18-year-old singer-songwriter, Lia D’Sau has released her debut single, “Manboy”! Out now!
Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, D’Sau explores her thoughts on womanhood, relationships, and social issues with maturity and curiosity, using music as her inspiration.
She wants her listeners to know that her songwriting is a declaration.
“Having other people write songs for me seemed daunting, terrible. I’ve been taught to look deeper at the world since I was a child, and I have things I want to say.”
Lia D’Sau
Growing up, Lia listened to her parents favorite R&B records as her father was a former boy band member himself!
She began singing when she was just 8 years old and at the age of 15, she attended music camp in New York City.
Lia has blended her love of indie and R&B that she was raised on in her new single.
With 11,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, she is taking charge of what she wants the world, and fans, to hear with her music.
Date a man, not a boy.
I wrote this song when I was 17 and had broken up with this guy I was seeing. My friend and I were talking about how I needed to start dating men, and not boys, so that’s how I came up with the term, “Manboy”. I was hurt from what had happened in our relationship and just laid out our entire timeline for the verses of the song. Writing it ended up becoming a therapeutic way to have closure around what happened, and doing that on my own.”
Eraste (air-este) is a 21-year-old self-taught singer and instrumentalist from Texas.
Her main musical inspirations are Lorde, Halsey, and FLETCHER.
Growing up in a small town in Texas, she struggled with being queer in her youth.
Music was her outlet, she was able to express herself and write about how she felt outcasted, but also how she was able to find herself through music.
Since she is a fully self-taught musician, there isn’t much background with theory.
One of the things that makes her stick out in the music industry is that she is able to break style and musical boundaries because they aren’t real to her to begin with.
Some of the beautiful things that she writes about is her struggle with mental health and how it has impacted the people around her.
She wants her listeners to know that her music is how she centers herself and that’s how she has found her identity.
I was able to interview Eraste and get a little sneak peek into her life. Check it out below!
What got you started in music?
I’ve always loved music, but I grew up leading worship in my church. I feel like that’s how a lot of artists from Texas get started in music haha. I didn’t really have musical family members so my musical background is like… Hillsong and whatever my older sisters were listening to (Rihanna usually) or the Hot 100. I think that’s what made me really love pop music and made it feel like such a natural thing when I started making it.
Can you elaborate on what made Lorde, Halsey, and FLETCHER your musical inspirations?
I really enjoy listening to people with unique tones and honest story-telling because I can see myself in them. Halsey’s “Badlands” was the first time I was exposed to nitty-gritty electro-pop and I absolutely fell in love with it. It was a huge 180 from the country music that PLAGUES the panhandle lol. I love the way they tell their stories, and listening to Halsey was the first time I could really relate to someone who wrote about things I was going through at the time. That album and their music have such a special place in my heart because they gave me representation in the LGBTQ community that I hadn’t previously seen. Lorde is in a league of her own and Melodrama is the blueprint for everything I could hope to be. She creates with such a sense of freedom and honesty and writes about whatever she wants and we LOVE it. In pop music, there’s a lot of pressure to make your music “digestible” but Lorde never really gives a fuck about that, and that’s really admirable. I can only hope to tell my stories in the special way she tells her’s. They are all people I look up to when I’m writing my music, and they constantly inspire me to be more honest and vulnerable.
How have you overcome being queer with your music? Has it taught you anything?
I wouldn’t say ‘overcome’ as much as embrace being queer! I’ve known I was Bisexual since I was what, 15? And it was extremely difficult to come to terms with that for me. When you come from a place that’s so close-minded, there is a lot of pressure to become what others want you to be. My biggest fear is being inauthentic to myself, and so it was hard to know who I was and not be able to share it. I think it leads to a lot of questioning of who I am, like, who are you when there’s no one around to see it? Do you even exist? Kind of thing. When I was hiding, this music reminded me who I was even when I was running from it. I think as I continue to make my own music and explore the parts of myself I left behind it will continue to teach me that it’s okay now you know? This whole process has taught me to be kind to myself through all the self-discovery.
