Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was very lucky to be born into a family with a strong musical and artistic background and was regularly exposed to a variety of music genres including jazz, soul and classical music, ballet, and fine arts. Being a professional musician/composer, my dad has consistently encouraged me to explore new musical horizons and instilled in me the value of having an open mind, being resilient, and radically embracing the course of things.
I started learning the piano when I was 5 years old; however, due to various circumstances, I took a prolonged break from playing. Nonetheless, music has consistently held immense importance in my life, manifesting itself in different ways. When I turned 19, I made the pivotal choice to embark on a professional journey as a musician.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Violet Greens”?
A: Currently, my main focus is on releasing singles, with the next one titled “F_in the Rain” set to be released on July 6th. Alongside this, I have plans to release an album as part of an upcoming tour. As a live performing artist, playing gigs is where I think you connect with your audience the most. Therefore, the primary “objective” is to play as many live shows as possible.
I leave it up to the audience to decide which message or association they want to take away from my music. I usually want to leave room for interpretation, but of course I hope it has a positive impact.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Mean question, hah! There are just too many. I always say that asking artists for their top inspirations is like asking a mother her favorite child.
All of our actions, our upbringing, the way we were conditioned and every interaction or interpersonal relationship has an impact on how we perceive the world. So I draw my inspiration upon different realms. Apart from music, it could be an interesting conversation with a stranger or a thought-provoking quote from a book up to an association triggered by a particular scent.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Fallin.”?
A: During the process of writing “Fallin’,” I found myself engulfed in my own spiralling and paralyzing thoughts which resulted in detachment and isolation. The song tells the story of a conflicted and troubled individual who feels overwhelmed by a fast-paced and duplicitous society, ultimately becoming lost within the intricate maze of life’s obstacles.
I wrote the song about 2 years ago, put it on the shelf and completely forgot about it, until I found a voice memo on my phone and decided to finish it.
Last summer, my drummer introduced me to the artistry of Slim Guerilla. We were having a barbecue when one of Slim’s tracks came on Spotify. I was instantly hooked and initially thought he was an old school artist from the 90s. I followed Slim on Instagram, mustered up all my courage and asked him if he was up for a feature.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: embracing
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Fallin”?
A: Because of my limited financial resources, I opted to record at my saxophonist’s home studio, which, unfortunately, lacks the space to accommodate a large ensemble. Consequently, we were only able to record smaller groups individually. To streamline the process, I created a demo and prearranged the horn section, making the recording phase more manageable. My saxophonist took charge of all the mixing and editing tasks.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I know it sounds cheesy, but I hold a strong conviction that music and art have the ability to grant us a moment of peace. In a society characterized by its fast pace and overwhelming rapid technological developments, there’s only little space for introspection and contemplation. I believe that immersing ourselves in music or engaging with any form of art compels us to pause, serving as a gentle reminder of our humanness. I hope that listening to my music bestows a moment of peace and empowers people to just be themselves.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Once again, the possibilities are endless! I’d love to collaborate with George Benson, as he has been my childhood hero. Additionally, working with Billie Holiday would be a dream come true, as she has been one of my most significant musical inspirations. Of course, I would also love to collaborate with Nas, Erykah Badu, and many others. The list goes on!
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: By making the choice to follow a professional path as a musician, you essentially embark on a turbulent journey through the highs and lows of emotions, much like piloting an aircraft through a storm. This can be extremely nerve-wrecking and tiring since it’s basically impossible to separate the art from the artist, ultimately leading to constant self-reflection and questioning everything you do as a musician. I think it’s crucial to learn how to accept and embrace the ups and downs as an integral part of the artistic process and personal growth.
Don’t be discouraged by mistakes and failure, although sometimes it seems like an endless uphill battle.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Be patient with yourself and kind to people, especially to those who love and support you and stop comparing your progress and process to anyone else’s.
Don’t allow external opinions to dictate how you should live your life. Each one of us has a distinct past, different backgrounds, resources, and abilities that make us unique. It is important to stay true to your own pace and principles. Trust your instincts, and avoid being consumed by the deceptive and harsh nature of social media.
