At only 18, Scarlett Gee is a rising talent in the music scene, recognized for her hauntingly beautiful voice and thought-provoking lyrics. Growing up in a charming, historic town in New South Wales, Australia, she has come up in relative seclusion from current trends and outlooks, developing an original -or perhaps a more “traditional” sense of artistry than many of her contemporaries.
Her latest single, “Ghosts,” is a captivating pop track that explores the struggle of letting go of a past love, even as that love has moved on. With haunting melodies and poignant lyrics, the song beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions of nostalgia and longing. “Ghosts” invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love and loss, prompting them to ponder what it truly means to be a “ghost” in someone else’s life.
In this interview, we delve into Scarlett Gee’s artistic journey, her creative process, and the promising future that lies ahead as she continues to carve her own niche in the music world. Join us as we explore the mind of an artist who embraces her individuality and invites listeners into her enchanting musical realm.
Coming from a small historical town in New South Wales, Australia, you’ve managed to make your own path as an artist. How do you think your origins have influenced your style and originality?
Coming from a small town, I have managed to develop resilience and find opportunities for myself that may be easier to come across in a larger city. My family life is a balance of managed chaos. We have a family business that operates 7 days a week that I have always been around, balanced by living out of town on property. I have been lucky enough to travel to different parts of the world but always come home to the country. It is where I feel most grounded. I think the biggest influence has been knowing who I am and where I come from. This encourages me to be firm with my choices and be willing to feel comfortable with who I am.
You are very young, but it hasn’t been an impediment for you to have a successful career as a singer. As an 18-year-old female artist, how have you managed to overcome the challenges of the music industry and the difficulties of becoming an adult?
A lot of this is about balance, which is hard. Trying to balance school, social life and my music opportunities is always a challenge, however, so far, my experiences in the industry have been really positive. I’ve been very lucky to have the opportunity to work with incredible and very supportive people. Kyle Emerson Brown from Mars ITN (Mars records) who I have been working with since I was 15, has genuine belief in me and that has been a game changer. He has built a team of people for me and assisted me with opportunities that I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.
Congratulations on your latest single, “Ghosts.” It is beautiful. Talking about the title itself, what do these ‘ghosts’ represent to you personally?
The title, Ghosts, represents the memories of the past, both good and bad, but for me, they also represent being left behind. Parts of yourself or your life that you can no longer have because other people left you to stay where you are while they moved on.
“Ghosts” seems to carry emotional weight. Can you share the backstory or any personal experiences that influenced the song?
Ghosts is about heartbreak. Someone moving on without me, making the choice on their own, and then all I had of that person was their ghost. Feeling their energy without them being here. They move on, I stay. It was a tough time.
How do you hope listeners will connect with “Ghosts”? Is there a particular message or feeling you want them to take away?
My hope for this song is not necessarily to make people feel a certain way, but more so to just allowing people to feel. I don’t want people to feel bad when they hear it, I just want people to have the opportunity to connect. That is always what I want from my music. I use it myself as a way to express my emotions and work through my feelings, and I hope I can allow someone else to do the same.
You are an experienced artist at this point. You started writing alone in your bedroom, and now you write songs that many will listen to. Could you tell us about your writing process? Has it changed with time?
Yes, it has changed. Originally, I would write songs that were just lyrics, and then I would create a melody around that. Then I progressed and started writing chords for the piano. Since working with experienced producers, I now write tracks. The actual writing process usually starts with one idea, a line, or a thought that pops into my head, and I then create a story around it. Sometimes this is about my own emotions, or it can also be listening to someone else tell me about something they are going through.
As a young artist, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring artists who want to stay true to themselves but find it so difficult in a world of trends and algorithms?
Don’t be afraid to say no when people are suggesting something that doesn’t resonate with you. Give honest feedback and make sure your ideas, morals and beliefs are known by the people you are working with. For example, any time I meet a producer, I start by telling them who I am as a person, and an artist, and what my comfort zone is. That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to push my comfort zone, but my core values must remain intact.
Finally, how does your future look for you? Any exciting projects or collaborations we should look out for?
Absolutely. I have a new single in production that should be out within the coming months, with more on the way. For me, it is about continually producing songs that I am passionate about and finding people who share my vision. I have a goal of walking the ARIA red carpet in November and next year when school is done, I will be focusing full-time on my music. Creating an EP and taking my music to the world
