Hey, How did you get into music?
Hey, I started when I was little by taking violin lessons by the age of five, and although I gave up on the violin after a couple years I had this weird connection with music, where I would totally disconnect from my surroundings and just be absorbed by it. I picked up a guitar when I was eleven and ever since then I never stopped.
Who are some of your musical influences?
From a young age I was surrounded by great music from my parents, from Elton John to Dire Straits, which really inspired me growing up. But I think the artists that changed me personally were Chet Faker, The 1975 and Bon Iver; each for their rather unique and distinctive approach to making music, always exploring both as writers and as producers.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Someone that helped me massively when I started in the music industry told me to not be scared to mess things up, when it comes to trying new sounds and evolving as an artist. There is something beautiful and mature in exploring and even if some people might not like it, the whole essence of being creative is trying something new for the artist. And also when you are starting no one has bigger expectations than yourself so letting go of that and embracing the uncertainty and failure helps a lot.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I like to think of songs like short stories usually derived from a feeling or situation a lot of people might have gone through, but at the same time I like to twist it a little bit. Mental health and the struggles we go through in our daily lives are a big source of inspiration for me so I like to paint both the world of romanticised reality and what might be happening in our heads, allowing those intrusive thoughts to flow in.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?
I think we are at a very interesting point in time where finally the overall infrastructure of the music industry is fighting for equal representation and is open to artists without discrimination. At the same time, with A.I., everything seems to be at a very uncertain point, given that technology is evolving way faster than we can understand and regulate, so the usage of these tools can be unfair to artists and all creatives. We’ll have to see where this all lands, as of now I feel we are in the eye of the storm.
What’s the story behind your latest single, ”Naked ”?
Naked comes from a sense of loss of someone on an emotional level, it’s about seeing that person close off to those that truly care, triggering a feeling of frustration while at the same having to let go. It draws from personal experiences and serves as a reminder that pain can be shared, doesn’t need to be carried alone, and that people that truly love you will be there to carry it with you.
Why should people listen to it?
Well the message I think carries a positive connotation, but besides that I believe it’s a song that has a mood underneath it, it’s chill yet meaningful, mellow yet rhythmical. Overall I believe it’s a perfect song for these summer nights when someone might be questioning things or simply wants to get absorbed into an atmosphere of sound. I think it’s a song to experience and let go. I’ve been told it sounds sexy too so people can make this song whatever they want it to be.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I have a short list of people that I know quite well and I can judge if a song is ready based on their reactions to the tracks. They help me get out of my perfectionist head and know when something hits the right spots. Otherwise I would be endlessly improving tiny sounds in the back.
What are your favorite musical genres, and are there any you dislike?
I love alternative pop and RnB. Anything that has a groove or is slightly emotionally charged always steals my heart. I listen to almost everything and I love discovering new genres I always thought I wouldn’t like. I got into some techno artists recently, something my ten year old self would have never even thought possible.
Would you like to say anything to emerging artists?
As an emerging artist myself all I can say is to keep going, to keep making music and exploring, and of course to collaborate with people. I used to believe I had to do everything myself, and since I started sharing ideas with other musicians my life took a different colour. You can grow by yourself but growing together is both faster and way more fun.