As a fully self-taught musician, what advice would you give to someone who is looking to learn how to play an instrument or become an artist?
Hahah I say “fully self-taught” I had BRIEF piano lessons (Joanne you’re a real one) but I was too small to like make it stick I guess. When I was a little older I started teaching myself to play pop songs on the piano, and I just used my ears! My advice would be to start on an instrument that makes the most sense to you, I’m a visual person so piano is that instrument for me! And then I branched out to learn other instruments when I was comfortable. I learned to really listen to music and then recreate those sounds on the piano, and that’s the easiest way for me! But if it doesn’t make sense to you I would say learn basic chords first, and then all the scales, and then it will come together. Music is just beeps and boops so eventually it will make sense because there are only so many beeps to be booped. haha.
How would you describe your latest EP?
Eclectic! Fun! Pop bops! In my EP I wanted to do everything I was capable of and I didn’t really go into it with a set concept or plan, and it’s funny to think that a concept came up anyways! The best part about coming from a household where there was little to no music, is that I was influenced by a ton of different stuff. Radio bops in the 2010s, country music (sadly), worship music, and everything in between. Although it was really fun to explore lots sonically, through that I learned what I am really good at and what I love to do the most and now I can move forward with that. It was so honest and I’m so happy to set that precedent so that going forward my listeners always know I’m going to be true to my experiences like all of my favorite artists.
If you could tell your listeners one thing about your EP, what would it be?
My opening line is “You can never really know me because I don’t really know me.” I think a lot of people can relate to that and so that makes it really special. I talk a lot about the idea of feeling lost and constantly feeling like you’re pretending to be something you’re not. If they have ever felt this way I want them to know that they are not alone!
Elise Del Mar is a 20-year-old electropop/soft electronic artist. She is originally from the midwest, but moved to Nashville to pursue her career in music.
She currently attends Belmont University majoring in Songwriting with a minor in Music Business.
Her first single, “Didn’t Mean It” has gained over 26,000 streams on Spotify.
Elise started writing music as a way of self-expression while dealing with some of the daily struggles that come along with being a young adult.
Music is a way to let people into my life on a deeper level than what they see on the outside. I hope to be able to connect with people by putting raw emotions into songs and singing the words others sometimes struggle to find about how they feel.
Elise Del Mar
“Fix This” is a song about falling in love and having the perfect love story. Much like romantic movies they have happy endings, and the movies that don’t have happy endings are sole crushing for hopeless romantics (much like myself).
Instead of a happy ending, you guessed it, this song ends in heartbreak.
With hints of pop, electronic music, lofi sounds, and an emotion-filled beat this song will have you “in your feels.”
Elise’s style of music reflects the one and only T. Swift and has similar sounds to Chelsea Cutler and Zara Larsson.
Monster is looking the demons in the eye, facing them, and using your army of Monsters to move forward to find the power of JOY! Monster is about embracing yourself in the darkness and the light and knowing you are not only in this one feeling.
Carrie Welling
Nashville songwriters, Carrie Welling and Alex Wong, release dual single, “Monster”!
Both Carrie and Alex united to release this song and campaign about embracing our inner demons.
Carrie and Alex wanted to craft a single that exposes the beauty of our inner demons and to encourage conversation around mental health.
This single has two versions, NIGHT and DAY, reflecting the sphere of mental illness. NIGHT is a full band version that represents the demons that we push down and keep hidden. DAY exposes the beauty contained in our darkest parts when we choose to see them without judgment.
How beautiful is that?
Carrie has steered her way through life’s twists and turns from a young age. She struggled to feel rooted in one place as a self-described ‘military brat’ following paths of heartbreak, doubt and insecurity. This was a journey that led to her soul-defining rebirth as an international touring artist.
