Indy Yelich, the younger sister of global pop sensation Lorde, reveals her inner thoughts in her sophomore EP, ‘Fame Is a Bedroom.’ This deeply personal collection of songs transforms private dialogues, heartbreaks, and sibling relationships into moving, candid indie pop tracks. During an interview with Atwood Magazine, she discusses her journey of establishing her own identity, embracing vulnerability, and learning to trust her own voice as a writer and artist.
Stream: ‘Fame Is a Bedroom’ – Indy
Fame is described as "the state of being known or talked about by many people, especially for significant achievements." While it might seem straightforward, fame has various interpretations; it can be a 1980s film directed by Alan Parker or, as Addison Rae puts it, a gun metaphorically pointed in the dark. At 26, New Zealand’s Indy Yelich is redefining fame with her new EP, Fame Is a Bedroom. A bedroom serves as a safe, multi-functional space that protects its occupants from the outside world, making it uncommon for an audience to engage so intimately with someone else's personal space.
"For me, Fame Is a Bedroom symbolizes all the private conversations I’ve held behind closed doors," Yelich, who performs simply as Indy, tells Atwood Magazine. "[It encapsulates] all the beds I no longer sleep in that my body still remembers, the closeness in my relationship with my sister felt through the world's gaze, and ultimately learning to trust my identity."
On a late July morning, Indy calls from Montauk, just after completing a workout. “They played one of my sister’s songs, and it was so moving that I almost cried,” she expresses, still wearing an off-the-shoulder athletic top. Clearly, Indy doesn't shy away from discussing her sister, a major contemporary musical figure. The EP's third track, “Idol,” provides insight into their close relationship.
The song opens with a mellow groove and the lyrics, “I’m the moon to your sunlight, I only shine in the nighttime,” leading into the first verse. A simple bass line supports a chorus marked by reverence and repetition, “you’re my idol.” The song’s gentle rhythm invites listeners to absorb the heartfelt lyrics that Indy wrote in honor of her relationship with her sister, which is undeniably shaped by the fame that comes with young stardom and the scrutiny of countless observers.
Indy has navigated her journey toward her current perspective on life alongside a well-known sibling. Recognizing that her life unfolds within such a prominent context grounds her, as does the EP itself. “I feel like ‘Idol’ also encompasses a lot of departure,” she reflects. “There’s a significant breakup, the end of a queer friendship. It’s my way of laying an older version of myself to rest, and when I played it for [my sister], she understood.”
Emphasis was placed on creating space for Indy to express herself on her own terms in this project. While she admires her sister and even calls “Idol” a love song, Indy is determined to assert her individuality. She refers to a lyric from “Idol” to elaborate. “But I’ve got my own scars. I can only be my own person,” she clarifies. “It’s daunting to put that out there, but it’s essential to acknowledge such a significant part of my life with someone who is so close to me. To me, ‘Idol’ was written for me, not for anyone else. It’s a tribute to the love story with my sister and also a way to discover my own identity.”
As a newcomer to New York City, Indy’s formative years in this bustling metropolis have inspired much of the content of her sophomore EP, touching on themes like losing a queer friendship, familial ties, and a significant breakup. The city has served as a lyrical muse for Indy, who now lives in the East Village with her best friend Desirée. “New York is where I learned to write – I authored two poetry books and had penned 60 songs before that. It was the first time I felt truly myself as an adult,” Indy says. “You uncover who you are by bringing a book to a dive bar, having a drink, watching the Knicks, and meeting countless people. It’s amazing to be out in the city where the focus isn’t on you but on everything around you.”
The songwriting for Fame Is a Bedroom began two years ago with “Savior,” an emotionally charged track addressing power imbalances in romantic relationships. “It took a long time to finish. We incorporated live strings, which marked the start of this project. It was the toughest to write and incredibly frustrating,” Indy reveals. The subject matter stirred deep emotions, making it challenging to reach completion.
“I think every young woman encounters a defining 'Mr. Big' relationship, and it can feel like a rite of passage,” she shares. “Writing
Indy Yelich, the younger sister of worldwide pop sensation Lorde, reveals her innermost thoughts in 'Fame Is a Bedroom,' a deeply personal sophomore EP that translates intimate discussions, heartbreaks, and the nuances of sibling relationships into moving, profoundly authentic indie pop tracks. In an interview with Atwood Magazine, she discusses her journey to establish her own identity, the importance of embracing vulnerability, and the process of trusting her voice as a writer and artist.
