Rising Star Tilly Fenton Discusses Her Debut EP it’s a feeling that i know and Future Plans

Melbourne indie pop rising star Tilly Fenton has officially unveiled her highly anticipated debut EP ‘it’s a feeling that i know’, a coming-of-age collection that captures the highs, lows, and everything in between of growing up. Featuring her punchy new single It’s You! alongside fan favourites The Secret and Valentine, the EP showcases Fenton’s ability to blend vulnerability with infectious energy, drawing influence from pop icons like Olivia Rodrigo and early Miley Cyrus while carving out a sound that is entirely her own. We caught up with Tilly to talk about the making of her debut EP, the stories behind the songs, and what fans can expect as she takes it’s a feeling that i know to the stage.

Your debut EP ‘it’s a feeling that i know’ is finally out today — what does it feel like to share such a personal coming-of-age body of work with the world?

It feels so surreal and exciting that it’s finally out in the world! Over the last two years I’ve been hard at work in the studio refining my sound and writing these songs, so it feels really special to be able to share them. They capture growing up, learning who I am, and all the confusing, beautiful and bittersweet moments that come with that.

To finally have it out in the world feels like letting go of something really personal, but in the best way. I hope people can find comfort in it and feel seen through the stories, because even though these songs are mine, they now belong to anyone who’s ever gone through those same emotions and experiences.

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The EP moves through different moods, from the soft introspection of The Secret to the fiery release of It’s You! — how did you approach balancing vulnerability with energy across the tracklist?

I think for me, I approached it by just being really authentic to myself. I’m quite an optimistic person, so I think that’s where a lot of the energy comes from. But I’m also super emotional, and that mix really shines through across the EP. When I was putting the EP together, I wanted it to reflect the ups and downs of growing up, some songs are more introspective and tender like “The Secret”, while others like “It’s You!” capture that moment of release and confidence. It’s all part of the same story, just different sides of it.

You’ve mentioned artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, and even Hannah Montana as influences — how did those inspirations shape not just It’s You! but the sound and storytelling of the EP as a whole?

I think Olivia Rodrigo definitely influenced the EP as a whole. When I was going through all the experiences that inspired these songs, I had her album “SOUR” on repeat and it takes you on such a rollercoaster of emotions, which is exactly what I wanted this EP to do too. I think that really shaped how I approached telling my own stories. And Hannah Montana was such a big part of my childhood that all of that music is probably engrained in my brain forever. A lot of those songs have this sense of hope and confidence, which I think found its way into my music. It’s that blend of emotional honesty and uplifting energy that really represents who I am as an artist.

You wrote these songs while navigating your teenage years and early twenties — is there a particular track on the EP that feels like the most “true to you” right now, looking back at those experiences?

I think “It’s You!” is definitely the track on the EP that feels most true to me right now. Even though I wrote it about an experience that doesn’t really affect me anymore, it’s still such a fierce and empowering song. Whenever I listen to it or perform it, it gives me this boost of confidence and reminds me of how far I’ve come. I think “It’s You!” will always hold that energy for me, it’s one of those songs that’ll continue to lift me up for a long time.

You’ve already sold out your first headline show and have more performances planned — what can fans expect from your live shows as you bring it’s a feeling that i know to the stage?

I’m so excited to finally bring these songs to life on stage! Performing live has always been one of my favourite parts of making music, so it’s going to be so much fun. Fans can expect a lot of energy, emotion, and connection. The shows will definitely have those fun, loud moments where everyone’s singing and dancing, but also some really special intimate moments too.

I want it to feel like we’re all experiencing the EP together, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s going to be such a special space to celebrate the EP with everyone who’s been part of the journey.