CREATIVE DUOS //
AMY DOWDLE

CREATIVE DUOS //
AMY DOWDLE

BEC + BRIDGE is a brand founded by two creatives, Bec Cooper and Bridge Yorston, who came together fortuitously and quickly realised their harmonious duality to create contemporary wear for women. Celebrating other Creative Duos, we chat with Amy Dowdle, one half of the Japanese electronic music duo, Lastlings, on harnessing creativity in partnership.

 

Together with her brother Josh, the duo harbour a powerful, slow-burning energy and a deep dedication to their craft that has set them far and apart across today’s musical landscape. Amy is the enchanting vocalist, while Josh is the producer. Their latest album 'First Contact' evokes emotions of nostalgia. Read on to discover more on their creative duality and shop Amy’s looks.

BEC + BRIDGE is a brand founded by two creatives, Bec Cooper and Bridge Yorston, who came together fortuitously and quickly realised their harmonious duality to create contemporary wear for women. Celebrating other Creative Duos, we chat with Amy Dowdle, one half of the Japanese electronic music duo, Lastlings, on harnessing creativity in partnership.

 

Together with her brother Josh, the duo harbour a powerful, slow-burning energy and a deep dedication to their craft that has set them far and apart across today’s musical landscape. Amy is the enchanting vocalist, while Josh is the producer. Their latest album 'First Contact' evokes emotions of nostalgia.

 

Read on to discover more on their creative duality and shop Amy’s looks.

We want to know how Lastlings, yourself and Josh, work in your creative duality? Talk us through your partnership? How do you compliment each other in creating music?

The way we work has evolved quite a lot over time. Our creative process is very collaborative. I am the vocalist and write the lyrics, and Josh is the producer. Usually, we start off with ideas on our own and come together to finish the tracks.

 

We are pretty lucky to be brother and sister, as we can be brutally honest with each other when it comes to feedback. We both have quite similar artistic visions which is really convenient for this project. There are some things that we do not agree on from time to time - but we are usually pretty into each other's ideas and choices.

We want to know how Lastlings, yourself and Josh, work in your creative duality? Talk us through your partnership? How do you compliment each other in creating music?

The way we work has evolved quite a lot over time. Our creative process is very collaborative. I am the vocalist and write the lyrics, and Josh is the producer. Usually, we start off with ideas on our own and come together to finish the tracks.

 

We are pretty lucky to be brother and sister, as we can be brutally honest with each other when it comes to feedback. We both have quite similar artistic visions which is really convenient for this project. There are some things that we do not agree on from time to time - but we are usually pretty into each other's ideas and choices.

How do you harness your creativity on your own, and together, when creating music?

I try to write every day. I definitely have days where I get writer's block. When that happens I will watch a film, read a book, see a friend or go for a walk. Doing those things usually spark inspiration and I then go back to my laptop, piano or notes and try to write something.

 

When Josh and I write together we usually have a movie playing on a screen in front of us. When we were writing our album ‘First Contact’ we would put films like Blade Runner 2049, Akira, Cloud Atlas and documentaries like Planet Earth on in the background.

'We start off with ideas on our own and come together to finish the tracks. We are pretty lucky to be brother and sister, as we can be brutally honest with each other.'

You draw a lot of inspiration for your music from your Japanese heritage, tell us about that?

Our mum is Japanese and our dad is Australian. We grew up watching a lot of anime and were lucky enough to go on trips to Japan to visit family whilst growing up. My favourite films to watch are all the Studio Ghibli films.

 

The worlds that the characters live in are so otherworldly and inspiring. I have also always been so fascinated by the beautiful landscapes and architecture that Japan has to offer. There are a lot of locations over there that you just can’t find here in Australia. Snow has also had a huge influence on my songwriting too.

 

A lot of the lyrics were written in Japan when I went on a trip there with my mum in 2018. I spent a lot of time looking out the window at my grandparents home watching the snowfall. It was so peaceful - the perfect environment to write in.

Describe your personal style?

I think my personal style is kind of all over the place and usually depends on what mood I am in. I normally go for items that are minimal and comfortable.

 

My wardrobe is mostly black and grey with a lot of items that have interesting cuts. I also have lots of items that are more daring and colourful for when I’m in the mood.

