A Melbourne-based trio carving their place in the Australian alternative music scene, nightlight blend elements of hyperpop, metalcore and alternative pop.
Refusing to be defined by genre, creating a fierce and electrifying sound, their live performance combines pop-star arena atmosphere with a crowd-moving festival energy.
After a string of singles, in April the trio of vocalist Laura Lazzara, keytarist/ synth player Hayley Austen and drummer Jordan Higgins released their debut EP 'What If I'm The Devil?'. They've followed that up with newest single 'Heaven//Below', which dropped last week.
"It's the first release from our upcoming multi-volume EP series 'Parallel/Lines', and it marks a pretty major shift for us – bigger, bolder, and way more chaotic," nightlight says.
"The track blends metalcore, glitch-pop and hooky alt-pop, and was produced by Ionei Heckenberg (Ocean Sleeper), with a full-scale MV directed by Colin Jeffs (Alpha Wolf, Make Them Suffer)."
Before they showcase at BIGSOUND inn Brisbane next week, we get to know nightlife – the people as well as their music. "We are fast approaching BIGSOUND and we're playing two showcases – make sure to come along if you're keen to hear 'HEAVEN//BELOW' (and some new music 👀) live!"
Who is... nightlight are a pop-metal trio from Melbourne consisting of Laura (me, the vocalist), Hayley (the keytarist – yes, that's a thing) and Jordan (the drummer). Hayley and I met in high school, and then we met Jordan on the internet – both places where all good life experiences start.
We sound like... We're like if Ariana Grande and Bring Me The Horizon had a musical baby – we make pop music for alternative people.
Our first gig... That I can recall was held after hours at a college in Macleod – it was very wholesome because our family and friends were there supporting us, but it was also in like 2018 so it's probably a memory better left in the past.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... I kinda just turned around to Hayley one day and said 'nightlight sounds like a cool name', so that was that.
In the studio we usually... Film ourselves goofing around whilst Ionei does all the hard work, and eat our body weight in savoys and dip.
If we could tour with anyone... Ashnikko, Poppy or the cast of KPop Demon Hunters.
Social media is... An unnecessary evil.
My favourite app at the moment is... Pokemon TCG Pocket, because serotonin keeps me going :D
To date, our most embarrassing moment was the time... We shared a stage with pop-punk band Cordiform.
Life on the road can be... Tiring, sleepy, busy – but also a dream.
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... Many packs of Pokemon cards and a bottle of tequila.
The most scary scenario we've found ourselves in, was... That time we ran out of snacks on the drive home from our first show in Sydney – truly terrifying stuff!
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Steve Irwin, because our new music is WILD (thanks Hayley)!
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Osaka, so I could eat Okonomiyaki and practise my Japanese every single day.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Tyler Joseph, Brendon Urie, and Dan and Phil (they are counted as one person), so I can apologise for being an absolute nuisance on Twitter (iykyk).
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Mac and cheese bake with panko crumbs, deep-fried chips and southern fried cauliflower (beige meal), then lemon meringue pie for dessert (superior dessert and the only colour this meal is getting).
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Being blessed with owning a crusty white dog with attachment issues for the past ten-plus years of my life, it's a love-hate relationship (cats are awesome tho – fun fact, I used to foster kittens and I once had eight in my care at the same time).
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Pokemon cards and a bottle of tequila (wait I'm getting deja vu!).
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Last night! My team really shook up Iono at the Levincia gym – oh wait you mean irl?!
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Laundry, that sh.t objectively sucks – give me vacuuming or dishes any day.
Do you have any phobias... Drowning – to the point where I'd rather burn to death than drown (sorry if you've been subjected to me asking this question before, you know who you are).
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Nope, I can't stand criticism and hate being perceived, so this sounds like my worst nightmare – but if I had to choose, chuck me on 'Dream Academy', so I can at least get some free dance lessons.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? We'd probably just prank Jordan by telling him he's out of the band – low-hanging fruit, but guaranteed to yield the best results (also it's cute that you think we have friends).
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Hot-Star Fried Chicken (for their crispy fried king oyster mushrooms with plum salt) or UFC Kebab opposite Stay Gold. You both have my heart and my daily calorie intake.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Glinda, because it's all about me all the time (but I'm also a deeply complex human being behind all that).
Last show you binge-watched? I hate to admit it but I'm not much of a TV show girl, I'd rather be watching three-hour drama/ conspiracy deep dives/ true crime cases on YouTube.
nightlife 2025 Tour Dates
Wed 3 Sep - The Brightside @ BIGSOUND (Brisbane)Thu 4 Sep - Ric's Backyard @ BIGSOUND (Brisbane)
Sun 7 Sep - Converge Festival @ The Brightside (Brisbane)
Sun 14 Sep - Converge Festival @ Max Watts (Melbourne)
