By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo by Sophie Cherry
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) I like to rock out and just be myself. I guess people will probably describe my music as alt-rock, but I just love to bring lots of energy. I love big choruses and I’m always experimenting with heavier sounds – I’m putting myself into the music, I want it to be honest and true to who I am and to be a lot of fun at the same time.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Nirvana, No Doubt, Radiohead and Deftones all have to be in there in some way. Also, Vein.fm and Basement. I love going to hardcore gigs — there’s something really special about that environment.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Complicated.”
A) “Complicated” is about the turbulence left behind from previous relationships when you’re starting something new. Trusting somebody again can feel really complicated and sometimes you act in spite of yourself as a way to protect yourself.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) Hopefully, it just allows the listener to feel something. I’ve kind of stopped over-explaining my emotions recently and, instead, I’m just letting myself feel them properly. I think people connect to that honesty.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) I just wanted to have fun with it. I dance around my room a lot anyway, and it felt like a reminder not to overthink everything… just let go a bit. Who cares?
Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before lyrics?
A) It’s always shifting. For me, songwriting has to come from a feeling — not just writing for the sake of it or trying to make something “good.” It’s about being genuinely inspired by whatever you’re feeling at that moment.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I love production – it’s such a big part of how a song feels and where it ends up. I’m obsessed with hardcore guitar tones at the moment, and also those older Linkin Park sounds. I just love experimenting with sound.
Q) With “Complicated,” “Ur Girlfriend’s a Lawyer,” “Undress Me” and “Sick of Myself” out now, is this leading to a full album or EP?
A) It’s an EP — it’s called Hana. With these songs, I wanted to be more honest with myself. I’ve always been truthful in my lyrics, but I don’t think I fully let myself just be me before. This EP feels more personal than anything I’ve released.
Over the past year, I’ve realized I’m not always great at feeling my emotions and they can build up into anxiety. Giving myself the space to be introspectively honest has been really important and really valuable.
Q) You recently performed at SXSW! What did it mean to you to play such an iconic festival?
A) It’s so awesome to be around so much great music. I think I just prefer to be playing on stage, if I’m honest. To be around such amazing musicians (and also great Welsh musicians) it’s such an honor! I think it’s important to play live but also connect with other musicians, you can chat about so much together…it’s important!
Q) My favorite tracks are “Ur Girlfriend’s a Lawyer” and “Sick of Myself.” Which songs are your favorite to perform live?
A) We’ve added a pretty heavy breakdown at the end of “Sick of Myself” and we actually did a wall of death at a show in Paris with Mouth Culture — that’s definitely up there for me right now.
Also “Not Fair.” It’s a really personal song I wrote in my bedroom and it’s nice to have that moment to myself in the set where I can get lost in the song.
Q) What was your process for figuring out your setlist?
A) A lot of jumping around my bedroom… and a lot of back and forth in rehearsals.
Q) Which artists were you excited to see while you were in Austin?
A) Ben Ellis, Blair Davie, Panic Shack and Adult DVD. I also discovered a Canadian band called Ooz while I was out there – they were so cool!
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with in the future?
A) In a dream world it would be so sick to collaborate with Deftones, No Doubt, Linkin Park or Basement.
Q) What are you currently listening to and why do you love them?
A) Right now, I’ve been listening to Dead Pony and Soul Blind. Dead Pony are just really cool and Soul Blind have a track called “Phantom Pool” that I’ve had on repeat.
Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?
A) Keep being yourself. Always rock out and remember it’s okay to feel your feelings!!!!