Gympie indie folk singer-songwriter Elke Louie has released her debut EP “Lavender”, a dreamy five-track coming-of-age record written across her teenage years.

The young Queensland artist’s new EP is out now, with South East Queensland and Victoria tour dates underway.

A hometown Gympie show has also been added for May 31 at Perseverance Street Theatre Company, where Louie will perform with special guests Those Folk.

The show brings the EP back to the place that shaped it, with Louie describing “Lavender” as a time capsule of growing up in a small town.

“Written across my teenage years in Gympie, Queensland, these songs hold memories of places, people, first love, comfort, confusion, and change,” Louie said.

“Each track captures moments of youth shaped by both pleasure and pain, preserving the emotions and experiences that defined who I was becoming.

“These songs are about holding onto those fleeting years while learning how to move beyond them.”

A dreamy debut from Gympie

The five-track EP includes the new single and title track “Lavender”, alongside earlier releases “Sandman” and “Killing Time”.

The songs have already received airplay in Australia and overseas, with “Lavender” given a first play on triple j and its video premiering through Frooty.

The official video for “Lavender” was self-directed by Louie with Liz Wilkinson and filmed around Gympie/Gubbi Gubbi Country.

Louie said the song arrived near the end of the EP process, after she realised the record was still missing a love song.

“I wrote Lavender while attending a writing retreat last year, shortly after finishing the other four tracks for the EP,” Louie said.

“I felt something was missing. I hadn’t written a love song yet.

“Stepping out of my routine, this song came together carefully and became the final piece that completed the record.

“This song is for my partner and best friend.”

Recorded with Those Folk

“Lavender” was recorded at Mantle Records with Clare Quinn and Lawrence Menard of Those Folk, who also helped produce the EP.

The pair said they were honoured to work on Louie’s debut release.

“Elke is an incredible songwriter with an effortless voice and musicality beyond her years,” Quinn and Menard said.

“We look forward to watching Elke’s career flourish in the years to come.”

Louie has also collaborated with artists including Jen Mize and Ayla, with her early singles drawing attention for their warm indie folk arrangements and quietly assured songwriting.

Elke Louie tour dates

• April 30 — Cave Inn, Brisbane, with Hati
• May 16 — Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
• May 31 — Perseverance Street Theatre Company, Gympie, with Those Folk
• July 1 — The Drunken Poet, Melbourne, for Wine, Whiskey, Women

“Lavender” is out now on streaming platforms.

Listen to Elke Louie on Spotify