Lakyn Heperi
Lakyn Heperi | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 28, 1992 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Known for | Participation in The Voice Australia; EPs Better Than That and Not Original Material |
Lakyn Heperi (born 28 April 1992) is a singer-songwriter and musician originally from New Zealand, currently based in Australia. He gained recognition through his participation in The Voice Australia, where he advanced to the quarterfinal stage. His first EP, titled Better Than That, was launched on 16 November 2012 under the Universal Music Australia label.
Early life
Raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Lakyn began piano lessons at the age of three, encouraged by his parents Anne-Maree and Doug. At 12 years old, he relocated with his family to Victoria, Australia. During his teenage years, Lakyn was involved in semi-professional skateboarding until an ankle injury forced an eight-month hiatus. During this recovery period, he dedicated himself to songwriting and developing his musical skills, sharing videos on YouTube that attracted millions of views and cultivated a substantial following. This online presence paved the way for his audition on The Voice. His musical inspirations include artists such as Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Jeff Buckley, and The Beatles.
The Voice Australia
Lakyn auditioned in Melbourne with an acoustic rendition of "Kids" by MGMT, accompanying himself on guitar. Both judges Joel Madden and Seal turned their chairs, and Lakyn opted to join Team Joel. In the battle round, he competed against Nick Len with a performance of "Big Jet Plane" by Angus & Julia Stone, emerging victorious. His studio version of "Big Jet Plane" became the first The Voice recording to reach number one on the Australian iTunes singles chart. Progressing through the live shows, he performed songs including "Forever Young" by Alphaville but was ultimately eliminated during the quarterfinals following his rendition of "Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure.
Performances
| Stage | Song | Original artist | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Audition | "Kids" | MGMT | Joined Team Joel |
| Battle Round | "Big Jet Plane" (versus Nick Len) | Angus Stone | Winner |
| Live Show Final, Part 2 | "Forever Young" | Alphaville | Public vote advanced |
| Live Show Final, Part 4 | "Friday I'm in Love" | The Cure | Eliminated |
| Dance Floor Anthem (with Team Joel) |
Good Charlotte |
Better Than That EP
Lakyn's debut EP, Better Than That, was released on 16 November 2012 through Universal Music Australia. This collection includes four original tracks alongside an acoustic cover of Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died in Your Arms." The EP received favorable reviews, with The AU Review praising its sophistication and emotional depth. On 20 January 2013, Lakyn unveiled the official music video for "Don't Tell Me," a song from this EP.
In April 2013, Lakyn collaborated with hip hop group Diafrix during Triple J's "Good Az Friday" event at Melbourne Town Hall, performing a cover of James Blake's "Retrograde." Additionally, he supported British vocalist Birdy on her Australian tour, sharing the stage with Lewis Watson.
Not Original Material EP
In January 2014, Lakyn launched his second EP titled Not Original Material through Universal Music Australia. This collection features five cover tracks and entered the charts at position 44 in July 2015.
Extended plays
| Title | EP information |
|---|---|
| Better Than That |
|
| Not Original Material |
|
| & Pains |
|