Hip hop and jazz singer Crystal Clyne Mastosavvas is better known by her stage name, as “Lady Lash.”
Both a Kokatha and a Greek woman living in Australia, she was influenced by the two ancient cultures, in a big family full of love.
“We accept mixed marriages,” Lash tells SBS Greek. “If you fall in love then you fall in love.”
“Love has no colour and love has no boundaries,” she says.
Listen to Lady Lash's full interview (in English) with SBS Greek:
LISTEN TO
http://audiomedia-sbs.akamaized.net/greek_170215_632620.mp3
12:19
A long way from the Greek island of Rhodes and the villages Siana & Kritinia where his migrant family originated, Bapoul George Mastrosavas was born in Ceduna, a little sea side town, on the West Coast of South Australia. He became a fisherman that lived and breathed by the sea.
His son, Samuel Mastrosavas, fell in love and got married to an indigenous woman Theresa Ware. From this mixed marriage six children were born. Crystal is the eldest.
Crystal and her siblings grew up by the ocean and that’s where her imagination started turning into inspiration.
“The seaside has always called me home and I’m drawn to the ocean,” she says.
“My Father is a fisherman and his daughters and sons are his treasures. Childhood memories for me are of rugged old boats and the salty midst of the sea.”
“I’m the eldest of 6 children and trouble was never far from us all. A mischievous bunch, we used to play on the rocks looking out over the ocean, waiting to catch a glimpse of a mermaid or my dad’s boat returning from a day’s fishing.
Crystal's fisherman father Bapoul George Mastrosavas Source: Supplied
“We’d be climbing trees half the day and running from snakes the rest. There were dangers all about, but innocence is bliss and things can be a bit less daunting when you’re all together.”
It was on her father’s boat when Crystal first started singing and realised her calling.
Writing poems and experimenting with different music styles helped create the unique style that Lady Lash has today.
“I used to write poetry when I was young and read sonnets from Shakespeare, then it grew into songs and then raps.”
The eclectic musical style combines equal parts Jazz and Hip Hop interwoven with powerful spiritual storytelling.
“I always had a vision and deep passion for singing,” she explains.
Crystal said she knew from an early age that it was what she wanted to do.
“I didn’t know how I would get there but I did,” she says.
Crystal’s style was always eclectic – even before she became Lady Lash.
Lady Lash performing at Yalukit Willam Ngargee Festival Source: Facebook
“My singing voice evolved with practice and dedication, doing all sorts of different styles and notes,” she explains.
“Whether it was rapping or opera and everything in between, I would use my vocals through the microphone to push my heart and soul out into the crowd.”
“Eventually people started to follow my sound.”
“Love has no colour and love has no boundaries.”
Crystal moved to Melbourne to chase her dream of becoming a singer and got involved in the Hip Hop scene in 2009. She was creating music with underground beats and dark lyrics, straight out the bedroom to the stage.
A femme fatale look with a sharp tongue and twisted lyrics propelled her rise to the Hip Hop stage as she flicked up a well-timed track ‘7 Deadly Sins.’
This was the first time Australia took notice while she was grinding the underground Hip Hop circuit from Adelaide to Melbourne.
She then dropped her first EP in 2010 entitled ‘Pearl’. This release has seen her nominated for A ‘Deadly Award’, and earning a spot on stage for The One Movement Festival in Perth whilst winning the Redfern Records ‘Female of the Year’ Award.
Performing and touring Australia for a few years, it was time for change to re brand herself as Crystal Mercy in 2012, she pushed the boat out artistically with a High Quality multi-award-winning album, ‘The Fisherman's Daughter’.
An album with clear reference to her fisherman father, who was also Indigenous with Greek roots.
“I am proud to represent this mix of two ancient civilizations.”
Lash has taken out a VIPA (Victorian Indigenous Performer Awards) for Most Promising Act of 2013 and an Age Music Victoria Genre Award 2013 ‘Songlines Best Indigenous Act’.
Her single ‘Green Cherries’ was featured in NITV’s Choreography and dance show ‘Move it Mob Style’.
Lash is quickly becoming one of the most prolific songwriters and performers in Australia.
Her third release ‘Milky Way’ was in 2015, working closely with her husband’s Skitzo Productions and it is a combination of Hip Hop and Jazz with powerful Storytelling.
As Lady Lash she was a nominee for ‘Best Aboriginal Act’ for The Age Music Victoria Awards 2016. But she says her purpose is still more important to her than gain or success.
“It wasn’t always easy but I feel a connection with people and wanted to break down the conventional wall using music as our bond,” she explains.
“Having the passion and drive to succeed is work within itself. Success can’t always be measured in financial gain.
“How happy you are doing the deed can reflect not only success, but purpose as well.”
With numerous Festivals and Shows under her belt, Crystal’s natural talent has seen her perform at the Sydney Opera House as a cast member of Deborah Cheetham's first Indigenous Opera 'Pecan Summer'.
She has also supported Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Dan Sultan, just to name a few.
Lady Lash will also perform on SBS Radio Greek’s Live Broadcast from Lonsdale street’s 30th Greek festival in Melbourne, on Saturday 25th of February.
“It is my first appearance in a Greek Festival and I feel very happy and privileged to perform.”
Source: Greek Street Festival
“I am proud to represent this mix of two ancient civilizations.”
Lady Lash and her husband Skitz are currently in Production for their 4th Album titled 'Therapy Tapes' due to be released in 2017.