In 2020 she released her full length album, High Heels and Heavy Things showcasing her raw and organic style.
Alex is a Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist and producer. His music has been featured in movies The Last Song and The Lincoln Lawyer; TV shows True Blood, Ray Donovan, One Tree Hill and commercials for Google and Aquafina.
Alex has toured all over the world and has performed at festivals like Coachella, Outside Lands, and Corona Capital.
In 2020 Alex released his second solo LP, The Elephant and the Seahorse!
To celebrate this release, Carrie and Alex are hosting an exclusive listening party featuring live performances by each of them and Thunder Lily on July 2 at Angelhouse South.
This event will be limited to 40 people, but will be streamed worldwide and a portion of each ticket purchased will be donated to Rethink Mental Illness.
“Monster is about learning to love our whole selves, even the dark parts that we often deny because we’re ashamed or embarrassed to admit they’re a part of us too. When we can embrace and love our “monsters” they can become powerful allies instead of demons.”
21-year-old, up-and-coming artist, Daniella Spadini releases her debut single, “Part of You”! Out now!
Daniella grew up in a small town in the rural valley of Northern California. She quickly learned to fill the small-town quiet with songs of her own creation.
She has been writing music for as long as she can remember and has been inspired by her peculiar outlook on the world.
Early on she was influenced by Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and Carole King (such classics, right)?! Each of these influences have shaped her lyrically driven style which reflects on her modern inspirations of Ed Sheeran, JP Saxe, Sasha Sloan, and Adele.
As a teen, she performed with a Top 40 cover band in hundreds of shows at venues, but ultimately felt called back to her songwriting roots. She left the band soon after to pursue her own artistry.
She is currently attending and finishing up her undergrad at Berklee’s College of Music where she is majoring in Songwriting.
Daniella is known for her playful wit, but her work is soul-bearing, yet coy. Just wait until you listen to “Part of You”!
As she walks this delicate line, she wants her listeners to be right beside her feeling every laugh and every cry along the way. She is excited to show her listeners the world through her eyes.
Image of Daniella Spadini Taken by Rachel Bullard.
With her unique style of songwriting and exquisite voice, online sensation and singer/songwriter, Mia Giovina, is taking the Internet by storm.
At only 20-years-old, she has gained over 175,000 followers on TikTok. Mia has created such a creative and unique platform as she rewrites popular songs putting her own spin on it.
Mia uses TikTok to share snippets of her creative, original songs.
In March, she released her debut single, “Sirens” connecting with listeners worldwide. This single alone has surpassed 200,000 streams on Spotify!
Mia explains that her second single, “Time Machine”, “captures the terrifying feeling of watching your childhood fade and the fear that life will never be that simple again.”
She shared a clip of her new single on TikTok reaching hundreds of thousands of people that had the same feelings she did proving just how powerful music is.
Mia is continuing to gain traction on social media platforms and significantly impacting the music industry with her music!
Image of Young Devyn Credited to Universal Music Group.
I had the honor of attending a press conference by Universal’s °1824 to get a look into the life of artist, Young Devyn.
She’s only nineteen, has already done so many great things, and has caught the attention of many. Hello, Cardi B followed her back on Instagram!
Young Devyn is the youngest artist ever to freestyle at the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher.
Young Devyn is a MC, singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, New York and has Trinidadian roots which is one of the many things that has inspired her in her music. During the press conference, she mentioned that she started music when she was just eight years old.
Young Devyn has known what she has wanted to do since she was very young and that has led her to incredible opportunities. She mentions that, “so many doors close, but bigger doors open.”
Her newest single, “Act Bad“, was released on May 21st and Young Devyn discussed how this song happened organically. She didn’t have any idea what to expect going into the studio, but her creative process unfolded and “Act Bad” was formed.
Her lyrics are based off real life experiences, and there’s something for everybody to relate to. It’s important to pay attention to the lyrics because that’s what people tend to gravitate towards.
