Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: Hi, yeah! So I’m from Tinley Park, a town in Upper Illinois. I have wanted to start a career in music ever since I was in 2nd grade. I saw musicians playing piano on the TV a lot and I wanted to learn, but it was hard to find someone who would accept me into their curriculum due to the fact that my hands were so small. Eventually, we found a teacher and I’ve been stuck with the music bug ever since.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: While my style may be mostly folk-like, I like using my freetime to listen to artists completely 180 from me in terms of style. I listen to Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Kesha. And ABBA. I listen to a *lot* of ABBA.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I think my first and strongest musical influence was actually a musical: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The music is just so creative and diverse, introducing you to all different styles of music in the short span of about an hour and a half. I could not stop listening to it. I still haven’t stopped, actually. I’ve got the soundtrack in the car haha.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Sweater Aesthetic’. Is there a story behind it?
A: There’s certainly a story behind it for me, however I feel the story changes from person to person. For me personally, it’s about how you use a ‘sweater’, so to speak, to hide your true self when things are tough, and prevent the world from seeing the real you until you are comfortable. However, every person I’ve shown the song to before release has had a different interpretation. And I like that a lot.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I’m hoping maybe at least an EP before the end of 2024, but that’s just a plan in my head. I haven’t really given any thought to it at the moment. Life moves very fast and it’s hard to keep up with it all. I do have some ideas, though, of what I would do for an EP.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: The part that I hope really resonates with the listeners is the instrumentation. Music like this is, of course, music made with lyrics for people to sing along to. However, I try to make the background instrumentation complex and not just repeating itself over and over every chorus. In this way, I would personally describe my sound as ‘folk-like’ perhaps, but with the stylings of Electric Light Orchestra. I love Electric Light Orchestra so much, and their use of orchestral instrumentation in modern music inspires me so much.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I feel as if I’m always expecting more. That’s something my friends and family get on me about a lot. I release a new song and they’ll be like “That’s exciting! Aren’t you excited?” and I’ll be like “Meh.” Not because I’m trying to be cocky or anything. I just feel like I can always do better. It drives me, but it is definitely a hindrance sometimes.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Haha I get asked this question by everybody, and honestly, it’s different every time. Sometimes I’ll think of an instrument combination that I think would go cool together, and I write a song around that. Or sometimes I’ll think of a really cool vocal melody and build a song around that. Or sometimes I’ll just sit at my computer and play with the instruments until I find something I like. I don’t think any of my songs have had the same process.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: The most difficult thing has been, by far, the transition from college to the adult world. There’s a lot of doubt, a lot of anxiety about whether this is something I can keep up with now that I have bills to pay and a job to work at. But, I’d rather fail having at least tried, than to think I won by giving up, you know?
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I would say the most proud I’ve been of my music in my life is actually where I’m at right now. Before, my music was just kind of listened to by friends and family, and perhaps the occasional blog post. But with ‘Sweater Aesthetic’, I’m getting radio airplay for the first time, I’m getting playlisted, and overall just a lot more is happening in terms of my music spreading than before. I’ve even been asked to play it on a radio show. I’m excited about that, and I’m excited for the future.
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