HEART-TO-HEART: Kitty Beach
“...although I don’t always instantly know what my next song is going to be about, I know that I always want to make something that connects others.”
Naarm/Melbourne artist Kitty Beach creates indie pop-folk that feels both intimate and emotionally raw, drawing deeply from personal experiences. In this Heart-To-Heart, Kingsley opens up about grief, vulnerability, creativity and the journey behind their new single, Fading Away.
Published: 14/05/2026
FHR (Flaming Heart Records): Your new single Fading Away touches on anticipatory grief, which is such a specific and emotional experience. What first inspired you to write about this theme?
Kingsley (Beach, aka Kitty Beach): Safe to say most artists write from experience, so my inspiration for this song was one I’m currently going through with a loved one. It hasn’t been easy and like a lot of my works, I don’t actually know what the song is going to be about when I start writing, but the theme became pretty obvious as it went on.
FHR: You’ve spoken about your love of bright colours – how does that visual element influence your songwriting or the way you build a song’s mood?
Kingsley: Up until Fading Away, my cover artworks have been bright and colourful portraits from photoshoots because I always liked the visual vs meaning contrast. I wanted something monochromatic to go with this release to emphasise just how dark the topic I’m writing and singing about is.
FHR: Sonically and lyrically, how does Fading Away compare to your previous releases? Does it represent a shift in your sound or storytelling?
Kingsley: Fading Away compared to my other songs is different because there has been an improvement with my production. The lyrics and overall storytelling of the song isn’t super different to previous works, I think it being specifically about my current experience relating to grief makes it all the more personal and vulnerable.
FHR: You’re part of the flourishing music scene in Naarm/Melbourne – what do you love most about it and how has it shaped you as an artist?
Kingsley: Melbourne, I think like any other music scene, has its ups and downs. It’s undeniable that there is so much talent here and tons of opportunities, which I’m always so grateful for.
FHR: You’ve released both an EP and an album already – what have you learned about yourself as an artist between those releases and now?
Kingsley: I’ve always stuck to the mindset “it’s now or never” with my releases, so I try not to dwell on whether they’re perfect or not. I gain more skills in between releases and gain more life experiences as well – the combination of both often makes me a better artist and better person.
FHR: As a queer and neurodivergent artist, how do those parts of your identity influence your creative process and the messages you want to share through your music?
Kingsley: For me, living with autism comes with being emotionally sensitive and feeling emotions very intensely and deeply. That part of me definitely helps with writing music, and although I don’t always instantly know what my next song is going to be about, I know that I always want to make something that connects others.
FHR: What draws you most to the indie pop and folk genres?
Kingsley: I think indie pop/folk best allows me to explore more of the darker themes, as my favourite songs of all time, In Infinity by Jack River and Blood by Ali Barter, also do the same within this genre. There’s something a lot more raw and intimate about this style of music.
FHR: What new artists or albums have you discovered this year that are on repeat?
Kingsley: Definitely the latest album from my favourite singer Melanie Martinez – I can’t get enough of it!
FHR: Tell us about your plans for 2026 and beyond! What can we look forward to from Kitty Beach?
Kingsley: I am working on another EP release, followed by a launch show! Finished a lot of songs recently so now I’m looking at releasing them sometime in the second half of the year. No doubt I’ll continue to do some gigs here and there, most recently backyard ones raising money for charities have been my favourite.
