Q: Who are you and why do you exist?
A: I am Fleur. Do I need a reason to exist?!
Q: Is being an artist your full-time job? If not, what do you do to financially support yourself?
A: I like to be working on a few different things at any one time. I actually studied fine art (sculpture, performance and installation). But this year, I have mostly been working on my music. I have taken on various part-time jobs here and there to keep what I do financially viable. I have also recently started an online contemporary art gallery with my sister – globalartspace.org. I will always play and write music! Having just come back from the UK where I was traveling and touring, I am now living on my parents’ sheep and cattle farm in rural Australia. I plan to stay here until I get enough money together to go somewhere else (hopefully back to the USA at some point!). I also plan on touring here in a few months and am currently working on my next album. It is financially hard being an artist in a lot of ways but I think (hope) it is worth it!
Q: Why did you make this song? What does it mean to you?
A: I wrote the song just after I came back from an education abroad program at the University of California, Berkeley. I was really interested in the culture of homeless kids around the area and how they were living outside of society. So the song is sort of about a potential alternate world which begins with darkness (metaphorically or literally) and anarchy. Most of my songs have social and political elements but also elements of love, relationships and self-reflection.
Q: What do you want listeners to understand from this creation?
A: Whatever they want!
Q: How can people support you further?
A: Following online would be great! Social media is a great way to let fans and friends know what is happening with my music eg upcoming shows, releases etc.
Q: What is your ultimate vision for your work?
A: I want to get my music to as many people as possible.
Q: Do you consider your music to fall within a genre(s)?
A: Dark indie country noir dreamfolk.
Fleur Wiber’s Unraveled Design Details:
Printed on black. This snug-fitting lightweight cotton jersey t-shirt has a stylish contoured fit and is ideal for those with a smaller frame. Reinforced shoulder construction maintains shape after repeated washings. Durable double-stitched bottom hem and stretchable cotton collar for lasting comfort and durability. Made from 100% fine combed cotton jersey (except for color code heather gray: 90% cotton, 10% polyester), with a fabric weight of 4.3 oz. - Unraveled

Channeling a very calm Karen O in vocal, Fleur Wiber is the latest singer songwriter to tackle the path of macabre folk. Though treacherous, as Fleur proves, the trick pays off when done correctly.

The London-via-Melbourne musician released her debut EP Orderves in October of this year. Though young in career, Fleur Wiber has already carved out an impressive sound for herself. Sounding sort of like Kyla La Grange if the Oxford peer had hugged her spaghetti western instead of opting for high production antics; Fleur Wiber offers everything you can ask of a ‘weird’ folk musician and more. Lead song “Fire” is literally about sending lambs to the slaughter, but it’s sung in such a compelling and innocent manner, you’ll find yourself cooing it hours later.

Fleur’s influences are a funny bunch. Ranging from Bob Dylan to Mazzy Star, we’d wager these are more favourite artists than musicians who have actually affected the way Fleur approaches the drawing board. In sound she’s more likely to draw comparison to Dead Man’s Bones and Marika Hackman, sitting comfortably between the two.

Now based in London, Fleur Wiber is hoping to release her debut album in 2014. To keep up to date with news, head over to her ReverbNation page. Listen to “Fire” below. - Drunken Werewolf Magazine

Singer-songwriter Fleur Wiber will be performing live at the ArtsHub Conference. We find out more about her career as a musician.
Performer showcase: Fleur WiberImage by photographer Ella Condon
With the upcoming ArtsHub2015 Conference in Sydney just weeks away, we take a moment to get to know more about our talented conference featured performers. Fleur Wiber is a singer-songwriter who writes and performs dark, dreamy, hypnotic, folk-inspired music. We find out more about her path to becoming a musician.

​How did your act come together?

Writing and playing has always been something that I feel compelled to do. I think artists need to create, despite whether they even think they are very good at their craft! I am always trying to learn more about music and the world.

Music has long been a secret passion. I have always written poetry in the privacy of my own bedroom. As a kid I always enjoyed singing and formed a band with my sister and cousin when I was about 9. Our first song was called 'Love Lost at Sea'. It was quite good.

At University I studied sculpture and found art school to be a great place to connect with like-minded people. In 2011, I went on exchange to the university of California, Berkeley, and performed at some open mics and with some street musicians. That was the first time I performed publicly. It was an enlightening moment when my friend referred to me as a musician, because I always thought that was a title for other people who weren't me.

When I got back from California, I formed a band in Sydney with some really talented musicians I met through friends. Once I put myself out there and started performing these people ,really helped me out with gigs and recording. I think in the arts we all really need to support each other because it isn't just a one-man game, even if you're a solo performer!

We recorded my debut EP called Orderves as Fleur Wiber and the Apparations and I have been performing solo the past two years since touring in the UK.

What was your first booking as an artist?

I performed at a friend's house gig in Strathfield. They held awesome concerts at their house that was known as the Explicit Manor. It was really kind of them to give me the slot and test out performing in a supportive environment. There were some other awesome bands there who I have remained friends with.

What are the hardest business realities you face as a performer that people might not be aware of?

The question of how to earn a living is most challenging. If you are a sole trader, which most performers and artists are, you need to be familiarised with things like tax and legal aspects of running a business. I have made an effort to learn a lot more about that stuff lately just to cover myself.

Who inspires your work, past and present?

I would say a lot of my artist friends inspire my work as it is great to be around other people doing something similar to you. It is motivating and can make you feel less crazy and weird!

Some musicians I have been inspired by lately are local artists like Fabels, Dirt Picnic, Ghost Songs, Red Zora, Mikelangelo and international artists like Rowland S Howard, Billy Bragg, Sharon van Eden, The Veils and Bonnie Prince Billy.

How do you think the recent cuts to Australia Council funding will affect you?

It hasn't really sunk in for me yet. I applied for a grant in the last Australia Council round and it is sad to hear that the current round will be cancelled. I think there will be less art around generally which is really disappointing. Is is sad that the arts aren't a focus area in the Australian Government. I think we need to support innovation and creativity more as a nation.

What is the best compliment you have received had from an audience member?
'Your EP has been my favourite CD this year.'

What keeps you up awake at night?

Red, red wine. - Artshub

Leuspage is an Australian rapper and producer from Sydney, and he recently collaborated with Fluer Wiber – featured in the June 22nd episode of Eat This Music, which you can listen to here – on a track called ‘Voices In My Head’.

Everyone has a voice in their head, I just wish the one’s in my head were as calming as Fleur Wiber. I guess we know who the voices are in Leuspage’s head. Spoiler: it’s Fluer Wiber and her amazing voice.

While I was forwarded the above song by Leuspage, I thought I would go through his Soundcloud and check out some of his other work. I highly suggest having a listen to the follow tracks below that I really liked – featuring ‘Love Hungry’,’Sonshine’ and ‘Dungeon Heart’ – that you can listen to below: - Eat this Music