Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Alex. I’m a musician. I live on my own in Bondi Junction. I’ve lived here for about six months because I wanted to live near the beach. I love snorkelling, parks and getting to go for swims after I get back from long tours. I love going to Gordons Bay to read my book; Clovelly to snorkel; Bondi to surf (I’m bad); Coogee for the beach pool; and Bronte for a beach walk.

What do you love about Sydney?
I love that we have beaches, but also the inner west has such an amazing art and music culture. I love the Enmore Theatre, it’s my favourite venue and my dream is to play there. I have my studio at Soundworks in Marrickville and I love going to Double Roasters or Drip Trip for lunch. The Factory Theatre is also nearby, which is the first venue I played in Sydney. I love it. It’s got lots of little venues within it for comedy or theatre, and a big-stage music room which is lush. It’s a really fun place to go.

Where’s your favourite place to eat in Sydney?
I love, love, love Bills in Surry Hills, because of their ricotta pancakes and scrambled eggs. I’ve been there on my birthday for a few years and it’s a really great people-watching spot. You can sit out front on the street, where people often bring their dogs, or if it’s cold, there are little booths inside.

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Where else do you go for brunch or breakfast?
I also go to Flour Drum in Newtown and order their French toast. You can sit in the garden if it’s sunny, which is nice.

When you want to impress someone, where do you take them?
The lookout at Queens Park. There’s a great view of the sunset – you can see the whole of Centennial Park and the city – and it’s never too busy.

It’s your birthday – how do you spend it?
If I had a million dollars, I’d go to Hubert. I’ve been once and I’d never had a proper set menu meal like that before, or French food, so I just loved it. They also have live jazz, which is great.

Where do you like to shop?
Turramurra Music. It has everything; I get most of my gear for shows and I always spend too much money there. I also like Hum in Newtown because it’s where I first bought my records during lockdown. I love looking for music in there. My favourite bookstore is Better Read Than Dead. I’ve spent so much money there. They have novels, cookbooks and any kind of other book you can think of, plus they put really fantastic recommendations up at the front.

What’s one of the city’s most underrated spots?
I love Lane Cove National Park. There are such big trees there. I like riding my bike and going for a walk along the river and listening to music. There are lots of cool birds and big lookout points too.

Where do you go to get away from the city?
I love the Blue Mountains because of the trees and the lookouts. It’s so beautiful in Katoomba, and there are fun little second-hand stores. I also love Resolute Beach, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It’s a bit of a walk from the car park, but it’s so nice for a day on the beach.

Is there somewhere that makes Sydney a better place?
The Sydney Super8 camera store in Newtown. They’re so passionate about photos. I take my tour film to them every time and they always do an amazing job. It’s a really cool little store with lots of second-hand cameras too.

Is there an essential Sydney song?
Darling It Hurts by Paul Kelly, because “Darling, it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight” is the best use of a name in a chorus, ever.

Alex the Astronaut is currently on tour following the release of her second album, How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater. Catch her at City Recital Hall on August 19, or check out her other headline show dates (and get tickets).

alextheastronaut.com
@alex.the.astronaut

“My Sydney” is a regular column discovering the places and spaces that captivate and entice Sydney’s well-known residents.