Tyla Rodrigues is part of a new wave of Australian country artists bringing a fresh, globally minded perspective to the genre. Blending modern country with pop and Americana influences, she has been steadily building momentum at home with a series of releases that showcase her warm, expressive vocal and a strong instinct for melody. Her songwriting leans into themes of identity, independence and emotional honesty, positioning her as an artist who balances commercial appeal with a clear sense of self.
That growing profile has started to carry beyond Australia, with Rodrigues taking her music to international audiences, including appearances at events like C2C Festival in London. Her live performances highlight both her vocal ability and her natural connection with a crowd, helping her stand out among a new generation of emerging artists. As she continues to release new music and expand her reach, Rodrigues is establishing herself as one to watch, with a sound that travels easily across borders while staying rooted in country storytelling. We caught up with her at C2C in London to talk all about it.
Welcome to England. How are you finding it — you’ve been here a few days now, right?
Thank you! Yeah, I have, and you know what, it hasn’t been too bad in terms of jet lag because I was actually in Berlin beforehand. So coming over here was only about an hour difference, which made the adjustment a lot easier. Honestly, though, the biggest shock has been the cold. I thought I was prepared after Berlin, but London has definitely tested me — I’ve been freezing! That said, I absolutely love it here. The city is beautiful, the energy is amazing, and it’s been such a special experience already.
Is this your first time in Europe, and have you managed to see much while you’re here?
Yes, it’s my first time, which makes it even more exciting. I only really had one proper day to explore — we flew in Thursday night and had Friday to look around — but I tried to make the most of it. I got to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, we went past Tower Bridge, saw the London Eye and all the iconic sights. Even in that short time, I could tell how incredible the city is. It definitely made me want to come back, spend more time here, and of course play more shows.
Where does playing here at C2C rank for you in terms of your career so far?
Honestly, it’s probably number one. When I first started making country music, there was never really a plan to turn it into a career — I just loved singing and music. I never imagined I’d be able to do this professionally in Australia, let alone travel to the other side of the world and have people singing my songs back to me. That’s something I still struggle to wrap my head around. It feels surreal, but in the best way possible.
You’ve already played some big stages in Australia — what have those experiences taught you as a performer?
I feel incredibly grateful for every step of the journey, especially the early ones. Before the bigger stages, I spent a couple of years playing multiple shows every weekend in bars and pubs around Brisbane. Those were the places where you really have to earn people’s attention — you’re competing with noise, distractions, and people who aren’t necessarily there to see you. That taught me how to connect with an audience and how to hold a room. So when I got the chance to play bigger stages and tour with artists like Dylan Gossett, I already had that foundation. At the same time, it’s an industry where you never stop learning. Watching how other artists operate, how they treat their teams and their support acts — all of that has shaped me as much as the performances themselves.
Your music blends traditional country with a modern emotional edge — who influenced that sound growing up?
I actually grew up listening to a really wide range of music. Everything from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to Amy Winehouse, alongside country legends like Randy Travis, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. So I think that mix naturally shaped what I do now. But what always drew me to country music was the storytelling — the honesty and truth in the songs. Artists like Vince Gill, Randy Travis and Miranda Lambert really influenced me in that way. From the beginning, I made a promise to myself that whatever I write has to be honest, because if you’re not connected to what you’re saying, people will feel that.
Is there a song from your EP that you feel especially connected to?
It’s hard to choose because every song represents a different moment or feeling in my life, but ‘If Walls Could Talk' is definitely one that means a lot to me. I wrote it about moving away from my hometown back in 2019, which was a really transitional time. I was stepping into adulthood, figuring things out, and dealing with the emotions that come with leaving everything familiar behind. It’s a song that still feels very close to me because of that.
Looking back on that EP now, would you change anything?
No, I don’t think I would. I got some great advice early on, which was to always be proud of the music you release, no matter what. The industry can be full of pressure and opinions about what you should or shouldn’t do, but at the end of the day, you have to stand by your work. Of course, I’ve grown a lot since those early songs, but I can still look back at them and feel proud of where I was at the time. And what’s amazing is that people are still connecting with those songs now — even my very first release still gets mentioned by fans, which is really special.
Your newer music feels like a step forward — would you describe this as a new era for you?
I do think it’s a new era, but more in the sense that it reflects where I am now. Every project is like a time capsule — it captures what you’ve been through, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve grown. Over the past year or two, I’ve experienced a lot of personal growth. I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone, faced challenges, and learned more about myself and the people around me. That’s all influenced the music. It’s made me reflect on what I really want — both in life and in my career — and reaffirm that this is the path I want to pursue. So this new music is about holding onto that clarity and chasing it fully.
Where do you usually draw your inspiration from when writing?
A lot of it comes from my own experiences — I’m definitely someone who feels things deeply. But I also draw inspiration from conversations with others, from hearing their stories, and from collaborating. Co-writing has been a big learning curve for me over the past year. Before that, I wrote everything on my own, and I started to feel like I was repeating myself. Writing with others brings new perspectives — you might walk into a room with a feeling you think is unique, and suddenly there are three other people who’ve felt the same thing in different ways. That makes the story richer and more layered, and I’ve really come to love that process.
If you could write with anyone in Nashville, who would it be?
Miranda Lambert or John Randall, without a doubt. Their project ‘The Marfa Tapes' had a huge impact on me. It actually played a big role in making me fall in love with songwriting. The way they stripped everything back and focused purely on the songs and the storytelling — that’s what I love most about music. Writing with them would be incredible, even if I’d probably be very nervous!
Do you see yourself moving to Nashville, or are you happy building your career internationally?
It’s something I think about a lot, and it’s a question I get asked often. I love Nashville — it’s such an inspiring place — but right now I’m really enjoying being able to grow my audience in multiple places. I get to go home to my family and my life in Australia, but also travel to Nashville to write and perform, and then come over to Europe for opportunities like this. Long term, I’d love to spend time living in Nashville, and maybe in London too, but for now I’m just enjoying the journey and seeing where it takes me.
It feels like an exciting time in country music globally, doesn’t it?
It really does. Social media has opened so many doors and made it possible for artists from anywhere to be discovered. It’s no longer just about where you’re from — it’s about the music. You see artists rising from all over the world, and audiences are connecting with them regardless of geography. That’s really exciting, especially for artists like me who aren’t based in Nashville full-time.
Thank you for your time today and safe travels back home!
Thank you so much for having me! I can't wait to come back again soon.
Check out Tyla's excellent EP ‘ Hold on Tight' which came out in February in all the usual places.
