Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Hi! My name is SRU and I’m an artist based in Melbourne, Australia. As a child, I spent a lot of time in my own inner world. Growing up in the early 2000s, one of my favourite things was watching a Michael Jackson DVD that compiled his music videos. I watched it on repeat and was fascinated by how every song felt like stepping into a completely different world. In my late teens, I found myself drawn to electronic music while writing my own songs, learning music production and collaborating with other producers. Looking back, I think those experiences shaped my belief that music can be so much more than something you simply listen to.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “SRU”?
A: For me, it’s about creating work that gives people permission to feel. I want to keep going deeper into my creative process and share music that comes from a genuine place. I believe if the work is honest, it will find the people it’s meant to find. For anyone about to discover SRU, welcome. I hope you find a piece of yourself somewhere in the music.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: If I had to choose one, it would be BANKS. I’ve loved her music since high school, so finally seeing her live in 2024 felt like a real full-circle moment. I love the dark feminine energy she brings to her work and how she’s able to be both vulnerable and powerful at the same time. Outside of music, I find inspiration everywhere. It might be a film, a conversation, something I’ve lived through, or simply a feeling that stays with me.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “be ur girl.”?
A: “be ur girl” started as a song about longing, but over time I realised it was really about self-abandonment. It’s about the things we keep reaching for because we think they’ll save us, even when we know they aren’t serving us anymore. Whether that’s another person, a fantasy, or a coping mechanism, I think we’ve all been there in some way. To me, the song is ultimately about returning to yourself.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Transportive. I want my music to feel like stepping into another world, one where you’re invited to embrace your emotions rather than escape them.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “be ur girl”?
A: Absolutely. I actually wrote “be ur girl” when I was 19, then shelved it for almost four years. A few days before moving across the country at 22, not knowing what was ahead, I recorded the vocals in the closet of an Airbnb. Mike (angely2k) and I finished the version you hear today, but it still wasn’t released for another four years. Looking back, I think the song was released exactly when it was meant to be. I needed that time to grow into it and truly understand its message.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I hope my music gives people permission to feel deeply and reminds them that they’re never alone in what they’re experiencing. A lot of my upcoming work explores embracing every part of ourselves, even the parts we’d rather hide or run from. As an artist, I want to create music that grows with people as they move through different seasons of their lives.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Michael Jackson, without question. He was one of the first artists who showed me that music could become an entire world. His creativity, attention to detail, and ability to move people across generations continue to inspire me today.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: I would tell her that, although it really feels like it, she isn’t running out of time. It’s safe to experience each moment as it comes and to create from a place deep within. I would remind her of her strength and tell her that age doesn’t always equal wisdom. I’d tell her to trust her own voice, stand in her truth shamelessly, and never let anyone convince her she knows herself less than they do.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: I would say to always cherish and hold onto the feeling you get from creating music. The journey comes with plenty of challenges, but staying grateful for the spirit of music and remembering why you found a home in it can turn those challenges into opportunities for growth. It’s easy to believe someone else knows what’s best for you when you’re feeling unsure of yourself, but I’d encourage upcoming creatives to get quiet, slow down, and go within before giving their power away. If something feels aligned, you’ll know. Trust your gut.
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