Who is Garret Lyon?
I am a proud Darumbal & Wulli-Wulli man who loves to sing, dance and is always daydreaming. I’m emotional, empathetic, love making people laugh and always hungry and can be a bit of an introvert at times and lock myself in my room. I love my family and friends, my nieces and nephews are the most important loves in my life and I miss them so much being on the road. I love to create/write lyrics and I also have a shopping problem.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I think I’d like to be a youth worker or teacher. Probably not the latter but something to do with kids. I love working with young people and seeing their eyes light up when they talk about what makes them happy.
Who inspires you and why?
My Nana & my Grandma. They are the matriarchs of both sides of my family and now that we are all getting older, I am definitely starting to realise how precious time is. They’ve both been such huge supporters of my career and my heart melts anytime they tell me how proud they are of me. It makes it all worth it.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Give more opportunities to young indigenous mob to excel in whatever field they choose with no discrimination or anything holding them back from reaching their full potential. Our young mob all have something special and it makes me sad when the world tells them NO they can’t be who they want to be or chase the dreams they have.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I don’t go on many holidays! Most of the destinations I’ve been to have been for “work” (although I hardly consider what I do work). Brazil was amazing and I’d love to go there again, in particular a beautiful coastal town called Paraty. I went over as part of a cultural exchange at 19 years old and met some amazing people over there.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The beaches I used to go to when I was a kid, my brother and I know of all these little caves at a place called Shelley’s Beach. Anytime I visit I always get a feeling of nostalgia.
What are you currently reading?
My (very dramatic) journal entries to try and write songs out of my thoughts, feelings and dreams that I’ve taken note of.
What are you currently listening to?
I have a lot of random songs from artists I’ve never heard of pop up on my algorithms which is really exciting. I’m currently looking for new inspiration for my own music, so I have a lot of different artists on rotation. I do really enjoy Jessica Mauboy’s Yours Forever album and also have just recently started listening to country music my parents used to play while I was growing up, which has been really cathartic and beautiful. I may be entering my country era.
Happiness is?
Cuddles and kisses and hearing “Uncle Garret” from my babies (nieces and nephews).
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully more work and travelling. I’ve become used to touring but I also want to focus on releasing music. It’s all a blur right now, there’s so much in the air, so finally having a plan for everything will be nice.
Garret stars as Frank Doyle in The Sunshine Club – which will be presented at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre on Friday 12 April 2024, as part of the national tour. For more information, visit: www.sydneycoliseum.com.au for details.
Image: Garret Lyon (supplied)