'I have also always been so fascinated by the beautiful landscapes and architecture that Japan has to offer.'

How do you harness your creativity on your own, and together, when creating music?

I try to write every day. I definitely have days where I get writer's block. When that happens I will watch a film, read a book, see a friend or go for a walk. Doing those things usually spark inspiration and I then go back to my laptop, piano or notes and try to write something.

 

When Josh and I write together we usually have a movie playing on a screen in front of us. When we were writing our album ‘First Contact’ we would put films like Blade Runner 2049, Akira, Cloud Atlas and documentaries like Planet Earth on in the background.

We want to know how Lastlings, yourself and Josh, work in your creative duality? Talk us through your partnership? How do you compliment each other in creating music?

The way we work has evolved quite a lot over time. Our creative process is very collaborative. I am the vocalist and write the lyrics, and Josh is the producer. Usually, we start off with ideas on our own and come together to finish the tracks.

 

We are pretty lucky to be brother and sister, as we can be brutally honest with each other when it comes to feedback. We both have quite similar artistic visions which is really convenient for this project. There are some things that we do not agree on from time to time - but we are usually pretty into each other's ideas and choices.

We want to know how Lastlings, yourself and Josh, work in your creative duality? Talk us through your partnership? How do you compliment each other in creating music?

The way we work has evolved quite a lot over time. Our creative process is very collaborative. I am the vocalist and write the lyrics, and Josh is the producer. Usually, we start off with ideas on our own and come together to finish the tracks.

 

We are pretty lucky to be brother and sister, as we can be brutally honest with each other when it comes to feedback. We both have quite similar artistic visions which is really convenient for this project. There are some things that we do not agree on from time to time - but we are usually pretty into each other's ideas and choices.

'We start off with ideas on our own and come together to finish the tracks. We are pretty lucky to be brother and sister, as we can be brutally honest with each other.'

You draw a lot of inspiration for your music from your Japanese heritage, tell us about that?

Our mum is Japanese and our dad is Australian. We grew up watching a lot of anime and were lucky enough to go on trips to Japan to visit family whilst growing up. My favourite films to watch are all the Studio Ghibli films.

 

The worlds that the characters live in are so otherworldly and inspiring. I have also always been so fascinated by the beautiful landscapes and architecture that Japan has to offer. There are a lot of locations over there that you just can’t find here in Australia. Snow has also had a huge influence on my songwriting too.

 

A lot of the lyrics were written in Japan when I went on a trip there with my mum in 2018. I spent a lot of time looking out the window at my grandparents home watching the snowfall. It was so peaceful - the perfect environment to write in.

'I have also always been so fascinated by the beautiful landscapes and architecture that Japan has to offer.'

Describe your personal style?

I think my personal style is kind of all over the place and usually depends on what mood I am in. I normally go for items that are minimal and comfortable.

 

My wardrobe is mostly black and grey with a lot of items that have interesting cuts. I also have lots of items that are more daring and colourful for when I’m in the mood.

What's your favourite piece from the collection, and why?

My favourite piece from the collection would have to be the ‘Magenta Magic Bodice’. The colour is magic and the cut is so fun! I am going to wear it to every festival and rave when everything opens back up.

What's your favourite piece from the collection, and why?

My favourite piece from the collection would have to be the ‘Magenta Magic Bodice’. The colour is magic and the cut is so fun! I am going to wear it to every festival and rave when everything opens back up.

Lastly, what’s next for Lastlings?

The music industry has been affected so much by the pandemic, so it is super hard to know.

 

However, we are trying to write as much music as possible during these difficult times. We have a few festivals in Australia lined up for the end of this year and we are hoping to go to the states in 2022 to play some shows.

Lastly, what’s next for Lastlings?

The music industry has been affected so much by the pandemic, so it is super hard to know.

 

However, we are trying to write as much music as possible during these difficult times. We have a few festivals in Australia lined up for the end of this year and we are hoping to go to the states in 2022 to play some shows.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JESSICA ALEECE 
 
PHOTOGRAPHY: JESSICA ALEECE 
 

SHOP AMY'S LOOKS

SHOP AMY'S LOOKS