rockyourlyricsHow do you usually write the lyrics of your songs?
I usually have different phrases and words pop into my head at weird times and I keep a log of these in my phone’s notes. When I’m writing a song, I’ll often look through these and free write in my journal (yes, I’m still analog). Looking at these words on paper really helps me start to wrap my head around a concept.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing in songwriting?
I think expressing yourself in a way that is honest and relatable is so important. I like to really push the envelope and try to come up with ideas that are fresh, which of course is an ongoing battle. But I think honesty and vulnerability is the most important.
Are you ever scared of revealing aspects of your personal life/experience to strangers through your music?
Absolutely! I always worry that I’m sharing too much of myself through my lyrics. It’s easier to admit things in lyrics and I often worry about revealing these details once the song is released. But I think that is what draws people to music. I want listeners to be able to connect with me on a personal level.
What is the best lyric that you ever wrote (the most meaningful for you)?
The lyrics to my song “For Whom They Sing” (off the eponymous album) are some of my best. I took inspiration from the Apache Native American tradition of having a medicine man pray over a sick person (“the one for whom they sing”). I deal with some chronic health issues so I used this imagery to express how I was feeling. I think it’s my rawest and most meaningful song.
What inspired “Leave You Lonely”, part of your EP “A Little Intimate”?
I wrote this song with writer/producer Anna Schulze last summer. We both come from a synch licensing background so we originally intended the song to have a lot of cinematic imagery for television. It quickly became clear that this would be a song for my artist project since it was so emotional for me. We used these lyrics that I had jotted down on my phone a month earlier—“it’s a little intimate, I’m a little into it”—as a jumping off point. It took us a full day and about three snack breaks, but we ended up with this beautiful song. I think it’s the best song I’ve written to date.
Do you remember the day you wrote “It Felt Good”?
“It Felt Good” was written over the course of about 6 months. I originally sang the melody for the verse and chorus into a voice note, and the only lyric I was sure about was the “it felt good” hook. I sent this to co-writer/producer Jason Boule and he built the track and we worked on it in person about a month later. It took a few re-writes with both Jason and co-writer P.J. Pacifico, but we finally finished up the song about 5 months after that. So this song took time to write, but I think it was worth it.
Is there a link/a common theme among the songs of the new EP?
These songs were some of the first products of co-writing. I wrote my last EP and album almost entirely on my own. A few years ago, I started working with my mentor and friend P.J. Pacifico and he really taught me a lot about co-writing. So this album was born through collaboration with P.J., as well as Jason Boule (who wrote/produced 4/5 of the songs on the EP).
What is the best suggestion your producer gave you?
I worked with producer Jason Boule on 4 of the songs and Anna Schulze on the 5th. They both have different styles and influences and I learned a lot from both of them. I think the best advice Jason gave me was to incorporate some song math into my writing. It brought my songwriting to the next level.
What are your plans for 2019?
I just signed a licensing deal with Sweets & Pop and am continuing to write songs for myself and other artists. I’m hoping to continue releasing new music on a more regular basis. And I’m planning on getting back into performing in Los Angeles.
To conclude the interview a short Q/A session, please answer the first thing that comes to your mind:
- Define in one word your EP “A little intimate”: Vulnerable.
- The best show you ever played: Opening for Lisa Loeb!
- The one thing that you must have in your backstage: Snacks.
- The soundtrack of your childhood: Disney movies and Britney Spears.
- Your favourite song lyrically speaking, but not written by you: “Adore” by Amy Shark.
- Last question is “unusual”, we want to know your best relationship advice: Think about who really deserves you.
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