In Conversation with Hetta Falzon: ‘Sobering’ thoughts and the making of her new single.

It’s been a whirlwind year for singer-songwriter Hetta Falzon, who has quickly established herself as a rising star in the music scene. Her latest single, ‘Sobering,’ has taken social media by storm. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Hetta to discuss the creation of her new single, her musical influences and her plans for 2025. Fresh from supporting Joshua Bassett on tour in Manchester and gearing up for her next big performance, Hetta opens up about the inspiration behind her music and her journey as an artist.

Hetta, we’re so excited about the release of ‘Sobering’! Can you share a bit about the process behind making it and what sparked the inspiration for the song?

Aaah me too! I arrived at Beau’s flat in September having crashed my car on the way to London that morning. Obviously the song is not about my car, but I kind of had that same sobering feeling of that instant shock that soaks through you. I think that really shaped the intention and the emotion behind the harmony and melody we wrote that day. I wrote the lyrics weeks later when I was debating going to a party because some boy I liked was going. I knew that as soon as I saw him with another girl, no amount of alcohol was going to get me drunk and so I did not attend. Sacrificed a boogie for my piece of mind.

Which artists were you listening to the most during the making of this record?

I was (am always) watching a lot of Gilmore Girls and heard a song called ‘S Wonderful in one of the episodes and was just stunned. It was like that moment when you hear something and you’re like, oh. So this is the music I’ve been waiting for and I went down this incredible rabbit hole with Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn. Gilmore Girls also introduced me to Someone To Watch Over Me, and jazz ballads just completely got a hold on me. I could never really get into jazz when I was younger, I’d tried but I only really listen to music when I want to be moved and at peace and I thought jazz was all bebop and I just didn’t get it. With this music, it’s wild how moved I am by the melody alone, and the harmony alone. That’s exactly what I want to be doing too.

Your music blends jazz, pop, and classical in such a fresh way. How did your musical journey kick off, and how have these different genres helped shape your sound as a songwriter?

My mum forced me to do classical music from the age of 7. I’m the youngest child and hate being told what to do, the classic: as soon as someone asks you to do something, you instantly decide you don’t want to. I would do everything in my power to make it more fun, altering the melodies and flipping my cello sideways and strumming it like a guitar. I also grew up performing in many musicals but never really enjoyed acting. I just felt weird pretending to be someone. When I started writing music, pop was all I’d really heard, I didn’t grow up listening to Joni Mitchell or Randy Newman, I was listening to Now That’s What I Call 89 and Michael Buble. And then I discovered jazz and I don’t really know that much about it which is great, because it means I am so sweet with breaking the ‘rules’ and trusting my ear. Writing something because it makes me feel a way rather than because it makes theoretical sense. I feel like my ear will always lean towards classical and MT harmony because I grew up playing it, and my lyrics will always be direct and I guess more pop because I am a 20 year old girl. Through jazz, I realised the power of intervals and that is just such a huge part of my melodic writing now.

‘Sobering’ has clearly resonated with a lot of people online. How did it feel to see the track getting so much love and recognition on social media?

It has been wild. The song wasn’t even finished when I posted it. I was trying to post once a day and this day I hadn’t filmed anything so I nipped into a practice room at uni and quickly filmed it and posted it without really thinking. Went to the pub, came home and saw that people were connecting with it and I just can't wrap my head around how incredibly kind and supportive every human has been. It’s been a little bit terrifying but absolutely already life-changing and I am so excited for it to be in people's ears!

You’ve played Glastonbury three times now, which is just incredible! What’s the experience like being part of such a legendary event, and how do you prep for a performance on such a huge stage?

I mean it’s mental. It’s also hard to prep for because every year I’m doing my makeup in my tent, losing my voice and my outfit is all wrinkled from being squished in my backpack for 3 days. It’s really the least glamorous experience but also by far the most wonderful.

From intimate Sofar Sounds shows to supporting huge names like Joshua Bassett at O2 Ritz Manchester, you’ve had quite the journey in the last year. Do you think these live performances have helped you understand your own music in new ways?

Completely. I don’t make records and learn to play them live. I write the song, I play it live, and then I record it. I absolutely adore Sofar shows. It’s hard to find a room full of people willing to listen and pay attention and I am so thankful to Sofar for creating a space for that. And the Joshua show was so wonderful. It’s kind of weird though because it felt like a Sofar one, people were so kind and so supportive and gave me their ears for thirty minutes and uni-hometown show I meeean.

Looking ahead, what are you excited for in 2025? Are there any new projects or upcoming gigs you’re particularly excited about?

I have so much up my sleeve I am so excited. I’ve been waiting a long time to put out music so I can’t stop and won’t stop. I’m putting on a Sobering release show on Sunday in Manchester which is gonna be so much fun. These past few months have been incredibly wonderful and chaotic and sometimes overwhelming and my friends have been so wonderful so I’m gonna get them to play some tunes, gonna have a little boogie, got a couple surprises in the bag.

Finally, for anyone hearing your music for the first time, what’s the one thing you’d want them to know about you as an artist?

Even though almost all of my songs have lyrics about drinking, I actually love me a 0% Peroni.