To celebrate the best parts of summer, we caught up with Sydney pop darling Lola Scott and Brisbane-based indie artist Yb. to find out their favourite parts of the season, what they’ve got planned for the next few months and why they can’t say no to a 7-Eleven Slurpee.
We’re well and truly in the thick of summer now, sweltering through sticky days and enjoying those long hot nights.
Like many of us, Sydney local Lola Scott spends her summer taking it slow and enjoying some nostalgic favourites.
“My favourite parts of summer are my nan’s pavlova, dog beaches, snorkelling, and naps after lunch,” she says.
Landing on the scene in 2018 with her debut EP ¼ Life Crisis, Lola has just released her new single High School Drama and has spent much of the year touring. She’s still managing to fit a couple more in before the end of the year though, finishing 2023 with a bang.
“I have a few other gigs before the end of the year that I’m super excited to play! On the 22nd December I’ll be playing a super fun Christmas gig at Bendigo Hotel with a few of my besties including BLOKBSTR and OSWRLD,” she says.
“I’m really looking forward to playing Look Out Festival and sharing the stage with Queens Of The Stone Age, Spiderbait, POND, Gut Health and The Chats. I’m also super excited to be playing some shows in WA next year and really looking forward to that, but they are still unannounced so shhh!”
Brisbane-based indie artist Yb. also had a massive 2023, and he’s looking forward to spending the summer in the water.
“I think the thing I love most about Australian summer is that it forces my friends and I to find water. Aussie beaches are some of the best in the world and we only really get to enjoy them in summer,” he says.
2023 saw him drop his newest single Rollercoaster, win Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2023 Queensland Music Awards and a massive amount of touring including SPRINGTIME on the Gold Coast.
But he won’t be spending the summer slacking off, he’s got even more gigs to prepare for in 2024.
“I have a gig at Bootleggers in Newtown, Sydney on the 5th of January and I’m currently getting ready for SXSW in Austin in March which is extremely exciting for me; being my first international showcase!”
All this touring is thirsty work, and both Lola and Yb. are massive fans of an ice cold 7-Eleven Slurpee to cool down. For Lola, it’s the excitement of a colour-changed tongue at the end of a Slurpee that keeps her coming back for more, while for Yb. it’s about returning to a childhood fave.
“The nostalgia of a Slurpee is always something that keeps me coming back to them and I can always trust that it’ll have flavour till the very end,” says Yb..
With so many iconic flavours and regular new drops, keeping that Slurpee flavour all the way to the end is super important, so it’s lucky they never let you down!
When she’s not near a 7-Eleven, Lola keeps it cool by crunching ice blocks or hitting a Hydralyte, but her other favourite summer refreshment is a little more unconventional.
“Been craving curry puffs today I can’t lie,” she laughs.
As for what 2024 is bringing, Lola has some new music dropping in 2024, which she’s already giving fans a taste of at her live shows. Yb. is hoping to bring in the new year with fans at his gig at Bootleggers on January 5.
“Start your year off right with a Yb. gig! I hope to see everyone there,” he says.
Whether you’re checking out Lola or Yb. at a gig, spending your day at the beach or just trying to beat the heat, a Slurpee is the perfect partner. Head into a 7-Eleven store before all your summer fun to Slurp up Summer!
