Eliza Hull is a musician, writer and disability advocate

Eliza Hull is a musician, writer and disability advocate based in country Victoria. Eliza’s captivating voice has seen her perform on such stages as The Sydney Opera House, Hamer Hall and Forum Theatre. Her songs have been featured on TV shows internationally including Awkward, Teen Wolf and Saving Hope and more locally on shows including The Heights and And Then Something Changed.

Her most recent book Come Over To My House (co-written by Sally Rippen) is a children’s book exploring the wide spectrum of disabilities in families and is a great way to introduce disability to young children.

Tell us about your music. When did you start, what does it make you feel and why is it important to you?

I started singing when I was five years old but didn’t start writing songs until I was about fifteen. I was given a piano by a family friend when someone in their family had passed away. The first day the piano arrived I started to write a song. It was a positive way for me to unpack all the things I was feeling growing up. It helped me feel less inadequate and helped me make sense of the world. 

There is nothing better than writing a song, especially when it pours out of you like it’s been living inside of you just waiting for the right moment to be let out. That happened recently when I was writing with my long-time collaborator Tim Gordine in London. I was running late after a song-writing session but said to him “What if we just spend another ten minutes together and see what happens?”. Then it all poured out of me, and we have a brand-new song I am proud of and excited by. The love of song writing has never left me, and I think I am finally getting the hang of it after all these years writing, practicing and performing. 

As well as music, you are a writer with more than a couple of published works. How did writing come to you and is it intertwined with your music?

I guess because I have been song writing for such a long time, writing comes naturally to me. I started journaling as a young child and never stopped. I have so many journals that fill up my bookshelves. I now have two books out; one is an anthology titled ‘We’ve Got This’ and the other is a children’s book that I co-wrote with Sally Rippin. 

Both are very important to me because of the changes I want to see in the world for disabled people. 

‘We've Got This’ was created because I noticed a huge hole in parenting books that represented disabled people. When I was pregnant, I searched far and wide for a book that represented disabled people and there was absolutely nothing out there! That’s why I set out to change that because I want future disabled people to know they are not alone and that they can be parents, despite what the medical system tells them! I was told by my neurologist that I shouldn’t be a parent because of my disability (Charcot Marie Tooth) . I felt a lot of shame and realised in that moment how much work needs to be done especially in the medical space for disabled people who want to start a family. 

‘Come Over To My House’ is a way for families to have conversations about disability, it authentically represents various families that have disability in a colourful, creative and positive way! 

What has been your favourite thing to write? Or is that still coming?

I loved writing ‘Come Over To My House’ and Sally and I have a second book coming out in 2024. We’ve already written it. That was so fun, and very exciting because I know how much it’s needed. I want to write a book for young adults about what it was like being a disabled teenager. I also really enjoyed writing the music for kids TV show ‘And Then Something Changed’ . It was a challenge to write the music for a whole episode of TV but I really enjoyed pushing myself and working with various styles of music. 

“Come Over To My House” is a beautiful kids book where we meet many families across the disability spectrum. Why was it important to write about families with disabilities?

Because there still is disability stigma, people still don’t know how to talk about disability, and a lot of people fear disabled people. I think mostly that comes from lack of exposure and representation. 

I wanted this book to reach families that might not know how to talk about disability. I love when I go into kindergartens and schools and children are really engaged. 

Ultimately my hope is that this helps people recognise that disability is a part of life, and that it’s not something that is a deficit or something that needs to be fixed. 

You’re also an amazing advocate for accessibility. How did you get into advocacy and how has it changed what you do?

For me it’s been based on my own lived experience, and my own need for change. I am passionate about making change in the parenting space and the music industry. I am still stigmatised in the music industry, even though we are gradually seeing change. Often, it’s subtle, people in the industry will give me a certain look when I tell them I am disabled. It’s also the barriers, attitudinal barriers, and physical barriers. I was once told I shouldn’t walk in my music video because people wouldn’t like my music if they knew I was disabled. I also have had to be carried up on so many stages and have not been able to hang out with my band mates backstage because of stairs. I want to see change so that future disabled musicians feel more included. 

Where is your favourite place to create?

My back studio at my home in Castlemaine (when it’s clean). 

With all the amazing things you do, how do you practice self-care?

I have a bath every day! I eat healthy food (mostly), I spend time with my family and friends, and I try to take time out to be in nature. 

Interview Freya Bennett, Photographs Fred Farquhar

Get your copy of Eliza’s book Come Over To My House at QVWC SHOP here