Albert Milne, also known as Kid Heron, is a Melbourne based singer-songwriter whose music spans contemporary R&B, soul, jazz, funk, and electronica. He’s a self-taught producer with a penchant for writing moody love songs, and his soaring falsetto has seen him likened to artists like Prince and Bilal. He’s currently working on his debut EP which is set for release in 2020, but in the meantime he’s been releasing dreamy singles, giving us a taste of what to expect from a longer body of work.

Each of his songs strikes a different note, whether it’s the reflective quality of ‘Ornaments’ or the dramatic sound of ‘Borderlines’, but with the release of his latest single ‘Huh’, Kid Heron is debuting a darker, more pensive side. I met Kid Heron while on a shoot and we spoke about his move interstate in pursuit of Melbourne’s thriving music scene, the most challenging part of making his musical dreams a reality, and his favourite local artists.

When did you start making music?
Well when I was in grade five my friend and I got really into making music on fruity loops. [Laughs] I also learnt the violin and sang in choirs when I was younger but I probably didn’t write my first song until my last years of high school. 

When did you realise you wanted to have a career in music?
Music has been a constant in my life in one form or another but I didn’t start really working towards a music career until my early twenties. It’s never too late to start something up that you’re passionate about, as long as you’re willing to work hard and have the tenacity to stick with it.

What has been the most challenging part of making a career in the music industry a reality?
Honestly, I’ve had to work through a lot of self doubt and have had to learn a lot of time management skills. I’m not sure which of these were harder to manage. [Laughs] 

Your latest single ‘Huh’ was released a few weeks ago and was your first release in nearly a year, how do you feel about the single and your growth over the last year?
‘Huh’ is a special song to me because I wrote and co-produced this with my friend Jono Graham from leftprojects. It’s got a different, darker vibe to it than some of my other songs but I think it shows my growth and development as an artist. It’s slightly moodier and has different qualities to my previous stuff, but I think I’ve stayed true to myself and my sound whilst still keeping it contemporary and fresh. I’ve been writing lots over the past year and slowly working on an EP… slowly! 

You’re originally from Sydney, what inspired you to make the move to Melbourne and has it been harder to integrate into the ‘scene’ here?
I had been wanting to move to Melbourne for a while so when I found myself playing more and more shows here it seemed like that’s what was naturally going to happen. I guess I’ve been integrating and laying down roots here slowly over the years. Through music I had met new friends and artists here in Melbourne, so the transition has been fairly smooth in that respect. 

What is the biggest challenge for you when writing your music?
I find writing lyrics to be particularly challenging. I get stuck in my head sometimes and struggle finding the right words that work to express how I’m feeling or articulating something I have to say. 

Who are some other local artists we should keep an ear out for?
These are the local artists that I really admire and love. There are heaps out there, but these are the four that I’m really into at the moment; Oscar Key Sung, Francesca Gonzales, MinorFauna and Laneous.

For more on Kid Heron follow him here.