One of the many things I loved about Young Devyn in this press conference was how open and humble she was. She mentions that being around her close friends and family is what keeps her humble, and she has embraced that as she continues to grow in this industry.
Her debut album, Baby Goat, is so versatile and Young Devyn says that it’s “unapologetically you”. If you want to hear something about love, go to this track or if you’re in a vibey mood, go to this track.
Baby Goat is OUT NOW! This album has eight tracks that are completely different from one another and show how versatile Young Devyn really is in her work.
Image of Young Devyn Credited to Universal Music Group.
Introducing pop/rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, The Cancellations!
When I picked the artist for this week, but in this case, band, I must’ve been in an emo phase when I did it. Just like THE F1RST ANNUAL, The Cancellations brings the pop-rock edge side to the music industry which I very much enjoy.
It gives me early 2000s vibes that I hope most of you all enjoy as well.
The Cancellations are a new project started by Elijah Jones, former of The Constellations, where he started this project with longtime friend, Erik Matthijs.
Elijah and Erik were part of a previous group called Elijah Jones & The Tenderness and after they departed from this group, they got together with some close musician friends and The Cancellations were born.
Their music tells stories of heartbreak, substance-abuse, and self-discovery. Isn’t that just some of the best music?
Being able to relate to a song in any particular way can be life changing and makes one love music more and more.
I was able to interview guitarist, Erik Matthijs, on behalf of the band, The Cancellations. Check it out below!
What got you started in music?
What got me started was basically the love of music. There was always music playing in my house and my parents had quite the vinyl collection growing up, so I took advantage of that. In high school, I had the privilege of seeing one of my favorite bands at the time, (The Marvelous 3) and when I did, it was pretty obvious what I wanted to do. At 17, I purchased my first guitar with the intention of learning how to be a songwriter versus learning other artists’ songs. Years, many projects and bands later, here I am with The Cancellations.
What’s one of your favorite things about Music City?
One of my favorite things about Music City is the diversity of many of the bands and artists that reside here. So much talent, and it’s not all about country music, but other genres. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many talented folks here in Nashville.
Who or what inspires you?
Well, I can say that the members in my band definitely inspire me and also challenge me to be better at my craft for sure. I’m always fascinated not by lead guitarists, but by guitar players that have a signature sound or tone. My favorite guitarist has always been Johnny Marr from The Smiths. Something unique about his playing style and how he’s continued to push boundaries has always intrigued me. The guitar hooks, the melodies, it really influenced me with my own style.
What’s your creative process like?
What can I say, it’s an incredible pleasure working with Elijah (lead singer and songwriter for The Cancellations) on music. He’s one of the most prolific songwriters I have worked with, probably in the music industry. Basically, Elijah will bring a song, or maybe 5 to the table (haha) and will show us what he’s written including his vision for the arrangement. From there I approach the song(s) and try to put my style or complimentary melody on it and see where it takes us. It’s an uplifting experience, and usually quite a success. Again, I can’t say anything more than how incredible it is to work with Elijah and the rest of the band. Superior talent.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
With the industry changing to the internet (music streaming platforms), it’s created more opportunities for DIY artists to get their music heard. But at the same time, it’s really affected artists trying to make a living in a negative way. Don’t get me wrong, our music is on streaming platforms, but people aren’t buying physical copies of music and attending shows like they used to. Some of my fondest memories were discovering a new band, seeing them live, and purchasing their album at a show or even a record store the next day. That’s changed quite a bit. These days it’s more of a popularity contest (social media and streaming) and not the music. The internet has really affected the industry and I feel like it would be what I’d want to change.
Who are you currently listening to? Have they inspired you? If so, how?
Currently, I’ve been listening to a mix of the old stuff (The Smiths, The Cure, etc.) with the new (Inhaler, The Strokes). What continues to inspire me is all about the musicianship and the melodies. I’ve always strived to write the “perfect” song like them. Haven’t gotten there yet (haha).
