Interview: TRILLA Chats About Her New Single, ‘Slipstream’

Yugambeh/Gold Coast-based artist TRILLA has just released her lustrous single ‘Slipstream‘ – produced and mixed by Scott French. This comes ahead of two shows supporting Odette at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in Yugambeh/Gold Coast and Brunswick Picture House in Durring/Brunswick Heads. We sat down with TRILLA to find out more about the new track, inspirations and more!

Thanks for chatting with AAA Backstage! Congrats on the release of ‘Slipstream’!! How does it feel to have it out? How long has the process been from writing to releasing it? 

It feels incredible. I’ve never been so pumped for a song to be out. It has been 20 months in the making from when it first came into the world, to its release. The song itself was written quickly. Even the process in the studio was swift. I’ve just been releasing a lot of music that needed to come out before Slipstream. This is actually my 20th single in the last 2 years.

What was the inspiration behind writing ‘Slipstream’?  Was it any different from your normal process of writing? 

The inspiration came from shedding so much density and evolving rapidly through old patterns. My partner Tani kept calling the flow state “slipstream”. It seemed like the more I shed, the smoother I could move through life and open through adversity.  Synchronicities multiple times a day and manifestations would appear instantaneously in the “slipstream”. This song is a declaration of boldly choosing what you want, as I light the way for others to unapologetically choose themselves and let go of everything to dive into the Slipstream and get what you need. With all the riches and things you might call into your life, the real treasure is to be living in your heart and leading from there. 

Most of the time, when I write, it’s like a channel has opened, and I need to catch the words. I actually listen back to my voice memos and have to learn my own songs. This song was different. The melody and the first four lines were there, and then the rest of the verses and chorus came over the next hour as I refined what I was trying to say. The bridge of this track was a different process again. It was about 2 weeks later, on my way to my single launch for “Woman”. I decided I needed to play my new song, Slipstream, but it didn’t have lyrics to the bridge yet. So, right before the gig, I invited Tani into the writing process with me, where we listed all the things we wanted to call in and cast a spell with this bridge. I strung it together, took that piece of paper onto the stage with me, and debuted it to a room full of people.

READ MORE: Old Mervs Drop New Single ‘Everyone Will See It’ and Announce 2025 National Tour

You’ve also previously shared the stage with artists like Tones and I, Busby Marou and Iluka. What was that experience like? What other shows do you have coming up? 

It is always a pleasure sharing the stage with talented musicians. I remember the buzz around the Tones and I experience. It was actually the year I got runner-up in the Byron Bluesfest Busking Competition. I finished playing at a packed-out Beach Hotel and found out I would be playing on the big stage at the festival, and then Tones and I performed to close the night. It was right at the time that she broke through, and it was a massive moment in my career too. So the energy of that was really special. 

I will be supporting ODETTE at her upcoming shows on Feb 28 at MO’s Desert Clubhouse on the Gold Coast and Mar 1 at Bruns Picture House. She is one of the 3 Aussie artists I have always wanted to support, so I am thrilled about that. She feels life deeply and that comes through her music in a way that is so moving. These dream shows actually aligned with my Slipstream Tour. I’m really looking forward to returning to Melbourne as a part of that tour as well.

I saw you hold a community event called Spell Song; what can you tell us about that? How important is community to you? 

For the past 2 years, I have been running Spell Song; it is a place for people to come and fully express themselves. To sing, dance and be in a safe container of people to move through any stuck emotions or stagnancy. People have had profound experiences there. I wanted to create more of a safe container for the healing that occurs through music. 

Community is one of the most important things. This world is built for alienation disguised as connection. We can do so much without needing to see another human in the flesh. Fundamentally though, we NEED to come together and heal and laugh and play and remember. Singing and dancing are the most natural way for us to express ourselves and why is it one of the most common things that terrifies people? Alcohol has been used so much to soften the edges for people to express, but we don’t need to do that. The drug and alcohol-free events I run are actually the most connecting and liberating experiences. Safety is key, and community events remind everyone they are not alone. We all need each other to thrive. Everyone is welcomed, accepted and encouraged to be themselves. That’s what real community is about.

What do you get up to outside of your music?  

I have been very health-focused lately. I got the clear message that I need to nourish my body so that I can have more energy for my purpose. Going to the gym has really helped me anchor in this positive change. 

I mentor clients who want to open their voice and create and record their own songs. I find this really fulfilling and activating. I also work with NDIS clients, most commonly with autism. They are highly intelligent and creative, and music is a great avenue for them to express themselves and feel empowered. I support their sensitivities, listen deeply to their needs and go at their pace. 

I spend a lot of my time with my love. She continually reminds me of my purpose and I adore her. We are often caught just staring at each other haha, it’s ridiculously cute. She loves me so much and it’s because of her that I’ve been able to rise up out of my wounded healer archetype and into my power. 

TRILLA

TOUR DATES

SUN 9 FEB | THE RAILS, CAVANBAH/BYRON BAY NSW
SAT 15 FEB | MIAMI MARKETTA, YUGAMBEH/GOLD COAST QLD
FRI 28 FEB | MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, YUGAMBEH/GOLD COAST QLD *
SAT 1 MAR | BRUNSWICK PICTURE HOUSE, DURRING/BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW *
FRI 21 MAR | CENTRE OF YOU, NAARM/MELBOURNE VIC
SAT 29 MAR | SECRET LOCATION, YUGAMBEH/GOLD COAST HINTERLAND QLD

* Supporting Odette