Courtney Paige Nelson – Fever Dream

By starrymag | October 18, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I think my sound has evolved a lot over the past year. I’ve kinda fallen more into this electro pop category and I feel at home here. My ultimate goal is to make music that sounds different and unique, but you could still hear on the radio.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I take a lot of influences from EDM in terms of production. That’s always been a genre I’ve gravitated to. I want to blend soulful vocals with EDM influence and make it something unique and my own.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Andy.”

A) The story behind “ANDY” is basically an ode to an ex-boyfriend whose name was in fact ANDY. After not getting clarity for months and breaking things off, I decided to give myself clarity by using music to my advantage and making a song to say my piece.

 

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

A) I think it’s a different spin on a ‘breakup song’ in the sense that it isn’t a sad cry into your pillow song. Instead, it’s very much a breakup anthem. It’s something you roll all the windows down in the car with your best friend and sing at the top of your lungs to. I wanted to make an anthem, not another breakup song.

 

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

A) Well, first off, I had zero budget. We shot this in the living room of my friend’s apartment on a random backdrop. She did the makeup as well! The concept was to touch base on the digital age and how it effects dating. The video was inspired by FKA Twigs video “water me.” I wanted it to be stripped back and personal because after all the song itself is just a letter I never got to send to an ex. It was just my version of closure.

 

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

A) I don’t have a process that would make sense to a lot of people because I basically have no process. I hear melody in my head and write words easily. Usually, it will happen when I’m out and I’ll write the words then mumble a melody into my voice notes. From there I’d take it to the producer I’m working with and be like, “Hey, so this is what I was hearing in my head.”

 

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

A) Although I don’t produce, I am VERY involved. I know what I hear in my head, and I want to make sure it comes out the way I hear it. So, I’ll sit with the producer and explain as best as I can while going through sounds to find what fits. I love because able to create what’s in my brain.

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your new EP Fever Dream?

A) Breakups, having things taken from me, feeling isolated by your own sense of determination for something, the senses we trigger when we’re processing a loss (hearing, taste, smell)

 

Q) What tracks challenged you the most to create? I’m in love with “Senses,” but which songs hold a special significance to you?

A) Awe thank you! That’s actually my favorite one. I’m really proud of how unique the concept is. The senses we have as humans and how they are triggered and challenged when we lose someone is a very unique concept. I think that’s just an emotional song in general and I love it so much. I’m very proud of it so to hear that from you means a lot.

 

Q) How did you shake off a long day in the studio when it came to recording the EP?

A) I’m a workaholic, so for me it’s more how do I shake off a day not being in the studio lol

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from checking out Fever Dream?

A) I want them to see my transformation as an artist. I really took time to put out a project I was proud of.

 

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

A) I’ve already started playing shows! And, yes, I missed it a lot.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) My favorite place to perform so far is Hotel Cafe if we’re referring to venues in Los Angeles. They were the first place to book me for a show, so I built a great relationship with them.

 

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

A) I listen to everything; my library is so chaotic. It’s the definition of someone who has ADHD. I love everything from film scores to punk. I like to have an open mind with music, so I’m not restricted on a specific sound.

 

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 during the pandemic it was very important for me. I’m an awkward weird person, so it can be hard for me to connect with people sometimes. My personality combined with ADHD is chaotic fun. The cool thing with social media is I can 100% be my authentic self and people can decide if they want to interact or follow me. It’s not forced. I want to gather all the misfits, weirdos, and funny people into a virtual friend/support group that is my social media. Basically, let’s all be weirdos together.

 

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

A) You don’t know how much you mean to me. Music saved my life. I tried to take it three years ago and music saved me from going through with that. So, to be able to make music that you like enough to listen to on your own blows my mind. I really am not doing this for me, I’m doing this to connect with people in hopes that something I write resonates and helps someone who needs it.