What’s next for you all?
In February, The Cancellations released their debut album. While we were working on that album, we continued to stay busy in the studio working on the 2nd album. Our plans for the rest of the year is to release a 2nd album (maybe a 3rd) and play to as many audiences as we can in the United States. This pandemic was a blessing and a burden for us in both ways. It obviously kept us from playing live shows, but encouraged our writing process. Now that things are getting better, we are staying busier trying to accomplish both objectives.
Check out their socials and their latest album, Fist Fight! I’ll link them below.
Image of THE F1RST ANNUAL taken by Dillon Jordan Photography.
I’m pretty sure my ten-year-old emo self would be melting right now. Did anyone else scream lyrics at the top of their lungs and had absolutely no idea what you were singing about? No? Just me? This band basically brings back all of those feels for me.
Introducing THE F1RST ANNUAL.
THE F1RST ANNUAL is a pop/rock band based out of Nashville, Tennessee. The band consists of four members: Strkyer, Zach, David, and Jonesy. All four met in college and after graduation, THE F1RST ANNUAL was formed. They combine influences from 80s rock and modern day pop music.
They released their debut single ‘Used To’ in September of 2020. As one can expect where this is going, 2020 rocked the whole world as it was a difficult time for everybody. The music industry was hit hard, especially for independent artists. Live shows, festivals, concerts, anything pertaining to the live aspect of the industry were being canceled all over the world. An important thing to note is that touring, and everything included in it such as merchandise, floor seats, or backstage passes generate revenue for this industry which brings big money into the industry.
During the pandemic, THE F1RST ANNUAL took their down time to record their first EP which will be released in the summer of 2021, so be on the look out!
They recently released a single, “A.M.”, on the 21st of May, (will make you very emo so be prepared) and are going to be releasing more songs which will eventually tie into their first EP.
I had the honor of interviewing the band talking about how they got started in music and their life in Music City, each of them putting their own twist to their answers. Check it out below!
Stryker:
What got you started in music?
When I was really young, my grandparents got me hooked on Elvis and The Beach Boys. As a kid, I wanted to be like Elvis more than anything! Then when I was a bit older, Disney’s Goofy Movie came out. There’s a character that performs in it called Powerline, and in the movie he flies out over the crowd while he’s singing and does all these cool moves. I thought it was awesome. Then when I was in middle school the Jonas Brothers got big. I saw how cool they looked, how all these girls loved them, and I thought they sounded so cool. I started singing and practicing their songs in secret cause I thought my friends would think it was lame. From there, I decided to join choir, so I did that in middle school and high school. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I wrote my first song, and bought a guitar from my little brother for $20. From there the rest just snowballed.
Who would you like to collaborate with?
Being firstly a singer at heart, I would love to collaborate with any of my favorite vocalists: Adam Lambert, Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars. As a songwriter, it would be incredible to collaborate with Julia Michaels, Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Ed Sheeran, or Eminem.
What or who inspires you?
I get inspired by stories, whether it be something a friend told me, a movie, some imaginary scenario I created in my head, anything. I used to write a lot based on other peoples experiences, or scenes I can see in my head. Here lately, I’ve been going through a lot, however, so most of the new songs are based off of the emotions I’ve experienced going through my own battles and hardships.
What has been the most challenging thing you’ve face in the industry?
I’ve found the most challenging thing for me is picking a direction to go. Where I write songs for not only myself but also other artists, I find myself going back and forth on whether I should focus more on writing or more on my artistry.
What’s your favorite thing about being in Nashville and the music that surrounds the city?
Coming into Nashville, I always heard how cutthroat the music industry is, and how people will try to screw you over. I have not experienced that in the slightest. I know it happens, but everyone I have met on my journey have been nothing but encouraging and helpful. It’s a beautiful community.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you for live music, concerts, shows, etc to be coming back?
