MICHAEL LLEWELLYN

Since releasing his debut album in 2021, Warkworth-born indie artist Michael Llewellyn has spent the past three years immersed in the creation of his deeply personal and newly released second album, I’m Gorgeous.

Written in the early days of his move to Wellington five years ago, the album draws inspiration from the city’s bright lights, hard edges, and late nights. At the same time, Michael was navigating profound personal shifts, including his mother, Brenda Rawlings’, diagnosis with a terminal illness. I’m Gorgeous delves into themes of love, death, and the human condition. Michael reflects on the weight of personal grief while confronting the broader darkness of history and human nature – themes that slowly emerge, like budding flowers, throughout the record. “I read that the line between good and evil runs through every human heart,” he says. “That became a kind of central thread.”

The album is a sonic and emotional journey – one that dances between despair and hope, pain and joy. Songs range from raw and heavy to light and forgiving, each uncovering a different layer of the human experience. At the heart of it all is love. “I thought I was making something really dark,” Michael admits, “but a friend pointed out that it’s actually a love story.” His hope is that the record encapsulates the idea that no matter how bad things might feel, everyone, at their core, is gorgeous.

I’m Gorgeous marks a significant evolution from his debut, Oh My Darling – a lighter, post-breakup collection recorded largely solo. This time, the process was deeply collaborative. The band workshopped songs in secluded spots around the country before heading to Roundhead Studios with producer and mixer Patrick Hill. What followed was a year of careful crafting, late-night sessions, and experimentation to bring a truly unique sound to life. Vocals from Michael and his partner and musical collaborator Isabella Smith are rich and vulnerable, while drums by Josh Dominikovich bring intensity. Keyboards and guitars by Reuben Topzand, James Morgan, and Henry Smithers, along with vocals from the Avondale Intermediate Choir on one track, add further layers and depth to the record.

Michael Llewellyn is currently touring I’m Gorgeous across New Zealand, including five special shows with Wellington band French for Rabbits. He is also working on a book titled Through Every Heart – adjacent to but deeply connected with the record – set for release at an exhibition later this year that will showcase all the elements involved in bringing the project to life.

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