At just 15 years old, Lucy Sugerman first captivated millions of Australians when she won a place as a finalist on the sixth series of The Voice Australia, after being chosen during her initial audition by Kelly Rowland, Seal and Boy George, and receiving coaching from Seal throughout the series. Audiences were charmed by her precocious talents as a performer, and her presence as a gracious and intelligent young woman. Lucy is now 23 years old, and just this week is performing her own music at the world-renowned festival SXSW (South by SouthWest). Since her appearance on Australian TV years ago, she has released multiple singles and EPs, performed at BigSound and other large festivals, and along with her work as a songwriter and musician, she is currently working as a radio presenter on Australia’s Triple J Unearthed, for MusicACT, and completing a law degree.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Lucy and Chris dive deep into the realities of being an artist today—from the tension between creativity and commerce to the impact of social media on self-worth. Lucy opens up about her struggles with self-promotion, the pressure to engage in online activism, and the challenges of finding meaning in an industry that can feel contrived. They also explore disillusionment with mainstream narratives, how Australia’s response to COVID-19 reshaped trust in government institutions, and why faith and community matter more than ever.
🔹 Topics Covered:
The reality of balancing art and business
Why self-promotion is an unavoidable part of success
How social media distorts self-worth for artists
Finding one’s footing in digital activism and collapsing societal narratives
The role of faith, reflection, and stillness in a fast-paced world
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/endrey
Follow the show: https://www.instagram.com/chrisendreypodcast/
Follow Lucy Sugerman: https://www.instagram.com/lucysugerman/
And for those who loved the episode, check out Lucy’s teenage origin story as an aspiring hopeful on the Voice Australia here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btWhfOeG3eI&ab_channel=TheVoiceGlobal
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:08 Why do you Write Music?
02:12 Songwriting about Meaningful Topics
06:06 Navigating Self-Promotion in the Music Industry
12:16 Getting Validation from Social Media
14:55 The Generational Impact of Technology
17:18 Performing as yourself versus as a persona
21:14 Contemplating Life Goals and Faith
24:43 Discomfort with Digital Activism
28:13 Self Growth is Cringing at Your Past Self
29:10 The Hijacking of Our Consciousness by Smartphones
32:26 Disillusionment with Societal Narratives
36:05 The Impact of COVID-19 on Trust
39:31 Faith as a Response to Betrayal
44:42 Navigating Personal Desires and Community
49:48 Productivity vs Creativity
54:26 Hedging a Music Career with a Law Degree
59:13 Seeking Stillness and Reflection
