Lady Lash born Crystal Mastrosavas, is an Australian hip hop and jazz artist with indigenous Kokatha and Greek heritage. She grew up in Ceduna, South Australia and lives and works in Melbourne, Victoria.[1] Her work combines poetry, observation and social criticsim. Some of her songs reflect themes of inter-generational trauma, the stolen generation and living with racism.[2]
As a teenager, she performed as a backing singer for the indigenous rock band Coloured Stone, fronted by Bunna Lawrie. She toured with the band and appeared on the album Rhythm of Nature.
She began performing as a solo hip hop artist after moving to Melbourne in 2009 and released her first EP Pearls in 2010. She won Redfern Records Female of the Year award that year. In 2012 she released an album under the name Crystal Mercy called The Fisherman's Daughter. Produced by Wayne Lotek Bennett, the album appeared on the ‘Highly Regarded’ list for the 2013 Coopers Australin Music Prize alongside releases from Bliss & Eso, Mantra and Ngaire.
She was awarded the Victorian Indigenous Performer Award for Most Promising Act of 2013, and ‘Songlines Best Indigenous Act’ at the Age Music Victoria awards in the same year.
Crystal reverted back to the name Lady Lash in 2015, releasing the album Miky Way produced by Skitzo Productions. The the release led to her nomination for "Best Indigenous Act" at The Age Music Victoria Awards in 2016. Her next release was a trip hop EP entitled Cats Eyes Sirens Mouth. Her next release, Therapy Tapes came in 2017.[1]
Crystal's life is music is the subject of a documentary film Lady Lash. The production of the film overlapped with the release of three singles dedicated to aboriginal women in her home community: Shifted Midnight, Night Lounge 3000 and Yadu.
She has supported numerous Australian and touring international artists, including Jessica Mauboy, Archie Roach, Paul Kelly, Dan Sultan, REMI, Urthboy, L-Fresh the Lion, Jimblah, Jungle Brothers, Yung Warriors, Lowkey, Madchild, True Live and Paris Wells.
Lady Lash is a member of the all female indigenous hip hop crew OETHA, which as of 2021 is working on its self-titled debut EP.
She performed at the Sydney Opera House as a cast member in Deborah Cheetham's indigenous opera, Pecan Summer.[3]
