled with organisation, being a bit chaotic and ADHD, but I was totally in charge of getting myself from A to B and it went smoothly. I felt calm and I surprised myself. I was also way more introverted than I expected. I’ve always seen myself as an extrovert, but I spent a lot of time with just myself, listening to music, observing the world. And every time I made the effort to socialise, I’d feel happier. It reminded me that the more time you spend alone, the harder it can be to put yourself out there again. I think I’d fallen into the habit of choosing my own company over connection at some points. But it was cool to realise I could be super independent if I wanted to.

You’ve lived in South Africa and now Adelaide. How does that cultural duality echo in your music in ways listeners might not even realise? 

There’s something people pick up on in my live shows that I think comes from outside of Australian influence for sure. It’s a kind of energy I can't quite describe. I’m drawn to sounds that feel spiritual, tribal & communal. I grew up in a Pentecostal, multicultural church, so I’m really influenced by things like chanting, choirs, percussion and sounds that create a sense of togetherness. I sometimes forget, but when I start making strange vocal textures or improvised melodies, I remember that I grew up singing in tongues which is making music without structured words, just letting whatever was moving through me come out. That kind of spiritual expression has definitely stayed with me. I think I see music as a whole, as not only expression but a way to find connection with our spiritual sides.

You said, “People all over the world carry the same weight on their shoulders.” How do you personally keep that weight from becoming too heavy? 

Spending time with my beautiful friends helps. Having people who really see you and have your back is something I didn’t always have. Knowing I’m not alone in the messiness of life makes a huge difference. I also try to get outside, feel the sun, go to fun events and move my body. Therapy helps too. It catches the heaviness before it turns into something bigger.

When you’re on stage performing ‘Life Is’, what’s the feeling you hope the audience takes home? 

The song holds a tension: feeling overwhelmed while knowing you’re still privileged. That constant mental back-and-forth. I think a lot of us feel this. The lyric “Life is short & life is long” comes up in conversation all the time. It’s a reminder that life is full of contradictions. I hope people feel seen in that, that they’re allowed to hold multiple emotions at once, and that their inner turmoil is valid.

Are you a vinyl collector yourself? What’s the record you’d save first in a fire? 

I’m actually not, mostly because I know I’d get too into it. But I’d grab Saya Gray’s album SAYA, Cassandra Jenkins’ My Light, My Destroyer, and anything by Big Thief.

If ‘Life Is’ were pressed on vinyl, what would the sleeve look like — and what colour would the wax be? 

The sleeve would show a dark blue, moonlit sky on one half, and a soft, sunny ocean sky on the other. The vinyl itself would be smoky blue or grey like something in the middle of changing.

What’s coming next for My Chérie? 

I’m so happy to share that I’ve got plenty more music coming this year. It feels amazing to finally be making things I’m proud of and excited to release. This is just the beginning. x