Can you share some insights into your early life in Coatesville, PA, and how it influenced your musical journey?
When I was born, my grandmother took one look at my long fingers and said I was either going to be a pianist or a surgeon. Surgery doesn’t sound fun. Being homeschooled until graduation at the age of 14 and living in the Pennsylvania countryside afforded me a lot of opportunities. I was able to weave music, my love of illustration, writing, and storytelling into everything I create. My mother’s artistic creativities were like a ribbon I could run with, always inspiring me. She calls me a workaholic because I was always typing a novel, writing concertos and lullabies early on, and designing fashion. I never stopped learning new arts.
Starting violin at age 3 is impressive. How did that early start shape your musical abilities and interests?
As my mom relays it to me, when I was 3 she was playing a Vivaldi CD. I asked what the high-pitched sound was. It was a violin. It wasn’t long before my parents bought me my first violin. I understood the music almost immediately, but faced difficulty holding it up being so small. By age 7 I asked for a piano. A church lovingly donated one. By the end of the day I was playing Beethoven’s Fifth, but confused between hands and staff lines. My mom had an “ah-ha” moment realizing I was left handed. It turns out that I am and all of the sudden things made sense to me. I’ve been writing left and playing left-handed stringed instruments ever since.
Being homeschooled and self-taught in music, what challenges and advantages did you experience in your education?
I had a blast being a homeschooler and weaving music and arts into everything I learned. Much creative freedom was given where music was concerned, as my parents are not musically gifted. I am so happy to have found music at such a young age and to have a clear purpose in life. I seem to specialize in a multiplex of languages in various forms, including math and knitting!! One disadvantage is I had very few friends. However, I spent weekends horseback riding for 10 years, learned ballet for many years, and archery, so maybe not so much disadvantage. I was always reading in downtime, I have a huge library and many, many instruments. Never a dull moment.
As a multi-instrumentalist, which instruments do you play, and do you have a favorite?
I’d say guitar. I spend the most time playing guitar, as my music is very guitar driven. I think it’s such an emotive, expressive instrument. That said, piano is probably my strongest instrument. I also play violin, bass guitar, mandolin, and ukulele. I’d like to get a banjo and learn that next lol. It’ll come in handy for my upcoming country projects.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Just like lightning, the same situation has never struck me twice. It’s like the song finds me, not the other way around. I’ve tried to “sit down” and write something, but it’s never my best work and feels forced. When it’s right, and the song is ready, it’s like it was always right there for the taking. Sometimes I’ll write the whole song in a minute flat, or sometimes I’ll come back to a verse I wrote weeks ago and put it all together. Also, I’ll come up with a song at the worst moment when I don’t have paper hahaha. I wrote one of my best verses on a napkin, on my way to an airport. Current goals include traveling with a notebook, for goodness sake.
How do you balance the roles of singer, songwriter, and producer in your projects?
It’s simple—I never stop working. If I’m not writing, I’m recording; if I’m not producing, I’m scribbling notes for an arrangement. My mom calls me a workaholic. I love every aspect of the art, but its frustrating not being able to record albums as fast as I can write them. I need a few more hands and more hours in the day!
What inspired the creation of “forget about it,” and what personal experiences influenced its lyrics?
This song is based in imagination and cinematic moments. I wanted to capture that hopeless crush feel, the premise of so many Y2K movies. I love so many types of storytelling, film included. I’m currently writing a grunge-inspired novel that I hope becomes a film someday. I would love the challenge of soundtracking it.
What do you want listeners to feel when they hear “forget about it”?
I grew up listening to—and still listen to—90s and early 2000s alternative rock. I love listening to a vast array of music, but grunge, pop-punk, and alt rock songs are close to my heart. I love the sense of rebellion, the raw sound, the freedom, and that moment in the movies where it was never the hot guy but your best friend all along. When people listen to “forget about it,” I hope they feel that youthful energy. Maybe you relate to the lyrics and the emotions, or maybe you just want something edgy to rock out to like nobody’s watching and remember your favorite Y2K movie scene.
Can you discuss any unique production techniques or instrumental choices used in the track?
I could name drop some fancy techniques I’ve taught myself in production, such as New York-style compression and Abbey Road reverb, but my favorite technique is just having an ear to know what the mix needs and a hands-on approach to portray my vision in the sound. Lately I’ve been enjoying blending electric and acoustic guitar for a dynamic sound. I kept the verse lower and quieter, with subtle guitar chugging so that the chorus has more of a powerful build.
What can fans expect from your upcoming projects or future musical directions?
The one thing they can count on is a ton of new music! I’m currently finishing a full-length album that is a blend of pop-punk, alternative rock, and emo rap. Behind it in the works are a country album and a bright, fun, ska-inspired album. I love to create music in a wide variety of genres, from country to alternative rock to emo rap. I can bring my creative energy to any genre and still be myself while broadening my sound. I receive so much positive feedback from my listeners who enjoy that range as much as I do. I want to keep my listeners guessing.
Where do you see yourself in the music industry a few years from now?
TOUR! I’m dreaming big! I hope to go on tour someday, to see every beautiful city and crowd! Music is a journey to me and I’ve loved every stop along the way. Music has brought joy and definition to my life and I’m so glad God has blessed me with those gifts.
