By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) Your music has been described as “alt-pop,” but how would you describe your sound?
A) That identifier was given to me at the very beginning of my career, so I’m not sure if it applies anymore. [laughs] I’d say I’ve evolved since. I wrote my first EP at age fifteen and released it at age nineteen, which in itself already had a huge personal growth jump between me writing it and me releasing it. Obviously, because I started writing so young, I went through a lot of different phases of life and identity and my music evolved with me. Currently, I’d say I’m kind of going back to what I’ve always loved, which is music that relies heavily on storytelling.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) There are so many of them it would be hard to name all of them. Currently, I’d say Joan Baez is probably the biggest one, as well as a lot of Appalachian folk, some Slavic folk and even some middle eastern influences. I also always loved scores, soundtracks and musicals so I think that is also weaved into my music.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “i was never yours.”
A) I don’t like explaining what my songs are about because it’s all there in the lyrics. I also don’t like telling people how my songs should make them feel. I like when people relate to my stories through their stories and experiences. What I can say is that to me, this song is about freedom.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I kind of already answered this in the previous question. [laughs] I can’t speak for others and how or why something resonates with them, I’m just glad it does because that means I’m not alone in feeling certain ways or going through certain experiences.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) I’d like to think the video captures the freedom I felt writing it and the release it brought me. It also reflects the community coming together because as I mentioned previously, music brings us closer together through shared feelings and experiences.
Q) “i was never yours” was co-written by Suki Waterhouse and Harrison Whitford. How did their input help shape the sound and lyrics for the song?
A ) I can’t really tell you because I don’t know what the song would be or if it would ever happen without them. The session was such an encouraging environment and such a positive experience, we got the scratch demo done in about half a day.
Q) Benjamin Lazar Davis handled production for the song, but how much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I’m always very hands on and I’m always very vocal about the vision I have for a song, but this song is the first one I was fully 100% in it.
Q) With “i was never yours” out, is this a prelude to a full album or EP?
A) People will just have to wait and see! Just know that I’m always working on one thing or another.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) Honestly, it depends on the crowd. I’ve played shows where the crowds weren’t as welcoming, and I’ve played shows where the crowds were absolutely breathtakingly involved. I love crowds that pay attention to what I’m saying and the stories I’m telling, crowds that are very engaged and unafraid to be encouraging and supportive. I feed off the crowd so if they’re not giving me the energy, I don’t have much to work with.
Q) You’ve shared the stage with some iconic musicians like Yungblud and My Chemical Romance. Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) There are too many people to name them all. Hozier is one for sure – he’s had such a big influence on me ever since I was a kid. I think one that maybe might surprise people is Rachel Zegler – I think she’s such an incredibly talented woman. I’ve been a fan of hers for years and I have a lot of respect for her.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I mentioned a few in my previous answers – Joan Baez, Hozier, Rachel Zegler – they’re all incredibly talented and also unafraid to use their platform to speak about important issues which I think a lot of people in the spotlight unfortunately are, so I have deep, deep respect for them.
I also mentioned scores, soundtracks and musicals – I think a few that I’ve been listening to the most in the recent years have been Hadestown, Cabaret, Bonnie & Clyde and Evita. I also love the composer Abel Korzeniowski.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I love you, you are not alone, treat others with the kindness and respect you’d want to be treated with and don’t forget – free Palestine.