Could you share the story behind your latest song and what inspired its creation?
My latest single, I Hate Goodbyes, is the lead track off my new album, 64 Magic Queens. The album tells the story of a long distance relationship and the trials and tribulations that come with it – but the single, I Hate Goodbyes, was written in that hopeful early stage when you’re falling in love and you think you can do anything.
How do you approach the process of songwriting, and are there any specific themes or emotions you tend to explore in your music?
I tend to write about people and relationships, and the depression and anxiety that comes with the world we live in. My songs pull from my own life, and the lives of the people I encounter in my life, whether fleeting or long-term. I am just trying to put the puzzle pieces together of our minds and thoughts and emotions.
As an indie musician, how do you navigate the balance between creative freedom and commercial appeal?
I’ve never really had enough commercial success to know what commercial appeal really truly means. I write what comes out, whether it is appealing or not is not up to me. It is, however, very important to me that people like the music – otherwise what’s the point? For me, without an audience my art doesn’t really get to breathe and exist. It needs to touch people for me – it’s not enough to just make it – someone needs to receive it. It’s more of an exchange than a release.
What do you find most challenging about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
The thing I find challenging is building a team. I would love to have a great team around me, people to work with me on more of the business aspects so I can focus on being a better artist and performer.
Can you talk about your experiences collaborating with other artists or musicians? How does it influence your creative process?
I love writing with other people, but I don’t often do it. It’s fun because everyone has a different approach, different method. It’s like taking a trip into someone else’s brain. I love working with other players and producers in arranging songs too – it’s just so nice to have another perspective – and it’s important to have someone with some objectivity come into the picture. I love that you don’t know what you’re going to get until it’s done.
What role does technology and social media play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
Its role is like 150% of the thing. Emails for bookings, social media promo, sales, outreach, fan-interactions, you name it. Sometimes I fantasize about the internet dying and we all just go back to writing letters and making phone calls and leaving screens out of our lives… but until that happens, you can find me out there doin’ it for the gram.
Are there any particular artists or genres that have had a significant impact on your musical style?
It’s really hard to narrow that list down, and it changes over the years, but yes, a ton of artists, many genres, so many influences. This album really takes me back to some of my favorite artists over the years: Sloan, Jenny Lewis, Butch Walker, Chuck Prophet, Elvis Costello, Sharon Van Etten, Fruitbats – not saying it exactly sounds like any of these people, just that I was listening to them, feeling their vibe and making what we made.
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?
It’s really hard to tell if it’s working or not, you know? I just try to have fun and make it fun. At a certain point, I was looking at social media and how artists (myself included) interact online with their fans, and I just hated it – It feels gross to always be asking everyone to look at your stuff. So I decided to change my approach and just try to have fun, be silly, engage with other people when they’re funny and silly. I really just want to spend as much of my life laughing and making people laugh as I possibly can. It’s not easy to do, but that’s what I’m striving for.
Could you describe a memorable live performance experience or tour that has had a lasting impact on you and your music?
Another hard thing to narrow down because I’ve been touring for a pretty long time now. But just last week I played my hometown of Toronto and to me, it just felt like one of the best shows of my life. It was just one of those nights where I felt the magic from the audience, from my bandmates, the room, the tech, the bartenders, everyone. We had a blast, we were all together, connected to the crowd, it just felt like how it’s supposed to feel.
In an era of streaming platforms, how do you feel about the changing landscape of music consumption and its impact on independent musicians?
It has its ups and downs. Obviously it would be great if it all paid better, but it’s great that you can get your music out on multiple platforms so easily. The music industry has been changing since I got into it, and I imagine it will keep changing with the seasons. I’m just gonna keep rollin’ with it.