Pop singer SJ Talbot just dropped a new single titled “Easy for Me”:  a sleek, passionate, and soulful electronic pop track. It features intelligent songwriting, a mature blend of soul and dance-pop, and an irresistible hook.

Everything about “Easy for Me” marks Talbot as a songwriter who has put thought into her craft, and has prepared for her entrance onto the pop landscape. The Dublin native’s second single depicts the push-and-pull of resisting bad habits, and trying to say no to a worn-out relationship. “Don’t phone me when you’re lonely,” she sings in the chorus. 

Tell us about your latest release and how it came about

I wrote ‘Easy For Me’ during the lockdown while messing around on the piano. I’d had the melody for the chorus on loop in my head for weeks and was just humming it, unable to come up with a concept that truly felt relatable. So I brainstormed and thought about my past relationships and how I’ve stayed in some of them just because it was familiar and convenient for me and the other person.

I wrote the line ‘I hate it when I get like this, so longing for somebody and I can’t resist’ and built the rest of the song around that phrase. Now it’s turned into this really fun, passionate dance track with so many different instrumental elements weaving in and out of the sections. It was such an enjoyable track to make.

How did you get to where you are now?

I began working on my solo artist project back in 2017. Prior to that I was working as a session singer and keys player for a few different bands. I worked with so many writers across various genres, so it was definitely all the collaboration that helped me build my individual sound. 

I was busy writing songs and played at open mic nights for a couple of years to test out my original work with the public. It was in 2019 when I wrote my debut single ‘Envy’ that I felt it was the right time to start digitally releasing my music.

What is the song you wrote you are the most proud of?

I feel like every time I write a new song that I like I call it my favourite! But at the moment I’m working on a song called ‘Broken Records’. It’s about feeling constantly unlucky in love and finding it difficult to let people in due to trust issues.

Who are your all time musical icons?

I would have to say from a singer’s perspective its Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse and Adele. When I was in school I used to spend hours listening to their albums in the kitchen while doing homework and would memorise every lyric and try to mimic their different vocal tones. I always loved the depth and soul in their voices. They have been huge influences on how I deliver my own vocals

What are some things to do to keep your inspiration alive?

If I’m feeling uninspired creatively I turn to watching music documentaries or films about an artist or band. I also find broadening my palette by listening to different styles is healthy for my creativity and can spark inspiration.

Who are you binge listening to these days?

I’ve rediscovered my love for dance music in the last year, and have been loving Swedish artist Agnes’ new music. She ranges from dance pop, EDM, Trance, Disco, the list goes on. I’d highly recommend listening to her for your dancefloor needs! 

Favorite movie or TV show?

At the moment I’m binge watching the series ‘Parks and Recreation’. It has me in tears laughing most of the time and Amy Poehler is iconic in it. Would highly recommend checking it out

What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?

This might sound cliche but I think the best way to make it as an artist is to just be as authentically and unapologetically yourself. With the growth of social media, particularly tiktok, viewers love to see the unfiltered, natural side to creators. I think that if you believe in yourself and what you’re putting out into the world, you will surely begin to see others believing in it too. Let yourself grow, don’t compare yourself to other people and keep doing what you love.

What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?

If I could change the stigma around performers in the music and entertainment industries I would. I think sometimes that creatives aren’t seen as traditional working professionals in society. This year has proven to us all that the arts are so so important, considering most of us turned to books, music and TV for entertainment and comfort through such a difficult time. I think that if we took music as a profession more seriously, then more people would take the plunge and choose it as a career.