Can you tell us about your journey as a musician and how you got started in the industry?
I come from a small town in Missouri where it was tough to make friends and everyone seemed to play guitar. I learned some chords on different instruments to try to make friends and set myself apart from all the six stringers and it worked. I joined a band playing banjo and kept writing my own stuff on the side.
What inspired you to pursue a music career, and what keeps you motivated to create?
A therapist told me to try to write songs more often when I was in my 20s. They noticed how much I loved journaling and writing and my love of music and suggested I try to organize my thoughts and feelings in that way and it worked like fate. The gears clicked into place and songwriting is how I started to express myself from then on. Any life experience that comes my way gets processed and analyzed through song.
In what ways do you think your personal experiences and background influence your music creation process?
I’ve been told I may have a hyper-creative brain, meaning I’m constantly thinking of new and different ways to create something. With that, the things that happen in my life automatically get shoved into that scope and it’s habitually how I process things. I was diagnosed with incurable cancer, Borderline Personality Disorder, Avascular Necrosis, and have gone through much more in the last four years and use it all to process and fuel my art. It keeps me mentally more stable and gives me something to focus on.
How would you describe your music style and the overall theme of your latest EP “Camper”?
I’m labeled as an Indie Folk artist, but I love experimentation. I’ve used heavy distortion and electronic drums and synths in my music and am constantly trying new and different ways to broaden myself. The tone of Camper came out of me being bored with playing guitar in standard tuning. I was itching to create something and started learning different tunings and found one that finally worked. Camper was written around the idea of a 20 minute camping trip in my mind. Lots of people ask what goes on in my mind and this was the best way to show them. It starts with doubt (A Real State) and then delves into a traumatic time in my life that feeds that doubt (There’s A First Time For Everything) and then ends on a note of hope, but acceptance of reality (Sunlight). It’s how my mind works sometimes. I’m self deprecating and my self esteem is nowhere to be found and then the traumatic flashbacks start as my memories swirl like brain poison until I end in acceptance of how things are with a little bit of hope sparking through.
Were there any unexpected influences or sources of inspiration that shaped the direction of “Camper” during its creation?
I knew I wanted something ethereal, pretty, with a dose of some heaviness musically. I took inspiration from bands like Manchester Orchestra, Pinegrove, as well as some Post Rock instrumental bands. The one that surely surprised me was the inspiration I got from my father. He didn’t teach me how to do many things, but I always held the flashlight for him. It’s amazing how that has formed the way I get by in the world. I’m more resourceful and scrappy because I learn as I go. It’s true with everything for me. I’m just learning everything as I go.
Can you share any memorable moments or anecdotes from the making of “Camper”?
Camper was written in a week and recorded over 3 days straight. I barely ate or slept while recording it and the entire thing was so cathartic, as they always are. Once I start, I really can’t stop. It’s my hyper-creativity. When I let the gate open, the ideas come lightning fast. What you hear is what I was able to catch.
Do you have a favorite track from “Camper”? If so, what makes it special to you?
There’s A First Time For Everything is my favorite because it helped me process some trauma and I got to hide easter eggs all throughout it. I reference a Foo Fighters and Clay Walker song in it. Makes me smile every time. Other than that, it’s the one with the fullest production with a head banging breakdown for the extra dopamine bump.
“Camper” showcases a rich sonic palette and intricate production. Can you share insights into your studio process and the techniques employed to craft the EP’s unique sound?
I’m a huge sucker for effects and experimentation. I love the juxtaposition of light and dark tones to evoke an atmosphere. It encapsulates the listener and helps them immerse themselves. The bones of my songs are always there, but the negative space is where my music in Camper really comes alive. I try my best to keep you occupied while the structure of the song sails you along. There are a lot of times I choose to leave the listener sitting with what they just heard in order to fully process and develop the information. For Camper, I knew I wanted it to have a common thread throughout both sonically and narratively. I think I achieved what I set out for.
Many artists use their music as a form of self-expression and catharsis. How do you personally connect with the emotions conveyed in “Camper,” and what do they signify within the context of your life?
As with all of my music, Camper is fully autobiographical. Every word is the truth for me and what I believe. I’ve been lucky enough to turn my personal diary into a career. It’s kept me alive, sane, and hopeful. Camper is something I don’t have to hold in anymore. It’s an emotional release of sorts. Sure, I’m still struggling, but I feel so much better not holding onto these thoughts. Besides, this way I can find more people to relate to and maybe won’t feel so alone in the world like I do.
How do you perceive your musical journey evolving beyond “Camper,” and what aspects of your artistry do you hope to further explore in future projects?
My next release is out on April 12, 2024 and explores the world of identity and who I am. It’s a step up from Camper in the sense that it’s more musically fluid. Every track flows into one another for a more well rounded experience. Like Camper, it rides the line of heavy and pretty with more of a folky vibe. Jekyll&Hyde&Seek will be on all streaming platforms on April 12th and you can preorder it now on my Bandcamp. As far as my live shows, I’m working to make Foxlin more interesting for people who want the experience of the studio work recreated on stage. I can’t say much now, but a couple of full band shows are coming.
