April 01, 2026

INTERVIEW: TAHLIA HOPE: A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM

Ever since starting my blog almost 6 years ago, even before diving into the interview adventure part of it all, one of the most beautiful things to experience has been seeing the number of clicks coming from countries other than my own. If I were to take a look at the clicks of the past month, they come from more than fifteen different countries, such as Sweden, Germany, and Ireland. Tahlia Hope isn't originally from Montreal. She arrived in Montreal last fall, all the way from South Australia. Tahlia messaged me explaining she just moved to Montreal from Australia and is trying to “get her name out there a bit more with her music”. The Australian singer also mentioned how she has been seeing my “cool posts” (her words, not mine, thank you so much). Messages like hers bring me so much joy. That's exactly why I take the time to do what I do. I want to support upcoming artists and help them in any way that I can. Whether it's by conducting a compelling interview they will be proud of, or perhaps enabling them to gain new listeners (even if it's just a few). It matters. From seeing snow for the first time to how some of her shows felt like movie scenes, Tahlia and I discussed various topics during this lovely interview. Thank you, Tahlia, for letting me be part of your journey!

A picture Tahlia Hope took of herself

You are originally from Australia. What made you want to come to Montreal?

I wanted to try with my music. Even if nothing comes out of it, I want to give it my best shot. Let's just move! The worst that can happen...I got to move to a new country for a couple of years. I heard the music scene here is amazing! Every gig I have been to so far (in Montreal), the vibe is night and day compared to Australia. I'm enjoying it so far. I have been here for 3 months. I'm a big Jazz fan as well. It inspires a lot of my music. I heard about Jazz Fest.

What was your first impression of Montreal?

I arrived here during autumn. The leaves were changing so it was the most gorgeous experience. We don't really have seasons in Australia. It's either really hot or miserable cold. I got to see autumn two weeks before winter started. I noticed how many activities are happening. Basketball courts are being used. There are always people playing tennis. The city feels alive, constantly awake. It's really cool!

How have you been dealing with winter so far?

I have been sick for two months, It's been a struggle. It was kind of dumb to move at this time. We had just finished winter in Australia. The season of depression and sickness is real. Once I'm not sick, it will be fine. I got the flu over the Christmas break. I had never experienced negative degrees before except once when I was hiking. It was -3 or something. The weather here was definitely a shock to the system. I saw snow for the first time. That was magical. I liked that part.

Here's a "Short"/TikTok Tahlia filmed in the snow to promote her song "Bones"

How similar and different is the Montreal music scene compared to the Adelaide one?

There are pros and cons to both. In South Australia specifically, you can message a bunch of places "I'm a musician. Can I play at your venue?" One place out of ten will say yes. Here, a lot of places ask me to pay and ask me to have a following. It's definitely a struggle when I come from a place where I knew everything that was happening. I knew how to get a crowd going. People knew who I was. I don't have any community here. I'm excited for the challenge. The amount of venues here is insane. There were three proper venues where you could play in South Australia. Here, there is one on every corner. Even posting on TikTok, the amount of activity I am getting here in comparison to Australia is crazy. I went to New York for a week and my song had 1000 listens in one day. I didn't even post anything. How did this happen?

Have discovered any local artists you particularly love so far?

Becca Bartlett. I moved here and instantly spotted her. Really nice Indie-Folk sort of vibes.

Is there an artist or band that inspired you to start your musical journey?

Julie Andrews. I have been in musical theater since I was 6 years old. I performed in The Sound of Music as Gretl. I always looked up to Julie Andrews. I played in a lot of her musicals.

Is there anybody who has inspired you recently?

I recently discovered Raye. She's an inspiration for having a bit more fun with music and writing. A lot of my writing, I have put so much soul and depth into it.

You have a few songs out "So Mean", "Frankenstein", "Into Wonderland" (and "Bones” which was not out at the time when the interview was conducted, it is out now). Which one are you the most proud of?

"Frankenstein"! I put it out on Halloween. It was very unfortunate though. I was in Japan at the time. In Japan, if you are a foreigner, TikTok is banned (not exactly). I couldn't open it. I was going to film content in Japan. I definitely shot myself in the foot. I put my absolute heart and soul into that song. It's still my favourite song to this day.