9.8. The 0.2 thats not there is just do to the stress of the logistics of it all lol. But I love it, and its still crazy to me that some people will pay to watch me do my favorite thing in the world.
What’s next for you?
We’re going to be releasing a single every month all summer, and hopefully hit the road this fall! Hopefully by next year we will be hopping on a tour as an opener, until we can headline our own!
Zach:
What got you started in music?
I’ve always loved music. My grandpa who was a high school band director got me started on snare drum when I was 8. I played saxophone and clarinet through middle and part of high school. When I was 12 I found a video of Green Day doing Holiday live and I was enamored with the energy and music. I watched a cover of that song on guitar and memorized the main riff. I didn’t have a guitar so I would have to go to my friends house who had a guitar to play it. I got my first guitar shorty thereafter.
Who would you like to collaborate with?
I would absolutely love to collaborate with John Mayer, Charlie Puth, Miley Cyrus, or Surgill Simpson. I know that’s all over the place but I look up to each of these artists so much.
What or who inspires you?
The 80s as a whole inspire me. The music, film, sports, and fashion has always drawn me in. Film in general inspires me and when I’m not playing or writing I’m probably watching a movie. Especially westerns or crime/mob movies. My musical inspirations include Jim Croce, John Mayer, Prince, The Cars, and list goes on
What has been the most challenging thing you’ve face in the industry?
The most challenging thing about the industry has been where to start. Whether it’s writing, practicing, recording/engineering, there’s often so much information and ways to go about things that it feels overwhelming at times. Getting myself out there has been tough for me at times, but being in this band and getting to know these guys has really gotten me out of my shell.
What’s your favorite thing about being in Nashville and the music that surrounds the city?
My favorite thing about Nashville has to be the talent that lives in this city. It is so inspiring and forces you to better yourself. I could go down to Broadway right now and see 10 different bands with guitarists that are way better than me. It’s awesome to hear all these amazing players and singers all packed into one city. Music isn’t a competition, but it’s good for the soul to be reminded that you need to practice and produce at the level Nashville is known for.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you for live music, concerts, shows, etc to be coming back?
11. I’ve missed playing so bad. And as a fan of music I’ve missed going to shows. I hope to be attending many shows this fall. Another reason I love shows is that I find inspiration from them. I saw Dead and Co. in 2017 and stayed up till 3 AM practicing after I got home.
What’s next for you?
I’m not really sure what’s next for me. I’m gonna keep working hard with the guys in the band and we’re gonna keep rolling out songs. I’m gonna keep doin my thing, they’re gonna do theirs, and we shall see where the universe takes us. God bless!
David:
What got you started in music?
My dad used to play drums, and the friends I was growing up around were into music so I decided to pick up an instrument.
Who would you like to collaborate with?
Literally anyone really who has artistic vision and passion, there’s so many amazing people that we could collaborate with.
I’m just inspired by a lot of post rock/post hard-core music. As well of some of my friends in hip-hop genre.
As far as band I’m inspired by “The 1975”, “Casey”, “Bring Me The Horizon”, and “Lincoln Park”.
What has been the most challenging thing you’ve face in the industry?
I think “doubt” is probably the most difficult thing I faced….There’s always people trying to tell you what you’re doing right, and what you’re doing wrong. Sorting that out, and trying to find your own way is always a struggle.
What’s your favorite thing about being in Nashville and the music that surrounds the city?
I really love the music community out here, and the people of Nashville are always outstanding. Also, the amazing sports teams! Go Nashville SC!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you for live music, concerts, shows, etc to be coming back?
10 times a 1000!
What’s next for you?
Personally and as a band, I think we’re all just looking forward to the next opportunities that come our way… writing and recording new music, and seeing what the world throws at us.
Jonesy:
What got you started in music?
My friends got me started playing music! I always loved listening to music, but my two childhood best friends pushed me to pick up guitar and bass, and the rest is history.
Who would you like to collaborate with?
