How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Indiepop, with catchy melodies that get stuck in your head for all the right reasons. I’m an artist who is trying to express something real to people. There’s no fluff here. I’m putting out music and telling stories that I believe in.
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing songs?
Anyone and everything really. My music is really emotionally driven, so anything that makes me feel something, even if it happened 10 years ago, is fair game.
Is it hard to be a solo artist? Or is there someone you use to bounce ideas off of?
It’s definitely difficult, and also rewarding. I don’t do it all alone though. I think it’s so important for any solo artist to have at least one other person on their team. It can be a tricky industry to navigate, and I definitely second guess myself sometimes. For me that person is my partner Paul, who co-produced the EP with me and plays in my live band. He’s involved in everything from conception through to release.
Do you sometimes feel exposed when on stage alone singing about things that are personal to you?
Yes, but I think that makes for better performances. I can’t distance myself from the material just because I’m afraid of what someone watching might think. Making art requires you to be vulnerable. The more I genuinely feel it, the more I know the audience will too.
Where did the idea to film a stream of music videos for your EP come from?
I released the EP at the end of 2015 and didn’t have all that much going on at the time. It’s like I was hibernating before releasing it and then I just put it out before anyone even know I was around. I have so much new music I’m preparing to put out, but I wanted to give the EP a chance to live a little, you know? Video is the only real way to do that now. If you want people to hear something, it can’t just be an audio track.
Why was ‘I Lied’ chosen as your first release?
While I Lied isn’t the most upbeat song on the EP it’s the song that’s generated the most intense reactions. You’d be surprised how much direct feedback people will give you when you release music, and how much of their personal life they’re willing to share with you! I Lied is a song that I know has really resonated with some people, so I wanted it to be the first one to get to the ears of even more people.
What is your ultimate goal as a musician?
To make music that I’m proud of that can reach people and connect with them. To inspire people and give them all sorts of feelings in just a few minutes of a song.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Releasing the End Of The World EP. Just that act of completing it was a highlight. It was the culmination of years of song writing before I was able to write those songs, and years of making music before those arrangements could even be possible. It was nice to just take a moment to be proud of that work.
Do you have a before live performance routine?
Other than not drinking any alcohol and trying not to speak too loudly for extended periods of time, not really.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I think I always wanted to do something that involved writing. I’m kind of obsessed with television, and fascinated in anything dealing with the writer’s room, so maybe I’d try to make my way into an equally difficult industry.
If you were going to be a Simpson’s character who would you be?
Are you going to take down this interview if I admit that I have no idea because I’ve rarely watched it?
What’s the worst piece of life advice you have ever received?
You should go on The Voice!
