Photo Credit: cloudyytots
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
Hi! This project means a lot to me. I spent about a year writing these songs before recording them all in Toronto last summer. I think the biggest contributing factor to why the project took the shape it did was solitude. I felt a huge shift in my life and had so much time to reflect on everything on my own. When I was in Toronto I would get back from the studio every night, pace around my kitchen relistening to what we created that day and then writing more.
What is the favorite song you wrote and why?
I would say “Residing in the Sky”. Just because it was tied to a really big moment for me. The lyrics in “Residing in the Sky” touch on a breakthrough moment of the self, it means a lot to me for that reason.
Who are your all time musical icons?
All time icons! I would say Chet Baker, Labi Siffre, Norah Jones. Present day I would have to say James Blake just because I saw him live the other day and can’t stop replaying it in my mind.
What are some things to do to keep your inspiration alive?
Take more time alone. Also to push through moments of feeling like I have nothing to say or write and just sitting down on the guitar or piano. Driving really helps too, a long drive just singing melodies to myself can spark something too.
Who are you binge listening to these days?
Definitely James Blake. Can’t get over the show still. Dove back into Phantogram the other day too.
Favorite movie or TV show?
Movies are definitely Sunset Boulevard and Chicken Run. (People don’t like that contrast) TV shows change often, I started watching Scenes from a Marriage which is incredibly done.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
For “When I Leave,” I wanted it to be really simple and powerful. It’s an internal dialogue about wanting someone but never finding the words to say it. At first it blames the counterpart of the relationship saying “I kinda hate it when you leave, but I’m not one to say I need you” but then concludes that I was the one pushing this person away and not speaking up. “I fucking hate it when I leave”. It’s realizing that words that go unsaid don’t change anything.
Do you have any peculiar pre or post show rituals?
I just started playing again! Can’t pin a certain ritual quite yet but I do like to be surrounded by friends, takes the edge off and makes me feel like I’m just performing for them.
What’s the future looking like for you?
Couldn’t tell you. All I know is I’m going to continue to write and create & and take everything in as I go. I don’t want to miss anything. It’s a long journey, my only hope is that people find something in my writing, I want them to feel safe.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
I definitely wear a lot of black. I love big jackets so LA is ruining that for me. I don’t have a particular icon in style. I just wear and do what feels right for me. Half of my family is British and I spent about half a year in London a few years back. I feel like I took a lot of inspiration from that as well.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
I think just recording this project in a matter of months. When I sent it to friends and others I think people really picked up on what I was doing. Although it’s always changing I love having this as my first project out in the world.
What do you think is the best way to make it as an artist nowadays?
I don’t think anyone really knows. There isn’t a formula, just people putting everything into something they’re passionate about & hoping people get something out of it.
What would you change in the music and entertainment industry especially after this past year?
I feel it’s not my place to say. The shift in the industry works for some and not for others. I can’t predict or change what will catch on and why. You just don’t know what people need to hear at that moment so you put out what you feel you need to make and hope it finds a home outside of yourself.
