What inspired you to write “I Don’t Talk To Boys That Make Me Cry”?
I had a slow burning toxic relationship that I couldn’t seem to escape. He would make me cry, and I would kick myself for staying. Finally, I started telling myself, “I Don’t Talk to Boys That Make Me Cry” and it worked. I finally moved on and realized I deserved better. I wrote this song as a reminder to keep telling myself that, even when I feel like caving back to comfortability. I know people will relate to this message, we all need a good reminder every now and then!
What is your creative process for writing/producing?
I start off with some sort of mental breakdown (helps with the creative process). I come up with melodies and words super quickly, when you’re experiencing something it tends to flow even more. I write all the words and lyrics in like 20 minutes after finding a chord or melody I like. I’m big on the words. I love writing. After that, I feel like I start to hear parts and fill out production. Playing around with different instruments and harmonies. With this first album of songs, we’ve re-recorded several times with myself, a band, and another producer. Songs are always a puzzle with no picture and then at some point it is a perfect fit. That’s definitely the case with this one, it went through a lot of hoops to get to where it is now.
Do you have any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing IDTTBTMMC?
I have been making this song/album for over a year now and we have recorded in multiple states, nice studios, in cars, basements, and over zoom. It really took us redoing the song like 4 times to get it right. We flew out a drummer and then ended up changing the drums back to the sample ones lol.
What is the core message you want fans to receive from the songs of Penny Lame?
I want people to feel a sense of power and confidence within themselves. I want you to feel that uplifting, hyped up, scream happy news at a stranger level of untouchable self worth. No one can knock you down. But even if they do, you can get yourself back up. That’s exactly what this music does for me. Penny Lame is the most confident version of myself, and I hope she makes you feel that way too. We can do anything we want.
Who is an artist or band you look up to these days?
Blondie, Eurythmics, The Runaways, Bikini Kill, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Smash Pumpkins, The Killers, Ramones, Paramore
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
I would say a cross between BLONDIE and Paramore
What does music mean to you?
Survival. Peace. All of my emotions in a safe place. It means everything to me. It’s my sanity.
