Special Friend: The Indie Pop Sensation
Special Friend is the musical project of Australian singer-songwriter and producer Eloise Grace. Emerging from Melbourne's vibrant DIY scene, the artist achieved a notable commercial milestone with the 2022 album "Soft Focus" reaching number 12 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Early career
Eloise Grace began writing and recording bedroom pop demos in 2016 while studying sound design. The project, christened Special Friend, first gained traction online with the self-released 2018 EP "Static Patterns," which led to a signing with the independent label Double Double Whammy for its Australian distribution.
Breakthrough
The breakthrough arrived in 2021 with the single "Easy Now," which garnered extensive streaming playlist placement and radio support on triple j. This set the stage for the 2022 debut album "Soft Focus," released via Double Double Whammy in partnership with [PIAS], which was certified Gold in Australia and spawned several alternative radio hits.
Key tracks
Easy Now — This 2021 single became Special Friend's first major radio hit, defining the project's blend of shimmering synths and introspective lyrics.
Soft Focus — The title track from the debut album showcases a perfected dream-pop production style and earned a nomination for the Australian Music Prize.
Holding Pattern — A collaboration with producer Oscar Key Sung, this track highlighted a rhythmic, dance-oriented evolution in the artist's sound.
Silver Lake — This fan-favorite B-side from the "Easy Now" single release demonstrated the early lo-fi charm that built the initial online following.
Following the success of "Soft Focus," Special Friend embarked on extensive international touring, including support slots for artists like Japanese Breakfast. A 2023 collaborative single with fellow Melbourne artist Hatchie, "Parallel Lines," further expanded the project's reach within the indie pop sphere.
For fans of the nuanced, melodic style of Special Friend, our platform also features music from similar artists. Hatchie shares a similar affinity for lush, shoegaze-inflected pop production. The Beths offer a comparable energy with guitar-driven hooks and clever songwriting. Alfie Templeman operates in a related space of youthful, genre-blending indie pop. Mitski provides a parallel in deeply personal lyricism set against expansive musical arrangements.
The music of Special Friend maintains a strong presence in radio rotations, particularly on modern alternative rock radio stations and dedicated indie music radio stations that champion contemporary guitar and synth-based sounds. Online indie pop radio streams frequently feature tracks from "Soft Focus" alongside newer singles, cementing the project's status in the current landscape.
Listeners can explore the distinctive indie pop of Special Friend through the various radio stations available on onairium.com, where tracks like "Easy Now" and "Soft Focus" are regularly featured in programming designed for discovery of compelling modern artists.
