Alex Lahey was born in 1992 and grew up in Albert Park,[2] a suburb of Melbourne, where she lived with her parents and younger brother, Will.[3] At 13-years-old, she started taking saxophone lessons while teaching herself guitar.[4] Following high school, she started university courses in both music and arts but dropped out of the music component to join local group, Animaux, on vocals and saxophone.[4] After completing her arts degree Lahey decided to start a solo music career.[4]
Career
2016-2018: B-Grade University and I Love You Like A Brother
In June 2016, Lahey won the Josh Pyke Partnership, for unsigned artists, which is co-sponsored by Pyke, Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS).[5] She received a AUD$7500 grant, a song writing mentorship from Pyke and introduction to music industry officials.[5] Lahey won the prize ahead of 200 entries and Pyke explained, "the song she submitted was immediately stuck in my head, and her lyrics were compelling and clever. Her turn of phrase was quirky and intelligent, and really relatable... I reckon most of us have been in the situation that's portrayed in the song 'You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me'."[5]
Lahey's debut extended play (EP), B-Grade University, was released on 29 July 2016, via Caroline Australia Records with distribution by Universal Music Australia.[7] It reached No. 95 on the ARIA Top 100 Physical Albums and No. 8 on the ARIA Hitseekers Albums charts.[8]
In January 2017 Lahey signed to Dead Oceans, which re-released her EP.[9] On 6 October 2017 she issued her debut album, I Love You Like a Brother, through her own independent label, Nicky Boy Records/Dead Oceans via Caroline Australia/Universal Music Australia.[10][11] Laura Stanley of Under the Radar observed, "[she] shares scenes from her own period of self-discovery, which makes for a fierce and incredibly fun debut full-length... the record standouts happen when Lahey and her bandmates zoom through spells of heartache with candidness and in a sharp pop-punk style."[12]
2019-present: The Best of Luck Club and The Answer Is Always Yes
In May 2019, Lahey released her second album The Best of Luck Club. The album was produced by Catherine Marks along with Lahey. Lahey spent all of 2019 touring Australia, North America, Europe and the UK and had extensive touring plans for 2020 before they were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The song "Misery Guts" from the album was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.[20]
On 21 October 2021, Lahey revealed she had signed with Liberation Records and released "Spike the Punch".[22]
On 31 August 2022, Lahey released single "Congratulations" and announced national tour, commencing in October 2022. It will be her first since 2019.[23] Her third studio album, The Answer Is Always Yes, was released on 19 May 2023.
Personal life
Lahey identifies as gay.[24] Her partner is fellow Australian musician Gordi. The two released a collaboration, "Dino's", in early 2021.[25]
Lahey is an avid supporter of the St Kilda Football Club[26] and performed at the club's 150th anniversary game at the MCG in 2023.[27]
The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.
^Stanley, Laura (14 December 2017). "Alex Lahey Taking Care". Under the Radar. Retrieved 9 December 2022. Born and raised in the suburb of Albert Park, Lahey was interested in music from a young age.
^Wallace, Ian (16 October 2017). "Week Commencing ~ 16th October 2017 ~ Issue #1442"(PDF). The ARIA Report (1442). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA): 2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 21. Archived from the original(PDF) on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
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