Azalyne – E-Girl

By starrymag | March 24, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?  

 

A) I think my sound is a mix of R&B and Jazz, with a few pop elements. My sound is definitely still growing as I am, so I’m going to continue making interesting music!!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?  

 

A) Raveena, Daniel Caesar, Frank Ocean, Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Thundercat, Rina Sawayama, Prince, Jack Stauber, Nelward, Sade

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “E-Girl.” 

 

A) I wrote it in 2019 when the E-Girl phenomenon was really taking off. I wrote it half about the tropes of ‘E-girl,” but also about the fact that a lot of the time people can’t do anything or be interested in any specific style without being made fun of, so its about that as well.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to? 

 

A) I think my fans connected to it because its something a lot of young people have come across. E-girl memes used to be everywhere and they’re still relevant now. And also, it’s a very electric and pop like song and I think a lot of people like that kind of music!!

 

Q) How will the video for the track play into the message behind it?  

 

A) “E-Girl” doesn’t have a video. I had plans for the video, but sadly COVID-19 prevented that from happening. ☹ But maybe in the future I’ll make one!!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) I can’t write lyrics by themselves for the most part. Music is a very important part of the writing process. I’ll usually create a song on my piano/guitar and a specific lyric will start repeating itself in my head that goes with the song. So, I’ll write a song based on that lyric. Sometimes I write songs based on things I see and experience in real life or just based on things I make up. But I often write songs with no lyrics.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) I co-produce all my songs. I compose them all and I play the instruments for them, I play piano, guitar and bass (I have brought in a few musicians that I play with live into the studio and I’m hoping to have them involved in more of my upcoming singles). I’m very involved in the process. If something isn’t going in a way that I imagined it, I’ll point it out and work with the producer to get it right.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future? 

 

A) I’m planning on releasing a few singles this year, (which is harder because of the pandemic) so maybe I’ll put those songs and a couple that haven’t been releasing in an EP at the end of the year!!

 

Q) You’re quite popular at festivals and venues all over. Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) I obviously haven’t performed everywhere, but I enjoyed performing at Lula Lounge and the Supermarket in Kensington market with my band. They’re very fun venues with nice crowds! And of all the festivals I think the Beaches Jazz Festival was quite fun. It was the first time my band started to come together. It was a great crowd. We were on the main stage and everyone had a great time! But, honestly, I really enjoy a smaller and more intimate crowd where I can see the crowd dancing and singing along.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage? 

 

A) I definitely miss gigging a lot! It’s one of my favorite parts of being an artist! I love the energy of the crowd and the interaction and I love performing with other musicians!! There’s nothing like it!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?  

 

A) If you mean a famous musician, hmm… maybe Daniel Caesar.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?   

 

A) Hmm maybe Djesse vol. 3 by Jacob Collier or It Is What it Is by Thundercat. They’re both amazing artists and the albums are both very musically interesting. In Djesse, many songs have completely different styles and Thundercat is one of my favorite bassists. He has such an amazing groove and is one of the reasons I started practicing bass. I love the song “Black Qualls” from that album.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?  

 

A) I think social media is something every artist needs to use, especially during a pandemic. It’s something that I struggle with often because I’m used to interacting with people in real life, so it’s hard to create content to post sometimes. But I’m trying to get better at this!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work? 

 

A) Thank you for supporting me!! If I had no fans, I’d be releasing music to no one, so thank you so much for being a fan!