Shot by Morgan McCormack
LIAM OLSSON / MUSICIAN / ARTIST
Liam Olsson (aka Lee Sugar) is the multitalented type who writes his music then paints his cover art. He released his debut single this year but has already clocked up over 150,000 streams and performed at BIGSOUND - all whilst going to art school. His music is the indie/ bedroom pop/ jazz/ Still Woozy / “R&B but less sexy” (his words not mine) typa sound that’s making waves. Jess chats to Liam about juggling music and art, the strengths and struggles of being a Sydney Creative, and his Dungeons and Dragons obsession.
Shot by Sevin Pakbaz
Interview with Jess Lord
How do you describe yourself - as an artist, or as a musician?
I treat music and art kind of like a craft. You know how people talk about the difference between craft and art? A craft is something you do with repetition, like someone who makes tables. Versus an art piece is something that’s very conceptual. I treat music and art like a craft, and then every now and then, I’ll make something that I feel is art. But most of the time, it’s just a craft. It’s just things I do because I’ve always done it and it’s fun. It’s kind of interesting looking at stuff I’ve made and being like, “Is that a piece of art? Or, is that piece of music artistic?”
What does your average day look like?
Generally I’m splitting my time between music and art, sort of in two hour increments. I feel like if I didn’t have one I’d burn out on the other so quickly. I love music, I love art, but I can’t sit still and focus on one of them for an hour to save my life. So I’m always running back and forth between my desk and my easel and just painting a little bit, doing a little bit of music.
Sounds hectic. Do you ever feel a conflict between the music and art in your life?
I don’t think there’s a conflict, but I think there’s definitely some work that needs to be done in order to synthesise, like... it shits me to say but so much of being a creative is about having a personal brand. That’s why you can’t be cringing, you’ve got to be on TikTok and you’ve got to be promoting yourself. It’s a huge hurdle to get over, and it fucking sucks. But a big part of being on those platforms and promoting yourself is figuring out what your brand is; what you do. So what I do is I paint and draw and I make music, right? That’s what I do. That’s who I am. You don’t want people to think like, “Oh, Liam paints but I think he does some music on the side.” Or you don’t want it to be like, “Oh, Lee Sugar the musician and he likes to doodle a little bit.” I want all of that to be this cohesive thing that’s me as a creative. I still haven’t figured out how to make that a cohesive vision. I’m kind of just throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks.
Cover for Lee Sugar's single, Wavepool, painted by Liam
What do you find easiest about being a creative in Sydney?
I’ve grown up here, so it feels like everyone’s sort of one or two degrees away from me. I never feel out of my element. It feels like a small pond, which is nice.
I think it can feel the opposite to people who are new to Sydney.
Sydneysiders can be standoffish and I do see that. I guess I benefit from being on the other side of it, where I’ve been a part of the Sydney world for long enough that I feel comfortable. I can see it being hard to break into though. And I’ve definitely seen that from people I know and friends of mine who have felt that way.
Do you have any tips for breaking into Sydney’s scene?
Go to events. You see familiar faces everywhere. So I think just push yourself into those spaces. When you see an event that piques your interest or is in your lane, go there, grab a buddy, and have that person be like your “scene buddy” or your “culture buddy”.
I think as well, there’s a lot to be said for Instagram and TikTok... as ugly as they are as platforms, if you’re a creative, they are invaluable. If you’re producing music, content, fashion, whatever. If you’re strict with yourself and put that stuff out there, you’ll be surprised with how many people find you.
Still from Lee Sugar's music video, What I Don't Know
What do you find hardest about being a creative in Sydney?
Artwise, I feel like there’s not a lot of opportunities for small artists to reach bigger markets. It feels like small artists are stuck making for small crowds. Galleries for emerging artists seem like they’re all started from the emerging artists. You know what I mean? There’s no top down. There’s a lot of bottom up. Which is also good, you know, rep the hustle.
What are your everyday pleasures?
Painting is such a good practice for switching off your mind. At least for me, the actual painting of it feels like the least creative part of the process. Because it’s planned. I’ve already sketched it out, I already know where my dark values are and my light values. When I get to that stage, it’s almost like by numbers, you know what I mean? It’s just like a zone out, listening to a podcast.
What podcasts do you listen to?
Well I listen to a lot of Radiolab - great podcast. I also listen to a lot of Dungeons and Dragons podcasts [laughs]. It’s super nerdy. It’s one of the only things that feels like a story, but it’s also combining the theatre, but also I don’t have to watch it to understand what’s happening. I can just be looking at my painting. I’m obsessed with it. Played it every week with my friends, for like seven years. We’re pretty committed.
Do you feel like playing Dungeons and Dragons has helped you develop a creative mind?
Haha no, I wouldn’t stretch that far. It is a creative game but you don’t have to be... we don’t have to get into the ins and outs... You won’t have usable content if you get me started.
Haha okay, I’ll leave it at that. Finally, what has been the highlight of your creative career so far?
Wow... I don’t know. I really enjoyed making What I Don’t Know. I think that whole process really felt like something creatively clicked and the cohesion of that project felt really good. But I would say the highlights are yet to come. I don’t think I ever have had a moment where I’m like, “Yeah, that’s it. So proud of that.” I don’t know if anyone really feels that way. It’s like, I saw this TikTok the other day where some guy was like, “Be content with your work when it’s 80% done, and release it when it’s 80%. Cos it’s never gonna be 100%. Focus on improving your 80%”.
Shot by Morgan McCormack
Top 3 songs by Sydney artists?
1. Control Dem - Club Angel (because it’s super hype)
2. Forever - Bread Club (just a beautiful song)
3. Medicine - MUNGMUNG (she’s a killer performer)
Who do you think is the most exciting young & emerging creative in Sydney?
Chanel Loren
Musician
@iamchanelloren