By: Kelly Kearney
Q) Who are some artists that influenced you when you were growing up?
A) My first two CDs were The Buggles – The Age of Plastic and Celine Dion – Falling into You.I was obsessed with the Pulp Fiction Soundtrack and I also had a NY Knicks cassette we would dance to. Singing in the school chorus was always the highlight of my day. I loved old show-tunes and did really enjoy flipping through my dads 100 Disc CD Changer booklet – full of rock and roll stuff.
Q) You have a new album titled Waking Up hit the streaming sites on January 30th and a single and an accompanying video is out now for the song “Heavy Sleeper.” What about that song made it the right choice to introduce fans to the album?
A) I recorded an album a few years back and it didn’t quite feel right. I was re-working some older songs and some newer ones and I decided to rip that album in half and rebuild both sides. The original album I had done was going to be called Heavy Sleeper and very much existed in a dream world, which this does as well but with some life zapped into it and after some new songs and old, re-imagined ones, it became Waking Up.
Q) You released your first two albums independently—what made TODO Records feel like the right home for Waking Up?
A) I always wanted to build a great team to work with – the help of an amazing label was top of the wish list. But I was patient and felt pretty particular – “if it’s not a yes – it’s a no.” An awesome label that felt like family – that saw the vision and not only supported it but felt part of it. When my dear friend and past collaborator Pooneh Ghana approached us about working with TODO – it made so much sense. And then being introduced to Simon and Meesh – I knew it was exactly the right fit.
Q) As I listened to “Heavy Sleeper” I wondered if there was a particular spark of inspiration behind it—perhaps a specific moment or experience you had that pushed you to write it?
A) I wrote the song close to ten years ago, which sounds nuts. It was the beginning of a dark period for me/a deep sleep. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it was that it meant. It was tied to a few experiences, but as time went on it was clear that it was a picture and reflection of a phase and a state of mind for quite some time.
Q) The single is equal parts haze and havoc, as it simultaneously floats and thrashes its way through a bluesy indie rock sound you are getting known for. Was that push and pull intentional in the writing process, or did it happen organically?
A) It happened pretty organically. I actually remember recording/writing the original demo and I really wanted to feel the fall into sleep/ feel the pull to a different room or different dream/ nightmare. I wanted the half time part “woo-hoo” moment to feel like this repeat dream I kept having where I was able to control my flying and then it would get out of control and I would fly too high and it would take my breath away and scare me.
Q) You’re very theatrical in your music videos and seem comfortable in that creative space. Your previous single, “Ice Cream on the Beach” and now “Heavy Sleeper” make it look like acting could be your next gig. Do you go into the video-making process with a story in mind and a vision for how to visualize it or do you leave that up to the director?
A) Damn, thanks! I actually studied acting in college. Music was always what felt most natural to me – it was such a gift to be studying acting at the time when I realized I wanted to be writing songs. I found that what I learned about character development and psychology and place and time made the art of songwriting feel so magical and endless and special. When I finally started recording on my own music it was like, “DAMN this can sound like that place!” And performing it can be a portal to access that. And we can make mini movies! It feels so personal and powerful. I want to create a world for every single song. Most videos I have some solid ideas for and will have friends shoot it and help me make it happen – also help with editing. Others I will collaborate with the director or creative and we will just go in/ bounce ideas. “Heavy Sleeper” was one of the first that a vision board was shown to me and it was completely laid out and figured out. It was just as amazing seeing that world created from another perspective and taking all the direction and just trusting the vision from a trusted collaborator and close friend! Just talking about this excites me! I want to lean into that more. I am open to all versions and it’s the best!
Q) You lead a three-piece band on vocals and guitar, backed by Derek Vaughan Nunez Strahan on bass and Nick Cornetti on drums. Do the three of you write together in structured sessions, or does the magic happen spontaneously when you jam?
A) I am writing songs and recording the demos alone and building the structures and the melody and a feel. I bring them to the band pretty complete but with an openness and a desire to hear more and to expand. I don’t consider myself super strong on all instruments – even though I can play them and record them – the power of collaboration and seeing and feeling what the band contributes always takes it to the next level.
Q) Artists are often inspired by each other, and collaboration is where new ideas really take shape. Which of your favorite current artists would be a dream collaborator for you?
A) I would love to collaborate with SZA. The list really could go on, but the amount I listen to SZA the last few years tops all others!
Q) Is there a track on it that feels especially personal or cathartic to perform live?
A) Some of the songs we have already been playing but some we are going to start this year. I love how playing songs you haven’t played feels sooo vulnerable. It allows so many things to come into play and sometimes takes the song to a new place and I am so excited to see how they move and transform over the next year or so.
Q) Is there a song on the album – maybe a personal favorite – that you are hoping fans connect with?
A) I think “Beef Witte” is my favorite lately. It won’t be streaming (vinyl only for now) but playing it live has been so fun! There is something about it. “Sword Swallower,” too!
Q) What do you hope lingers with audiences that explore this LP as a whole – either as a message or emotion?
A) Maybe just being able to find a friend in it. Being able to relate to it.
Q) What would you like to say to fans of your work and to new listeners just discovering your sound?
A) Thanks for listening to the music. And appreciating this work as a whole. Not just a piece of trending sound or short video clip. <3