la. faithfull



Heart Back



Upon the release of her new single, Musicology gets to find out more about LA Faithfull as she shares with us some ink stories.






LA. Faithfull


With a tour set to be announced shortly, this thrilling indie pop artist cannot wait to show the world what she was born to do. LA. Faithful gives us a little personal insight about her body art and inspirations behind them.



Ursula, My Cat On My Left Forearm

This is my most treasured tattoo! It’s this beautiful memorial piece for my fur baby Ursie, who passed away in 2016. I know, crazy cat lady haha, but she was the first pet that was mine, I mean I picked her at the breeders and she was this gorgeous British Blue with orange eyes! She was very special and was with my family through a very tough time in our lives so I guess that’s why she meant so much to us. I love that every time I look at my arm she is there with me. Clare Clarity created such a beautiful tattoo for me!


Knuckle Tattoos

My knuckles are very special to me, because they remind me every time I look at my hands (which is a lot haha) to pursue my passion, which is music. The script across my knuckles looks like jewelry, but then when I put my fists up says On The Mic. I decided on this tattoo after reading a story about one of my favourite soul singers, Etta James, who mentioned once how lucky she is to be a singer - that no matter what emotion she was feeling, she could get it out “on the mic”. If she was sad or feeling angry she could sing through it and she would feel better once her performance was done! This really resonated with me because music has always been the thing that I use to handle my anxiety, and I do feel very lucky to be able to express myself “on the mic”. The amazing Nicky Green created my knuckle design for me!


Somewhere Over The Rainbow

My right forearm has the music and lyrics of the first verse of Over The Rainbow, and it was actually my first visible tattoo and where my full sleeve started from! This is very special to me because it reminds me of the moment I realised the power of music. I was 8 and my parents took me to a Billy Thorpe concert. It was a room full of tough looking dudes and me haha - anyway Billy starts this version of Over The Rainbow and the room of people start tearing up!!! My parents told me later I said to them “that’s what I wanna do, be onstage and move people with my stories”... haha that dream hasn't changed since I was 8!

Joel Melrose then helped me turn this amazing memory into a full-length The Wizard of Oz sleeve, which is also the first musical I ever loved!


Penguin In A Sparkly Vest

On my right leg shin, this beautiful baby was created as a special memorial piece for a friend who used to knit sweaters for penguins who’d had their fur damaged in oil spills. The first time we met she was knitting this tiny sweater and I was like “Who had a baby?” and she responded “It’s for the penguins! Haha! I’ll never forget her, and my beautiful penguin was created by my best friend Tanya Van Den Broek so it’s very special to me.


Stars On My Lower Back

These were my first tattoo and I think I was 17! The reason they are one of my favourites is because how I got them…So I went to my parents and was like “I’m getting this tattoo, and if you don't take me I’ll get it done somewhere dodgy!” because obviously I was underage so needed them to sign for it! Anyways Dad says to me, “Alright, if you’re getting one so am I! I’ll go first and if you want to you can go after!” So we get to the studio and Dad starts getting his arm tattooed (keep in mind he has no tattoos before this point) he yells and screams trying to put me off getting one! He finishes his tattoo and I’m like “Let’s go!!!” Hahaha so dad only got a tattoo to try and scare me off getting one!! He then had to sit and watch me get my 2 stars on my lower back! I still love that moment! Thanks Dad and Shaggy tattoo artist for the stars!




Heart Back is raw, in every sense of the word. Produced by the legends at M Squared Productions (NUSSY, Imogen Brough), and evocative of Amy Shark’s heavy, hip-hop inspired beats, Heart Back is some seriously fresh pop from LA. Faithfull, otherwise known as Lisa Anne Faithfull. The chorus soars, with sharp, synth-laden production that nods towards Lorde’s renowned debut LP Pure Heroine, and Faithfull’s voice is the soft, reassuring comfort throughout. The song was inspired by a difficult time in her life, as she reflects, Heart Back is about the moment when you fall apart and realise that maybe no one will ever be able to put back together those tiny pieces of your heart that feel like they are lost when tragedy strikes. I actually wrote the lyrics the night I found out my dad had prostate cancer…I was going through the motions of looking at my dad’s face when he had to tell us, and watching my mum’s reaction of pure fear - and then feeling that it will never be the same again…even when you have good days, you’re always worried about the next bit of bad news.”


Heart Back Is Out Now