{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2013}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Lakyn Heperi | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Lakyn Heperi | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|4|28}} | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | instrument = Vocals, guitar | genre = Pop, pop rock, acoustic, folk rock | occupation = Musician, singer-songwriter | label = Universal Music Australia | years_active = 2010–present | website = {{URL|www.lakyn.com.au}} }} '''Lakyn Heperi''' (born 28 April 1992)<ref name="birthdate">{{cite web|last=Heperi|first=Lakyn|url=https://www.facebook.com/LakynMusic/info|title=Lakyn Heperi Music|work=Facebook|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref> is an Australian-based New Zealand singer, songwriter and musician best known for appearing on ''The&nbsp;Voice&nbsp;Australia''; he was eliminated at the quarterfinal stage. His debut EP, ''Better Than That'', was released on 16 November 2012 through Universal Music Australia.

== Early life == Lakyn grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and played piano from the age of 3, encouraged by his mother Anne-Maree and his musician father Doug. At the age of 12, Lakyn relocated to Victoria, Australia with his family.<ref name="bio1">{{cite web|url=http://www.lakyn.com.au/bio.aspx|title=Lakyn Heperi – Biography|work=Lakyn Heperi Official Website|accessdate=2013-10-14}}</ref> In his mid-late teens he became a semi-professional skateboarder until he broke his ankle in an accident and was off his feet for eight months.<ref>{{cite news|last=Byrnes|first=H|title=Lakyn Destined for Stardom|work=South West Advertiser|publisher=Fairfax Regional Media|date=21 November 2012}}</ref> During this time, Lakyn developed his musicianship and songwriting from his bedroom and shared it on YouTube, developing a large fan base and receiving millions of views of his videos. This support gave him the encouragement to submit an audition tape to ''The&nbsp;Voice''&nbsp;(Australia). He cites Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Jeff Buckley and The Beatles amongst his musical influences.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.lakyn.com.au/bio.aspx|title=Lakyn Heperi – Biography|work=Lakyn Heperi Official Website|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref>

== Music career == === ''The Voice Australia'' === Lakyn auditioned in Melbourne with an acoustic version of "Kids" by MGMT, accompanying himself on guitar.<ref name="voicebio">{{cite web|url=http://www.thevoice.com.au/profile/lakynheperi/8441563/lakyn-heperi-bio|title=Lakyn Heperi: Bio|work=The Voice Australia|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref> His audition impressed both Joel Madden and Seal enough to turn their chairs for him and he chose to progress in the competition on Team Joel.<ref name="bio" /> He was pitted against Nick Len in the battle round with the song "Big Jet Plane" by Angus & Julia Stone where he was chosen as the winner by Madden. Lakyn's studio recording of "Big Jet Plane" was the first performance by ''The Voice'' contestants to top the iTunes singles chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/big-jet-plane-voice-performance/id523074820|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513052641/http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/big-jet-plane-voice-performance/id523074820|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2012|title=iTunes – Music – Big Jet Plane (The Voice Performance) – Single by Lakyn Heperi|work=iTunes Store (Australia)|publisher=Apple|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref> In his first live show, Lakyn sang "Forever Young" by Alphaville. He progressed in the competition thanks to the public vote. At the quarterfinal stage, Lakyn sang "Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure. Lakyn was eliminated from the competition in the public vote after this performance.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vickery|first=Colin|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/voice-favourite-lakyn-heperi-in-shock-exit/story-e6frf96f-1226391639354|title=Final four chosen for The Voice grand final|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Limited|date=11 June 2012|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref>

====Performances==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Performed ! scope="col"| Song ! scope="col"| Original artist ! scope="col"| Result |- | Blind Audition | "Kids" | MGMT | Joined Team Joel |- | Battle Rounds | "Big Jet Plane" <small>(against Nick Len)</small> | Angus Stone | Winner |- | Live Show Final, Part 2 | "Forever Young" | Alphaville | Public vote |- | rowspan="2"|Live Show Final, Part 4 | "Friday I'm in Love" | The Cure | rowspan="2"|Eliminated |- |Dance Floor Anthem<br>(as part of Team Joel) |Good Charlotte |}

=== ''Better Than That'' EP === On 16 November 2012, Lakyn released his first EP ''Better Than That'' through Universal Music Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.getmusic.com.au/lakyn/store/detail?id=163581|title=Lakyn Store – Better Than That EP with Bonus Poster|work=Getmusic|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref> The EP contains four self-penned songs as well as an acoustic cover of "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" by Cutting Crew. The EP received positive reviews from critics with The AU Review saying "''Better Than That'' is a strong EP, with a maturity and depth in the music that's not easy to find in an artist."<ref>{{cite news|last=Pritchard|first=Tahlia|url=http://www.theaureview.com/artist/lakyn-heperi|title=Album Review: Lakyn – Better Than That (2012 EP)|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Limited|date=26 December 2012|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref> On 20 January 2013, Lakyn debuted his first music video, for the track "Don't Tell Me" from the EP.<ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtDUBhhWHuw|title=Lakyn – Don't Tell Me (Music Video)|medium=YouTube|date=20 January 2013|accessdate=2013-02-12}}</ref>

In April 2013, Lakyn performed with Diafrix for Triple J's "Good Az Friday" at Melbourne Town Hall with a hip hop cover of James Blake's "Retrograde".<ref name="Retrograde">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGFkp9Oqt2g/ Diafrix (feat. Lakyn) cover James Blake 'Retrograde' for Like A Version] YouTube, Retrieved 2013-10-14.</ref>

Also in April 2013, Lakyn supported Birdy on her Australian tour, along with Lewis Watson.

=== ''Not Original Material'' EP === A second EP was released in January 2014, titled ''Not Original Material'' also via Universal Music Australia. The EP consisted of 5 covers<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/not-original-material-ep/906655920|title=Not Original Material EP|date=January 2014 |publisher=iTunes Australia|access-date=13 July 2015}}</ref> and debuted at number 44 on week commencing 20 July 2015.

==Discography== ===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| EP details |- ! scope="row"| ''Better Than That'' | * Released: 16 November 2012 * Label: UMA * Format: Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''Not Original Material'' | * Released: January 2014 * Label: UMA * Format: Digital download |- ! scope="row"| ''& Pains'' | * Released: September 2018 * Label: Island Music * Format: Digital download, streaming |}

== References == {{reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Heperi, Lakyn}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Australian child singers Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia Category:New Zealand male guitarists Category:New Zealand rock guitarists Category:New Zealand male singer-songwriters Category:New Zealand singer-songwriters Category:New Zealand pop singers Category:Musicians from Auckland Category:Singers from Melbourne Category:The Voice (Australian TV series) contestants Category:Universal Music Group artists Category:21st-century New Zealand male singers Category:21st-century guitarists Category:21st-century Australian male singers