After years performing across Perth’s live music scene, singer-songwriter Leah McFetridge has released her debut single ‘Reality Check’, the first track from an upcoming five-song EP chronicling a transformative year of self-discovery.
The 28-year-old artist has become a familiar face at venues across Perth, known for her live looping performances that layer vocals to create full songs in real-time. But whilst she’s been writing original music since high school, this marks her first official release as a recording artist.
“I always loved singing and music. It was just my peace space, my zen zone,” McFetridge says. “I was writing songs when I was still in high school. It’s kind of funny to me that it’s taken me so long to actually release my first single.”
The reality behind ‘Reality Check’
The title track represents a pivotal moment when McFetridge decided to commit fully to her artistic dreams rather than playing it safe with cover gigs and teaching.
“For me, the song is the commitment to my dreams. It signifies learning to trust myself,” she explains. “I’ve always been somebody who questions themselves. I overthink a lot. So I’ve always just questioned myself and my worth and whether I’m good enough and whether the time is right.”
The turning point came when she realised her current path wasn’t aligned with her long-term vision. “I was doing all the cover music, and I was teaching a lot as well. I was like, this is sort of what my life is going to be. That’s not what I want for my reality. I’m not sure if I’m going to be happy in it forever.”
The song marks the beginning of what McFetridge calls her year of “choosing myself” — a period of personal growth that will unfold across the full EP.
Scheduled for a June launch, the EP tells a complete story meant to be experienced in sequence.
“It’s sort of like a capsule of my year. It starts with doubt. The next one is about learning about yourself. The next one is about understanding those things. Then it’s sort of coming into what that means for you and stepping into your own skin a little bit. And then the last one is I’m really happy with where I’m at now,” McFetridge says.
The art of live looping
One of McFetridge’s signature performance techniques is live looping — building songs layer by layer using only her voice.
“You sing something, and you record it, and then that just plays back, and you add layers on top of that until you have a song basically,” she explains. The technique allows her to perform as a one-person band, creating everything from percussion to vocals.
She was introduced to looping while still in school by a mentor who also used the technique. “It all kind of happened at the same moment — the performance, the original music, and the looping. It’s my little trifecta.”
Whilst the skill appears effortless on stage, McFetridge admits it takes significant practice. “When I first started, it was rough. You have to have really good timing. You have to have a really good ear because if you sing things out of tune, that’s staying. It then continues to play louder and louder as you go on.”
Musical influences
McFetridge’s sound draws from diverse influences spanning decades. She cites New Zealand singer-songwriter Kimbra as an early inspiration for her looping work, but her tastes have since evolved to encompass pop artists like Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter, alongside R&B and soul artists such as Amber Mark and Victoria Monét.
However, her true passion lies with classic funk and soul. “I am obsessed with Earth, Wind and Fire,” she says enthusiastically. “I want to do an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute one day. I love everything sort of like funk and disco soul vibes — Luther Vandross, Bee Gees, George Benson.”
This eclectic taste is reflected in her cover performances, which span multiple genres depending on the venue and audience.
Catch her live
McFetridge continues performing regularly at venues across Perth whilst working towards her June EP launch. For those wanting to catch her live or stay updated on new releases, you can follow her on Instagram, where she posts her performance schedule.
‘Reality Check’ is available now on streaming platforms.
