CYRIL: From Struggles to Success in the Australian Scene
CYRIL, a Darwin-based DJ and producer, has swiftly risen to prominence in the Australian music scene, holding the #1 spot on the ARIA Top 10 Australian Singles Chart for an impressive ten consecutive weeks with his hit single "Stumblin’ In." This remix of the 1978 Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman duet went viral last year, maintaining its momentum well into 2024. However, CYRIL’s journey to the top has been anything but smooth.
In a revealing interview with The Music, CYRIL opened up about the personal challenges he faced in 2018, including a period of homelessness and drug addiction. During this difficult time, he found himself returning to his hometown of Lake Cargelligo, a small outback town on Wiradjuri Country in central New South Wales. There, he worked on his family’s farm, taking on tasks like fencing, cattle work, and mustering. Despite this return to a simpler life, CYRIL knew deep down that farming wasn’t his true passion. His heart remained with music, and he realized he needed to pursue it seriously.
Determined to turn his life around, CYRIL finished high school and applied for university scholarships. He was accepted into Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory, where he studied music with the initial goal of becoming a teacher. Yet, the pull towards performing and producing music was too strong to ignore. CYRIL decided to leave his teaching ambitions behind to focus on a career in music, a decision that has since paid off in spades.
The success of "Stumblin’ In" not only cemented CYRIL’s place in the music industry but also led to high-profile collaborations, including a remix of the track by Steve Aoki and Dimatik, featuring Timmy Trumpet. Further showcasing his love for older music, CYRIL also remixed Disturbed’s cover of "The Sound of Silence," which became an unexpected hit in the US dance scene. Continuing to explore classic tracks, CYRIL is releasing a remix of America’s 1971 hit "A Horse With No Name," proving that his creative vision and musical influence are only growing stronger.
