Over the past decade, Australian singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts has forged a distinctive path through indie-folk, captivating listeners with his deeply personal lyrics and grassroots spirit. Known for blending emotive storytelling with a minimalist, soulful sound, Ziggy’s music invites listeners to look inward and embrace life’s simplest yet most profound moments.
As he prepares to unveil his seventh studio album, New Love, on February 21, Ziggy finds himself at his most introspective, offering a raw, heartfelt reflection on love, second chances, and the magic hidden within everyday experiences. We’re thrilled to sit down with Ziggy to explore the inspirations behind New Love, discuss his evolving creative process, and discover how his independent ethos continues to shape his journey as an artist.
Join us as we delve into the stories, challenges, and triumphs behind New Love—and catch a glimpse of the man who continues to redefine indie-folk by staying true to his heart and his craft.
Grateful Web: New Love is your seventh studio album. How would you describe the overall sound and theme you’ve created this time around, and what new directions or influences helped shape it?
Ziggy Alberts: “New Love feels like a new chapter for me – but at the same time is a sequel or evolution to my 2018 album, Laps Around The Sun. I was focused on getting back to my roots of making music - writing songs that bring people together and make them want to sing and dance. I wrote some of the songs while I was on a world tour in 2023 and I got back in touch with the joy of writing music purposefully meant to be played live to people – so I road-tested them during soundchecks and in a few live sets. Doing that helped me understand how I wanted the songs to be produced - I wanted these songs to feel alive on stage, not just in the studio. There are definitely some new influences, which is probably a reflection of the music I’ve been listening to over the last 2 years – side A of the record leans into folk, rock and country, whereas side B is a little darker. There’s a push and pull, a contrast – North vs South.”
Reflective Process
GW: You’ve described this album as your “most reflective.” Can you share some of the personal experiences or realizations that sparked these reflections on love and second chances?
Ziggy Alberts: “I want to leave the lyrics in the songs to speak for themselves, and for people to draw their own meanings from them, but what I will say is - love isn’t always easy, and the hardest moments often shape us the most. I’ve come to realise that life isn’t about perfection, and neither is love - it’s about learning, evolving, and choosing to move forward and turn your own pages.”
Songwriting Journey
GW: When you first started writing New Love, what was the initial spark or moment of inspiration? Did it evolve in unexpected ways as you continued writing and recording?
Ziggy Alberts: “I wrote ‘New Love’ in the middle of the UK leg of my 2023 world tour. It was a song that reflected where I was at, in that moment of writing. Which was different from my usual approach of writing; where I’d write about things or moments that either already happened or what I wanted to happen. It captured how I felt and what was unfolding in my life, and instead of providing a resolution, it was nice to write about precisely how things were/are. To me, New Love is more than just a song. It marks the beginning of that new chapter in my personal life, where I turned a page and things started to get better for the first time in along time.”
Independent Spirit
GW: You’re known for a grassroots, independent approach to making music. How has this ethos influenced the creation and promotion of New Love?
Ziggy Alberts: “Being independent has always been at the core of who I am. I’ve been independent since the very start of my career, so it’s part and parcel with my music and my process. I also don’t know any different. In the early days, I was busking, playing wherever I could - backyards, small pub gigs - just finding any way to share my songs. It was word of mouth that carried my music from small towns to bigger cities, and I owe so much to the people who supported me along the way. That same spirit still drives how we share music today - it’s as simple as one person sharing my music with a friend. That always makes a difference.”
Emotional Vulnerability
GW: Tracks on your album often have a raw quality. Were there moments in the recording process that felt particularly vulnerable for you, and how did you navigate those feelings?
Ziggy Alberts: “It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to put your heart on the line like that. But I’ve learned over time to sit with those vulnerable moments and let them feed the music. And so much of the time, you’re never alone in those feelings - that’s clearest to me when I see people connect and relate to my songs.”
Second Chances
GW: The album touches on the idea of second chances. Why is this theme important to you right now, and how do you hope it resonates with listeners?
Ziggy Alberts: “Second chances are a universal human experience - whether it’s in relationships, life choices, or just being open to change. For me, it’s been about learning to forgive, not just others, but myself. Right now, I feel like it’s important to remind people that they can always start over, even when it feels like they’ve missed their chance.”
Simplicity in Music
GW: You’ve mentioned finding “magic in simplicity.” How do you balance minimalism with the need to keep listeners engaged and surprised throughout the album?
Ziggy Alberts: “I think it’s about being minimal but not simple. Theres definitely a sweet spot where you let intention of the lyrics and the instruments be heard for themselves. I’ll describe this album production as a smartened-up bedroom recording. It’s not over produced, but its intentional.”
Evolution as a Musician
GW: With six previous studio albums behind you, in what ways have you seen your music and creative perspective evolve over time?
Ziggy Alberts: “Every album feels like a reflection of where I’m at personally. Over time, I’ve learned to trust my instincts more and lean into my own voice. There’s a maturity in how I approach my songwriting now, a better understanding of who I am and what I want to say. But at the heart of it, it’s still me.”
Recording Environment
GW: Where did you record the album, and how did the setting or environment influence the sound and spirit of New Love?
Ziggy Alberts: “We recorded the album in Garrett Kato’s sweet home studio in the Northern Rivers, NSW Australia. Garrett and I have been friends for years so we’ve got a great flow when we work together - and hilarious banter which makes the sessions a lot of fun. One of my favourite parts was weaving in voice memo recordings from my phone into the tracks - nature sounds, kookaburras singing in the trees. Little moments like that bring me back to my roots, remind me of home and give the album an organic, grounded feel.”
Audience Connection
GW: You’ve built a loyal fan base through intimate live shows and authentic storytelling. How do you hope New Love deepens the connection between you and your listeners?
Ziggy Alberts: “To be honest, I don’t have many expectations for this album, I just want to let what will be, be.
The only thing I do hope for, is that I can continue touring, continue playing to people and staying present and connected to the places I visit and the crowds that I meet.”
Live Performances
GW: When you think about taking New Love on tour, how do you envision translating these reflective, intimate songs to a live setting?
Ziggy Alberts: “Because I’ve been road-testing these songs over the last couple of tours and was really intentional about producing the record with live performance in mind, I feel good about how they’ll translate on stage. At my shows, I’ve got two rules - everyone has fun and singalong, and that we all look after each other. That’s the kind of energy I want to keep building. More connection, more singing, more moments like that.”
Artistic Routine
GW: Can you walk us through a typical “creative day” in the making of New Love? What were the habits or rituals that kept you grounded?
Ziggy Alberts: “I recorded this album over four weeks in summer – and it was probably the first time in my life where I had something close to a structured ‘9-5’ routine. Mornings always started with meditation, Wim Hof breathing, or an ice bath - then a coffee and a dip in the ocean before heading to the studio. Then once we finished, back in the ocean for a surf before dinner. It was such a good month – having that balance really shaped the energy of the record.”
Advice to Emerging Artists
GW: Given your journey from busking to releasing your seventh album independently, what piece of advice would you offer to up-and-coming singer-songwriters hoping to find their own path?
Ziggy Alberts: “Anything is possible. And I hope I can be an example that if you want to, you can.”
Looking Ahead
GW: With New Love about to be released, what are you most excited for in the near future—musically, personally, or both?
Ziggy Alberts: “I’ve got a nice big year ahead, another world tour – playing some incredible shows (like Royal Albert Hall in London!). But also have some nice personal surf trips planned which I’m excited for. Honestly, I’m just happy to be healthy and doing what I love. I’m excited for what the year has to offer!”