I would be really interested in collaborating with a composer, maybe revisit some of our old tunes and do string arrangements or something like that.
I have several musical heroes, among them Victor Wooten, Disasterpeace and JPEGMAFIA. They each approach music from a truly personal, authentic place, and that is something I strive to emulate in my own approach.
What has been the most challenging thing you’ve face in the industry?
Honestly I think the hardest thing I’ve faced in the industry is getting anybody to care about the bands/projects you’re involved in during the early stages. There’s such an abundance of artists and musicians that until you cultivate a following, you’re kind of just more white noise.
What’s your favorite thing about being in Nashville and the music that surrounds the city?
For me, Nashville’s vice is also its virtue. What I said before about Nashville having an abundance of musicians, means that there’s room for a wealth of genres to thrive. I love that on any night of the week you could find a country show, a pop show, a funk show, and a punk show.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you for live music, concerts, shows, etc to be coming back?
I’d say I’m a big phat ELEVEN! Live shows are my favorite aspect of music, and I can’t wait to get more gigs lined up.
What’s next for you?
Next up for me is writing some more tunes with these guys, seeing my family at least once this summer, and hitting the shed!
Image of THE F1RST ANNUAL taken by Dillon Jordan Photography.
I’ll link their streaming sites and socials below so you all can check it out! Stay tuned for new music coming from THE F1RST ANNUAL. In the meantime, go stream, “A.M.”!
Upcoming artist from Seattle, Washington, Eli Jonathan, releases his newest single, “Showoff”. This is his third single of the year following his two previous singles, “Same Grace” and “Trust”. “Showoff” is about existing in your parallel world with someone else, dimension shifting, and the most intense feelings of envy you’ve ever experienced. Eli collaborated with fellow artist and friend, Samara Lennoxx, on this single.
I had the honor of interviewing Eli about his debut single. This interview is showcasing how he got started in music, who he is as an artist, and just being able to get to know him a little bit more. Check it out below!
What got you started in music?
Early on, it was anyone with a passion for what music they listened to. For me, that was usually my older sibling and my father. Music streaming wasn’t popular yet, at least with our homeschooled, big family circles in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest, so music that those people may or may not have been illegally downloaded was what convinced me that music was part of your identity. From then on I was just looking towards anyone I knew who was already on a stage of some sort.
What would you tell your fans about your upcoming single, “Showoff”?
Mainly that I don’t know exactly where it started. It’s one song that twisted and morphed as time went on and I’ve completely forgotten what it sounded like in my head when I sat down with it for the first time. It reminds me of my early era of throwing things away and scrapping projects just because I felt like I could.
I’m definitely not as proud of that habit now. However, I’m extremely proud of what this song now means and says, and I’m proud of the friend I have singing on it with me, Samara.
Where do you get your inspiration? Or who do you get it from?
Inspiration and motivation are very similar things to me, and I get both most often from people I feel know something I don’t. Sometimes that’s artists that I adore and I spend hours just trying to figure out how their brains work. Lately, it’s been my closest friends, and I can write entire projects imagining what they think, how they feel and how we interact.
Can you tell us about any upcoming music that may be coming our way?
Everything coming up is all about what I’ve missed about music. I’ve been making and keeping a lot of things that make me proud and curating them to figure out what they mean to me. It’s like building my perfect playlist. There is so much coming and I couldn’t be more excited.
What’s next for you?
Trying to make a whole lot of big dreams fit together, spending time with them and getting to know them. Then everything falling into place at once.
Has COVID had a negative or positive impact on you? Has it delayed your creative process or has it helped?
Art made during the pandemic had a much different feeling than art before it. I think it kind of reinforced my ideas about how people relate to my work. It helped my creative process because I was so desperately trying to give what perspectives I had that I felt were unique. You can’t force someone to relate to what you say even with a global pandemic that everyone is going through together. It made me focus on the sincerity behind what I was making.
