Soda Blonde – Small Talk

By starrymag | May 11, 2021

By: Ellie Yates

 

 

Q) Congratulations on your debut album Small Talk to be released on 9th July. What themes do you explore in the album?

A) Jeez, it touches on a lot of things. It’s about indulging in the darkness while also trying to derive some meaning from it; on my (hopefully behind me!) crippling dependency on alcohol; on having no degree; on multiple relationships sabotages and letting my parents down. It’s about looking for resolution and revolution in sex and politics. It’s about being abused mentally and physically by the people you love the most, and in turn, abusing the people who love you. It’s about my first heartbreak at age fourteen, how it’s still intrinsically a part of me and the shame and embarrassment that it brings. It’s about having something you thought was a sure thing, like your career, ripped out from underneath you. It’s also about the idea of optical virtue over the reality of how we treat those around us.

Q) Do you have a favorite song from the album or one you think will particularly resonate with fans?

A) It changes for me on a regular basis. Right now, I’m really enjoying “In the Heat of the Night.” I love how the sonics effortlessly generate the feeling of being out at night and I love how direct and confident the lyrics are in comparison to some of my more vulnerable offerings. The song still hits me in the exact same way as it did back when we first wrote it, which says something about the power and longevity the track has, I think.

Q) The album was entirely self-produced, what does this process involve?

A) It involves a lot of self-doubt, revising and eventual wholehearted satisfaction.

Q) What was the inspiration behind your new single “In the Heat of The Night?”

A) The song’s sonics draw inspiration from the feeling of Scorsese’s Casino. Lyrically, I was inspired by a conflict that was surfacing in me at the time.

Q) Do you plan on releasing any other singles before the album drops or will fans have to eagerly wait?

A) There’s a few surprises in the pipeline.

Q) When writing songs, do you need the music before the lyrics come or vice versa?

A) There’s certainly no exact science to it. In my case I need to feel overcome with a certain emotion and let that do the work for me. I usually formulate my core lyrical sentiment in an almost meditative state, the emotion and music I play informs the lyric and from there I piece the rest of the song together like a jigsaw. I’m not the most musically articulate, but I know what I want to hear. So, it takes me a little while to get it right after the initial idea is down.

Q) You were all part of the band Little Green Cars. How does Soda Blonde’s sound differ?

A) I think the way we work is similar in that we’ve always served the song in how we arrange things. There is never any sonic agenda or formula we feel we have to stick to when creating our music. In saying that, Soda Blonde is definitely more sensually broad and cinematic to me. Our visuals really compliment the music we make and that wasn’t something we had the opportunity to do as much with the previous band.

Q) Who were your favorite artists growing up?

A) To be honest, I was always more attached to particular songs over artists. I found it easier to find myself in music rather than people. In saying that I was heavily influenced by Elliot Smith, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt and Anthony and the Johnsons growing up.

Q) Have any of these influenced your sound?

A) Yep.

Q) COVID has put a stop to live performances for some time, do you have any shows planned for the future?

A) We have an Irish and UK tour planned for September. I’ll play on the streets if COVID stops us getting inside the venues.

Q) You’re quite active on social media. How important do you think this is for keeping in touch with fans?

A) I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered social media at all, in fact I’m still getting my head around it. There has become an expectancy for artists to become online influencers, producing endless content and commentary. This isn’t something I’m a fan of and I try to keep a bit of mystery with our socials regardless of this pressure. I want the art to do the talking.

Q) What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

A) Don’t think too much just make stuff.

Q) What would you like to say to those who are fans and supporters of you and your music?

A) I love you a lot. Let’s be friends.

 

 

 

All Questions Answered By Faye O’Rourke