With over seven million likes across Instagram and TikTok, singer-songwriter Liberty has a unique freewheeling pop style that caught the attention of UK record label, B-Unique Records, all the way from Napier. More locally the 19-year old has recently been announced winner of the first Catapult competition for emerging Kiwi artists, fronted by Georgia Lines. Her recently released second single Are We Dead? confirms there’s a bright future ahead for this fast-moving star, and NZ On Air Music included it on the April NewTracks promo compilation.

What’s your name, where are you from and what instruments do you play?

My name is Liberty Fowler, and I go by the artist name Liberty. I grew up in Hawke’s Bay and just recently made the move to Auckland to focus on music full-time! My main instruments are guitar and vocals, but I also play piano, bass, drums, ukulele, banjo—and even a bit of harmonica, which always surprises people, haha!

Any other projects that we might know you from?

I released my debut single I Wanna late last year, and it’s now passed 100k streams, which still blows my mind. I’m also pretty active on TikTok and Instagram, where I’ve built a growing community of over 350k across both platforms. That’s been such a big part of getting my music out there and connecting with listeners directly.

What’s the background story of Liberty the artist?

Liberty never really ‘started’ as an idea or project – it’s just always been who I am. I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember, just to process my thoughts and experiences. As I grew up this side of me grew with me, evolving naturally over time. Now, I’m at a point where it’s developed enough that I feel ready to share it with others. When people started listening and connecting to my music, that’s when it started to feel like something bigger than just my own personal outlet.

How has your writing and music evolved since your beginnings in songwriting?

I remember the first real song I wrote. I then performed it at the local ‘muso night’ at Paisley Stage in Napier. Listening back to the recordings of my songs back then and what I am writing now is crazy!
I think one of the big things that helped me grow as a songwriter would have to be writing with other people. For me at first it was a very foreign concept because my songs are so personal, then having to share what I am writing about with another person seemed wild. I started writing with some close friends which helped me get more comfortable with the idea, and now it is one of my favourite ways to write. I always come away with something I wouldn’t have written on my own, pushing me out of my comfort zone and expanding my writing style and techniques, which I love. 

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date?

Honestly, opening for [California ska-punk act] Sublime on New Year’s Day at their Black Barn concert was surreal! It was one of those pinch-me moments, and my biggest performance to date. I’d also say getting on the front page of the local paper back home and being featured in NZ Herald was pretty cool. I had a bunch of my friends screenshotting their google home page with my face on it which was also cool! And I went to the 4 Square down the road to grab a copy of the HB Today and saw myself on the front page, the cashier had a couple of double takes which was pretty funny!

What makes Are We Dead? stand out for you as a single choice?

It just felt like the reaction to the song on TikTok live was pretty cool too. I think the mix of melancholy and movement in the production makes it a weirdly uplifting heartbreak song! It’s personal, but still feels like something you’d scream-sing on a late-night drive.

What is the story behind Are We Dead?

It came from a super specific moment. I was driving around my hometown and realised that both of the spots where I’d gone on dates with this one guy had closed down. I think I was still holding onto the idea that things with him weren’t over, even though they clearly were. That feeling of not being able to let go, even when the signs are all there – that’s what the song is about. It’s delusion, but the kind that feels rather beautiful in the moment.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

I’m kind of a music nerd so for me the bridge is my favourite part, the weird opening chord mixed with a real deep dive into the ‘are we dead’ metaphor with dark lyricism that really places you into the song. My two favourite lines are both in the bridge and they would have to be ‘…my friends are telling me we’re dead, but I don’t like mourning’ and ‘…but I’ve been searching for our tombstone, and I’m still looking’. Both these lines are emphasising the fact that I am in denial about the whole situation, but hidden behind a metaphor so I don’t sound totally delusional. 

Who did you record/produce the single with and where? 

I wrote and produced it with Aubrie Mitchell in Auckland. We started the session at one studio, but we had some technical issues. So mid-session, we packed everything up and drove across town to Big Fan to finish it. We listened to Gracie Abrams the whole way over. You can totally hear that influence in the final song. As both the producer and a co-writer, Aubrie has been a huge part of Are We Dead? Adrian Hall mixed and mastered the track in the UK, and then it was released through B-Unique Records. 

What would you like listeners to take away from this song?

That it’s okay to still care. To still hope, even when it hurts or looks irrational from the outside. I think we’ve all had those moments where we pretend we’re over it, but deep down we’re still checking for signs. This song is for the people stuck in that quiet in-between.

Who else is in your team? 

Aubrie Mitchell was definitely a big part of this song. Aside from this I have had a huge amount of support from my parents, Richie Jackman (Music Machine, Napier) and Kevin Murphy (Backline Charitable Trust) who are forever supporting me.

Are there any other musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for? 

Yes for sure! I have just moved up to Auckland and since then have been involved with a bunch of cool projects. Beyond the Beat is one that I am really excited about – I pretty much re-made a classic Kiwi hit and it was all filmed to be a part of a series dropping in May. They have just dropped the official trailer so I’m getting really excited for that! I am also always working on new music, I have some big plans for the upcoming few months! 

Can you please name three other local tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song?

Georgia Bradley: 9th
Emerson: You Really Must Hate Me 
Lucy Gray: Soft Spoken 

Have any of your previous single releases been included on NewTracks?

Yes. I Wanna which I released in November 2024. 

Have you previously applied for / received NZOA funding? Was there any criterion you struggled with in the application? 

I applied for NZ On Air funding for the first time in this current round, so I can’t say a whole lot on this! I had found that hitting enough criteria was tricky, especially growing up in a smaller town – hence the move to Auckland!

Are there any musical blogs, YouTube channels or podcasts you’re super into?

I’m obsessed with Switched on Pop. I love hearing how songs are broken down from a nerdy perspective. Locally Hype Medium is a really cool one to follow. I was recently lucky enough win Georgia Lines’ Catapult competition, so I am really pumped to get an interview on her channel ‘Intros’ which I have been loving for a while now! 

How can we find you on social media?

TikTok  
Instagram:
Spotify
Facebook

Is there a music video to the single?

No music video for this one. We did film a Spotify canvas though, which was pretty fun. I had my Mum driving my old car and me sitting in the boot with my guitar, while my sister filmed the whole thing. My boot doesn’t stay open very well though so there were lots of bloopers, haha! 

Any final words?

Just thank you. To everyone whole has helped me along the way and to everyone who’s listened to my music. It means the world that people are connecting with it. I can’t wait to show you what’s next.