Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: Mikey Aldridge
Explosive Irish pop talent Lyra returns with “Weird Club” – a bold and unapologetic anthem celebrating self-expression, individuality, and unity. Co-written with Grammy-nominated songwriter Anna Krantz (Ed Sheeran, Geri Halliwell, Mickey Guyton), this electrifying single invites everyone to join the club where being different is the ultimate power.
After an unforgettable 2024 that saw Lyra’s debut album LYRA hit No.1 and her sold-out tour light up stages across Ireland, “Weird Club” signals the start of a fearless new era. Bursting with energy, shimmering synths, and Lyra’s powerhouse vocals, the track offers an open invitation to the world’s misfits, dreamers, and originals.
A proud ally and fearless advocate for inclusion, Lyra continues to use her platform to champion authenticity and celebrate difference. But her creativity extends beyond music—earlier this year, she joined former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and special forces veteran Ray Goggins on the adventurous travel series Uncharted, filmed in the breathtaking Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. The series revealed a new side to Lyra as she pushed her boundaries, both physically and emotionally, against one of the world’s most rugged landscapes.
I had the opportunity to chat with Lyra about her new single, her musical journey so far, and what’s next.
Kat: You’ve built “Weird Club” around radical inclusivity. If it had an official manifesto or unspoken rule, what would be the very first line?
Lyra: Honestly, the very first line would be: “She, he, they, them – whatever your category, you’re iconic here.” It’s that simple! There’s no gatekeeping at Weird Club. I wanted to build a space where nobody has to edit themselves to fit in – where your quirks and your wildness are not only welcome, they’re celebrated. If you’re a bit mad, a bit different, or just sick of pretending, this is the club for you. You’re not just allowed in – you’re the reason the place sparkles.
Kat: You’ve worked with Grammy-nominated songwriters like Anna Krantz. What surprised you most about your creative chemistry during the writing of this track?
Lyra: You know, sometimes you walk into a session and you’re a bit nervous, thinking, “Will we vibe?” With Anna, it was like we’d known each other for years after about five minutes! She’s got this magic where she brings the best bits of you out, but she’s also so much fun. We both believe in writing from the gut, so there was no ego-just pure excitement. We kept bouncing ideas back and forth, both of us grinning, until Weird Club practically wrote itself. The biggest surprise was just how safe I felt being totally myself, which is exactly what the song is about!
Kat: “Weird Club” celebrates being different, but was there a time earlier in your career or life when you felt pressure to conform, musically or personally?
Lyra: Oh, big time! Early on, people told me to “neutralise” my Cork accent, lose weight, to dress a certain way, even to smile less because I looked “too happy.” Can you imagine?! It chipped away at me for a while. But the truth is, the more I tried to fit in, the more I lost my spark. That’s when I promised myself: Never again! I decided I’d rather be “too much” than not enough. Weird Club is the anthem for anyone who’s ever been told to tone it down-let’s turn it up instead
Kat: If “Weird Club” were a physical place, like a venue or secret hideout, what would it look and sound like?
Lyra: Oh, this is my dream! It’d be part boujie circus, part glittery underground club. Everywhere you look: disco balls, fairy lights, and big mirrors reflecting all the gorgeous faces back at themselves. You’d walk in and be hit with the sound of pure joy-big synths, thumping drums, people singing at the top of their lungs. There’d be a space for dancing, a space for sitting and chatting with total strangers, a wall where you can write your weirdest dreams. It’s a place you leave feeling more you than ever.
Kat: Your time on Uncharted put you in one of the world’s toughest environments. How did that experience shift your mindset when you returned to the studio?
Lyra: Oh my god, Uncharted was absolutely bonkers! Trekking through mountains, pushing past what I thought I could handle. I learned that I’m stronger than I realised-but also, that it’s okay to be scared and still go for it. When I got back to the studio, I wasn’t afraid to try new things or be vulnerable in my lyrics. I felt braver. The jungle can’t stop me, so no fear of a studio mic will!
Kat: You describe your fans as misfits, dreamers, and originals. Has a fan ever told you a story that made you see your music in a new light?
Lyra: So many times. There was a dad who came up after a show, nearly in tears, and said his daughter finally felt seen because of Weird Club. She’d struggled in school for being different, and hearing me own my “weird” gave her permission to do the same. That’s when I realised: this isn’t just a song, it’s a movement. It’s not just about my story-it’s about all of us.
Kat: You’ve spoken about self-expression and identity, but what part of your own identity are you still in the process of discovering or embracing through your art?
Lyra: I’m still learning to be comfortable with every version of myself. Some days I feel fierce and invincible, and other days I feel like I’m not good enough. My art is the place where I can explore all those sides and keep surprising myself. There’s freedom in admitting you don’t have it all figured out yet.
Kat: The track radiates joy, but it’s built on layers of personal truth. What’s something about “Weird Club” that listeners might not catch on a first listen?
Lyra: There’s a line, “She, he, they, them,” that people might just hear as catchy, but it’s a love letter to every pronoun, every identity. Underneath the bouncy beat, there’s so much care-about belonging, about letting people know they’re enough, exactly as they are. I hope people dance first, but then hear the truth in it.
Kat: You’ve hit No.1, sold out shows, and pushed your boundaries on-screen. What’s one milestone or creative leap you’re still chasing that fans don’t know about yet?
Lyra: I’d love to create a full-blown “Weird Club” world-an album, a tour, maybe even a musical, where the audience is as much a part of the show as I am. And honestly? Taking this weird club out of Ireland and into other areas that haven’t heard our anthem just yet. I’m always dreaming up the next leap, so watch this space!
Kat: Pop is your language, but your message feels like a rally cry or modern gospel. Do you think of your music as a kind of emotional activism?
Lyra: Absolutely! Pop is my way of inviting people to the party, but the message underneath is all about activism-radical self-love, inclusion, giving everyone permission to shine. I want every gig to feel like a protest and a celebration rolled into one. If someone listens to my music and feels more powerful or more themselves, then I know I’ve done my job.
Connect With Lyra
LYRA.ie |Instagram | Facebook |Twitter |Spotify