I was about to ask; can we expect new music soon?

"I have a song called "Bones" coming out very soon. It's a ballad that I have been working on for a bit over a year now. I'm so proud of how it has come together. It showcases my piano skills. I have been playing since I was 12.

Speaking of releasing new music, do you enjoy the whole promotion aspect of it?

I definitely do when I have an objective. When I have a new song coming out, it's my favourite thing. I'm just trying to show who I am. I'm trying not to take myself too seriously and just enjoy being where I am and doing what I'm doing and not stress about embarrassing myself or being a bit goofy. I just want to appreciate the fact that I have the opportunity to do this. That's what matters.

Have you thought about releasing an EP at some point (perhaps in the near future)?

That's a project for in a year or two. I had an epiphany the other day. I just need to release music as much as I can. I have three songs ready to be released. Funny story, when I got here, I managed to delete all of them completely. It was a long process to contact the guy who owns the studio. It took weeks and weeks.

*Tahlia showed me the artwork for her upcoming single at the time, "Bones".

I take a lot of pride in making single covers. I love photography. I work really hard. I spend hours upon hours making them. This latest one took me three hours. I made all of the single covers myself.

The artwork for Tahlia Hope's song "Bones", made by Tahlia Hope herself

You covered a lot of songs. Do you remember the first song you ever covered (even if it wasn't posted anywhere)?

Technically, I posted my first cover when I was 8 years old. It was a Meghan Trainor song, "Dear Future Husband". Being in musical theater, the first song was "My Favourite Things" from "The Sound of Music". I would sing the entire Phantom of the Opera discography for my family. The cover I remember the most (I was learning piano and wanted to get better) is "Talking to the Moon" by Bruno Mars. I did two videos of that song. I was 12 when I did the first one. It wasn't good. I didn't know how to use to my head voice. I was basically yelling it. I did another video two years later. "Wow, I have come a long way." I still perform that song at gigs. People request it and have no idea how much that song means to me. It's the first song I properly learned.

Can you think of a song that feels like therapy to you these days?

"Doomsday" by Lizzy McAlpine. That one is one of my all time favourites. It always really gets me. It feels like she's writing about my life sometimes. "Bruises" by Reneé Rapp and "Silver Spoon" by Erin LeCount are also good ones.

If you could work with one Australian artist and one Canadian artist on a song, who would you choose?

As for a Canadian, I would have to say the artist I mentioned earlier, Becca Bartlett. It would be insane. As for Australians, I would say Angus and Julia Stone. They also have inspired me throughout my entire life.

Have any moment(s) from your musical journey felt like a movie scene (recording a song, playing a show)?

For my going away party, I did a show. There was a moment where I covered "The Subway" by Chappell Roan. I changed the lyrics from "I'm moving to Saskatchewan" to "I'm moving to Montreal". Everyone went wild. It was such a fun moment. Another moment would be when I performed for my 21st birthday. I performed my song "Into Wonderland" and my friends were all singing along. Everyone knew every single word. It was the most wholesome thing. I had a dress, a tiara, and my guitar. The song had only been out for two days. "How is this real?" One last moment would be that play I had written and released. My play was all about teaching kids how you can have more than one single purpose in life. "Keep going, keep experimenting." It was the second to last show. I had been asked to tour around Australia by the commissioner of Canberra. I saw my whole family in the audience. My grandma was choking up and crying. My brother's fiancé was crying. There is one final song and it's me singing. I went down, sat next to my grandma, and finished it.

Can you believe that by reading this interview, you will have discovered an amazing Australian artist before some Australian people? Some will say it does not matter. I say it's pretty cool. Also, despite the fact that the play Tahlia mentioned in her last answer was addressed to kids, I think it's an important reminder for adults, too. No matter how old we are, it's more than okay to have more than one single purpose in this life. I would even go as far as saying it's a very healthy thing. No matter who you are, how young or old you are, keep chasing what makes you happy. Oh, and don't forget to give Tahlia's music a listen.

Your favourite internationally reknown interviewer,

Ariane