Could you share the story behind your latest song and what inspired its creation?
One of my songs, called Surreal, is a song that I absolutely love. It’s off my newest project, Odyssey, which I released in April 2023. It’s a two-part song, the first half being lo-fi R&B influenced with a hyper-pop drill switch for the second half. It’s all about when you see something or someone at first and it feels like a dream, and how it doesn’t seem real and it feels really good, to when it gets absolutely real that it feels surreal. That switch is so important because I think everything in the beginning can seem really good or feel wonderful, and then after a while it switches up and it becomes something you might not have expected.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
I like to take my time when it comes to songwriting. I think a lot of people think it happens very quickly or overnight but often times some songs can take a year+ to write. In terms of my process, most of my songs stem from a beat that a producer made or that I made, and I’ll go from there. I love how many ideas can come from just hearing an instrumentation or an arrangement. In terms of themes or emotions, there are a lot that I like to explore. There’s nothing really off the table for me, sometimes I’ll write a song that has to do with love, trauma, a feeling, or a certain circumstance. I wrote my song ‘Out the Box’ from a friend telling me about a situation they were going through at the time. It’s all situational, and I kind of love that about the process for me.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
I think for me because I’ve been into music and seen what a lot of artists do and go through, I kind of know what it is that people are interested in. I think it’s important to have integrity and stick to your wits about who you are as an artist and what you want to create, but I think it is also very important to be aware of the trends and what’s going on/what people like or don’t like. I love asking my friends about their opinions about songs, outfits, or creative endeavors and usually I’ll take their feedback– I may not necessarily implement it… but I do take it and think about it.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
I feel like streaming has been one of the best and worst things for independent artists in today’s industry. Numbers and streams are so important but also being independent means just that… you’re independent. Budget is one of the things a lot of people don’t take into consideration, along with promotion, content, and material. You have to be a business person and understand that being an artist, especially independent, is an investment and you have to be willing to make certain sacrifices to do so.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I LOVE collaborating with other artists and musicians! I actually made it a point to do more of that for whatever project I end up creating next because I think it really allows you to hear what other people hear and think, and that in turn allows you to make your art even better. I think it’s important to, again, stick to your wits and do what you want to do or what makes you feel good, but at the end of the day, there are so many artists who have a really good ear for music that they can hear so many things you wouldn’t. I’ve collaborated a lot with my friend S!lky Jones, along with other friends such as SHUAH, Mister JT, Janelovesu!, Dank Delish… etc. They all have added something so valuable to my music that I just would not have picked up on, and it only made the music better for me.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
Technology is very important and social media is, especially at this point, a tool. I don’t use it as often as I probably should – mainly because I am such an in-person person (I’ll answer a call and talk on the phone much quicker than if you send me a text… I’m working on it) but it definitely does add to the appeal of an artist. I also like that I can talk to other people and ask their opinions on music and can post a story on my Instagram asking what song is people’s favorite off a project, or what song should I make a video to… etc. It does influence what I would do if I was left to my own instincts but it helps to get other people’s opinions!
Are there any particular artists or genres that have had a significant impact on your musical style?
So many. I often times mention these two but I really really am inspired by Tinashe and Kaytranada. There are many others too that inspire me, Beyoncé, Victoria Monet, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Disclosure, Fergie + The Black Eyed Peas, Jarreau Vandal, Sidibe, Michael Jackson… the list goes on. I’ve also been inspired by the sounds of Tom Misch, Calvin Harris, Mark Ronson, Mac Ayres, George Michael… Giorgio Moroder is also a big influence for me, I think a lot of artists wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for his sound in the late 70s to early 80s. SOPHIE, may she rest in peace, really was an artist who inspired me a ton and I got into PC Music because of her. There’s so many. Pop Smoke, Vetta Borne, Kehlani… I actually have a playlist of music when I’m creating a project to get more inspiration, these people are definitely in all of them. My friends also inspire me too, Izzuly is a very talented R&B singer who I grew up with. My friend Dank Delish makes really great music too. There’s so much more! I am inspired by all types of genres and music, it’s hard for me to choose.
Indie musicians often have a close relationship with their fanbase. How do you engage with your fans and build a dedicated community around your music?
I’ve been leaning into making a lot more content on social media, specifically TikTok. I think that social media is the best way to engage with fans, and it just allows you to be yourself. I think being yourself also brings a lot more engagement and fans to you.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
I did a show at Bowery Electric not too long ago, and it was truly my first headlining show. I had recently done a show at Nublu for my album release and I put that bill together, but afterward to book a show with me as the headliner that I didn’t put together myself was really wonderful. I think that moment was really surreal for me and it really allowed me to get creative with putting on a performance.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
I think this feeds into a lot of what I mentioned earlier, how it’s truly one of the best and worst things for independent musicians. It can give us an outlet to get exposure on all of the platforms but the issue with that too is that everyone is on it. There are pros and cons. A major artist is for sure going to outweigh the landscape than an independent artist, but it also can get you in the room, so to speak. It’s hard to make money on streaming so performing is important, but that’s also hard to do if you don’t have consistent streams. It’s a gamble, and it’s got a lot of potential and it really allows you to be seen and heard by everyone, but it comes at a cost.