Conan Gray covers ADÉLA's 'Ain't In LA' for Like A Version

SPEAKER_1 (0:02)

Like A Version! Before Like A Version and after Like A Version is kind of the anchor point of an Australian musician's life, I think.

SPEAKER_2 (0:16)

We sort of wanted to give it a really big build towards the end to make it really cinematic.

SPEAKER_3 (0:22)

Pretty intimidating song, like you hear it and it sounds like the uncoverable.

SPEAKER_2 (0:28)

The verses are great. They're so well written and they make me feel really sexy when I'm singing them.

SPEAKER_1 (0:33)

Like A Version on Triple J.

SPEAKER_4 (0:35)

That's right. It is a Friday morning. Phil and Tyrone with you here on Triple J Breakfast. And we are doing Like A Version. Joining us for the very first time, welcoming back to Triple J, it is Conan Gray. Conan, how are you? How are you doing?

Conan Gray (0:47)

I'm good. How are you?

SPEAKER_4 (0:49)

So good. So happy to have you back here to be speaking to you again. How are you feeling about doing Like A Version for the very first time?

Conan Gray (0:55)

Ooh, honestly, I feel like it's a great honor, and it's also kind of a heavy undertaking. You know, I feel like it's kind of the pressure is kind of on.

SPEAKER_4 (1:05)

Yeah.

SPEAKER_6 (1:05)

You've obviously just wrapped up a big run of shows here in the country. Prior to these shows, you were last here in 2024 So it's been a minute. Has it felt different being back this time around?

Conan Gray (1:16)

I feel like I live in Australia at this point. I've been on tour here so many times, which is such a fun thing that I can't believe I even get to say that, like being a random kid from Texas. But I love it here. And you know, every time I'm in each new city, I have my favorite places and it's been very nice. Yeah.

SPEAKER_4 (1:39)

Yeah. Now I know that you are a true Australian local because last time we spoke to you, you said you missed Australian coffee.

Conan Gray (1:46)

Yeah.

SPEAKER_4 (1:46)

And that's really how you know. I mean, have they lived up to the hype while you've been in Australia?

Conan Gray (1:51)

Australian coffee always lives up to the hype. I love it so much. I crave it sometimes when I'm back in LA. I'm like, oh, I could really go for a magic right now.

SPEAKER_4 (2:01)

A magic? Oh yeah, the Melbourne magic. I remember you mentioning that last time. I'm glad it lived up to it.

SPEAKER_6 (2:06)

Yeah, no, I've been seeing so like this yarn has been going on for quite some time now. It's that everyone loves Australian coffee so much. Should we be getting Flat Whites happening overseas more? Is that what they're missing overseas?

SPEAKER_4 (2:18)

Is it the Flat White?

Conan Gray (2:19)

Yeah, it's the Flat White. They will make you one, but I don't think it has the same love and passion that the Australian Flat White has.

SPEAKER_6 (2:27)

Yeah, well, I mean, it feels like a quiet and Australian tour that you've been on with Wishbone. I mean, you've had an Australian artist with you since February opened up these shows. The wonderful Aisha Tiwari, who we are big fans of here on Triple J. What have you loved about having Aisha with you on these shows?

Conan Gray (2:44)

She really is like, I really think that she's quite great. She's quite a good one. She's pretty good. Good one.

I think that her music is so, so beautiful and she just knows who she is. And I think we've been having a great time making TikToks, talking about the Internet. She bought me a monchichi, felt very honored. No, I love her. I think she's so talented and I'm so excited to see whatever she makes next.

SPEAKER_4 (3:09)

But I can imagine it elevates your experience almost by having an Australian artist on this run of Australian shows, right?

Conan Gray (3:16)

Yeah. Well, to me, it feels a little bit like I'm working with a pro. I'm like, you know this world more than I do. So in every new city, I'm like, oh, well, you've already been here. So I don't even know why we're even talking about it. That's how it feels for me.

SPEAKER_4 (3:32)

Yeah. Two professional music professionals on tour together.

Conan Gray, he with us for Like A Version. I think it is time for us to find out what you'll be taking on as your original. We have Wishbone, the album, plus the recent Deluxe as well to choose from. So Conan, what will you be performing today?