By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) My sound blends emotional pop with alt and cinematic influences; it’s honest, atmospheric and rooted in raw storytelling.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I’m consistently influenced by what my parents listened to when I was a kid – Radiohead, Gorillaz, Matthew Good Band and Tori Amos. Such unique and unapologetic artists.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Grin.”
A) “Grin” is probably one of the most personal songs I’ve written. It’s about the pressure to perform emotionally, even when you’re falling apart inside. I wrote it during a time when I felt like a fraud in my own skin, smiling through doubt and constantly questioning whether I even deserve a seat at the table. Imposter syndrome is such a quiet thief, it chips away at your confidence while the world sees you “doing fine.” This song gave me space to be honest about that mask and start to let it go.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think fans connected to “Grin” because it captures something so many people feel but rarely say out loud. That quiet pressure to seem okay when you’re not. The line between confidence and self-doubt. And “Grin” lives in that tension. It’s vulnerable without asking for pity. It says, “I’m struggling, but I’m still here.” That honesty makes people feel seen. Whether it’s imposter syndrome, burnout or just the weight of pretending, the song puts language to emotions that are usually hidden behind a smile and that kind of truth always resonates.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) The video for “Grin” plays with the contrast between what we show and what we actually feel. It leans into the idea of masking those moments where you’re smiling through self-doubt, performing confidence while quietly falling apart. Visually, it blurs the line between control and unraveling, switching between polished, composed imagery and more raw, vulnerable shots. It’s not about dramatizing pain – it’s about revealing the quiet cracks we try to hide.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) My writing process almost always starts with a feeling or a moment I can’t shake something I’ve lived through or need to understand better by putting it into words. I usually begin with the lyrics. There’s something about finding the exact phrase that captures what I’m feeling that grounds the whole song for me. Once the words are there, I start shaping the music around them. That said, there are times when I’ll stumble across a few chords that feel like they’re pulling a verse out of me, like the melody knows the story before I do. It’s different every time, but it always starts with something real.
Q) David Tolomei and Mike Bozzi lent a hand with mixing and masters for “Grin.” How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) Production is a really collaborative space for me, especially when I’m working with someone like Chris Coady. With “Grin,” I came in with a clear emotional vision, but Chris helped shape the sonic world around it. I’m super hands on. I care a lot about how the production supports the feeling of the song without overpowering it. We’d go back and forth, tweaking textures and dynamics until it felt honest. It’s never just about making something sound good; it’s about making sure every sound serves the story. Working with Chris feels like building something together, layer by layer, with trust and intention.
Q) Where does the title of your sophomore EP Adesso come from?
A) My grandfather is Italian and has always been one of the most steady, supportive forces in my life especially when it comes to my music. He’s the one who taught me what it means to keep going with strength and grace, even when things feel uncertain. He gave me the kind of quiet confidence that stays with you. Adesso, which means “Now” in Italian, is a reflection of that. It’s about being rooted in the present, owning what you feel, what you’ve been through and letting that truth guide your actions. This EP is deeply personal and naming it Adesso felt like honoring both his spirit and everything he’s helped me become.
Q) What are some themes you will be exploring on this new EP?
A) In Adesso, I’m exploring the messier, more complicated sides of growing into yourself. A lot of the songs deal with imposter syndrome, the feeling of being stuck and the terrifying but necessary process of letting go. I’m also writing about anxiety and depression, not in a way that wraps things up neatly, but in a way that lets them exist honestly. There’s this constant tension between wanting to be seen and wanting to disappear. At the heart of the EP is the idea of daring to be myself, even on the days I don’t like who that is. It’s about showing up anyway.
Q) How has your music evolved since the work on your last EP Bloodstone?
A) Since Bloodstone, my music has grown with me. That project was about survival, learning how to hold pain and still move forward. With Adesso, I’ve shifted into something more present and reflective. Sonically, I’ve leaned into more atmospheric, textured sounds that give the lyrics more space to breathe. There’s more nuance, more honesty and hopefully more connection. It still comes from the same place, but I think I’m telling the story with a little more light now.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) I’ve always been drawn to small, intimate venues. They create a kind of closeness that makes every lyric feel personal, for me and the audience. Some of my favorite shows have been in cozy listening rooms or dimly lit bars where I can see people’s faces and really feel the connection.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) If I could collaborate with anyone, I mean, Thom Yorke would be my first choice. No question. I’d try really hard to play it cool. Probably fail
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I’ve been listening a lot to the latest Vampire Weekend album Only God Was Above Us. I love how they have evolved yet still kept what made them so special back in the early 10’s.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I just want to say thank you. It means everything to know that something I’ve written or shared has resonated with someone. This path isn’t always easy, but having people who connect with the music, who see themselves in the lyrics, makes it all worth it.