AVA KING: INTERVIEW


by martina rexrode

photo by serena dong

With the holiday season in full swing, electro-pop artist Ava King is here to offer a different perspective. Her latest single “Worst In Me” is just one fiery, unapologetically honest taste of what’s to come from her debut album SEX MONEY GOD set to release next year. King is on track to becoming a breakout star in the ever-expanding world of badass women who not only perform their music but also write, produce, and hold incredible creative control.

Congratulations on the release of your new single! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “Worst In Me”?

Ava: “At the time I wrote it, ‘Worst In Me’ was inspired by a friendship gone sour. I couldn’t honestly say the other person was a bad person, out in their lives they were even a great person, I can’t say I’m 100% a bad person either, it’s just that when we were together we would become quite awful people. It’s my meditation on a situation where two people hate each other, but it’s honestly no one’s fault.”

Since it’s described as an “anti-holiday single,” were there any specific aspects of holiday songs that you wanted to push against?

Ava: “Not specifically push against holiday songs in particular, I understand that for most people the holidays are filled with family and wonderful memories. I just don’t see any other reality around the holidays depicted though, it’s all just total happiness, but what about the reality in which family relationships are tense or dysfunctional? What about the reality in which the holidays are more draining and slightly traumatic than warm and fuzzy?”

What is your favorite lyric in “Worst In Me”?

Ava: “‘There ain’t nothing wrong with us, as long as we take separate planes.’”

This single was written and produced in your living room which is nothing short of impressive. How long have you been producing?

Ava: “Thank you for your kind words! I’ve been producing for about seven years. There’s still so much more to learn, it’s endless and also very exciting.”

Which part of the creative process do you enjoy the most when making a song?

Ava: “Ohhhhhh, I do actually love the initial phase of just writing a song, getting down the barebones skeleton really fast, that’s really exciting for me.”

What kind of themes can listeners expect from your upcoming debut album, SEX MONEY GOD, out early next year?

Ava: “What a great question, wow, so many themes, but I would say the main ones are about seeking validation outside of ourselves, trying to fit in unsuccessfully. There’s a song called ‘Let’s Make a Porn’ in which the character tries to imitate porn actresses in bed in order to win over the man she’s dating, but it just ends up making her feel alienated from herself and him. The album is about how we lose ourselves when we look for toxic forms of love.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share or hint at to our readers?

Ava: “Yes! I’m currently creating a comedy/musical around the album SEX MONEY GOD which further explores its topics, and I welcome everyone in LA to come see the show (current date is February 5th 2024!)”

 

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RICKY MONTGOMERY: INTERVIEW


by mariah estran

photo by haley appell

In 2021, Ricky Montgomery told himself it was time to make an album. He describes standing in the mirror and realizing he needed to take this moment to do so.

After gaining momentum on TikTok — racking up 8 billion views — he knew that while the perfect stage was set, there was the opportunity to unpack his ideas through a new album. By the fall of 2023, his well-devoted listeners received Rick.

Working alongside Dan Wilson, Tommy English, and Jeremy Hatcher, the album dives into those ups and downs life brings while still finding light in it all. It’s a soul-searching project that unveils his vulnerability and continued talent for creating alt-pop gems.

Ricky Montgomery took a moment to tell us about his new album Rick — elaborating on how this project helped his growth, working with Grammy-winning producers, being on TikTok, and what we can expect from the upcoming tour.

You’ve just released your new album, Rick. How does this project represent you as an artist?

Ricky:Rick is a lot of things for me as an artist: a reply to my first album, a love letter to the sound and style of writing that brought me fans in the first place, and an homage to the factors in my life that led me to a career in art. Most of all, though, it was the best project I could have made under the circumstances that brought it into production (a TikTok moment in 2020). For better or worse, it’s who Ricky Montgomery is today.”

The album was a collaborative effort — from producers to other mentors. How did working with others help you hone in on what you wanted this album to sound and feel like?

Ricky:Montgomery Ricky, my first album, was a collaboration in that way as well, so it didn’t feel much different making this album. But I had never worked with people as acclaimed or experienced before. It allowed me to really test my own limits as an artist and see how far I could take the concepts I was working with without losing the sonic consistency of the project as a whole or alienating the audience who was so hungry for a sound I had long retired. By the end of production, I learned that I was better off not ‘planning’ anything at all but submitting myself to the process of creation — and trusting that that was the best path to success (both commercial and otherwise).”

It’s been seven years since your previous album. How does this collection of songs showcase your growth?

Ricky: “What’s funny about that detail is that only a few songs on the record are actually old. I did have a few songs I was preparing to put onto an album — ‘Talk To You,’ ‘Sorry For Me,’ etc. — but I needed new material so badly that I needed to release them as singles while I bought myself time to ‘properly work on an album.’ Because of that, most of the songs on the record weren’t actually started until 2021 (and they were finished well before they were released). Essentially, the process of this album could be boiled down to me looking in a mirror in the middle of 2021 and saying, ‘Make an album right now from scratch with some big-time producers’ — and then releasing a 14-track body of work two years later. I had no idea who ‘Ricky Montgomery’ was as a solo artist until the album came out in September. Rick is an album about catching up. Now that I’ve done that, I can’t wait to get back into the studio and make music that feels as realized as Rick has allowed me to feel.”

Rick dives into this vulnerability while incorporating those charming alt-pop sounds. You talk about life, its twists, and turns. One of those moments that stands out is “Black Fins.” Why was now the right time to express these stories?

Ricky: “I got into music because I needed an outlet and an escape from what was happening in my home. To be honest, I didn’t know that people did music until I came back to LA as an adult. I made ‘Black Fins’ when I did because I didn’t know how much longer I would be on a major label or have an audience. If not now, then when? I just didn’t have an interest in doing anything else. It felt fresh and important. Certainly more important than making pop music.”

Of course, we must mention the massive amount of love you get on TikTok. How has it been seeing so many fans respond to your music?

Ricky: “The honor of a lifetime, and a privilege that I take very seriously.”

You have recently announced a North American headlining tour. What can fans expect when they attend an upcoming show?

Ricky: “I’m legitimately trying to develop one of the most exciting and interesting live shows in the music industry right now. We’ll see how close I get with this next run.”

 

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ELIJAH WOODS: INTERVIEW


by sara welden

With each new release, elijah woods showcases his versatility as an artist and his ability to produce an authentic and distinct sound. With his vivid and earnest lyricism, elijah has quickly been capturing the attention of listeners all over the world and continues to do so with his newest single “last girl” (feat. MacKenzie Porter). After just wrapping up a sold out tour across Canada this fall, elijah took the time to chat with us about all things music. Read more about him below!

You released the track “last girl” as part of your bright orange everglow EP, and you're now releasing an alternative version that features MacKenzie Porter. What was that collaborative process like and how did it initially come about? Did you always want this song to become a duet?

elijah: “As soon as we wrote ‘last girl’ I knew I wanted it to be a duet. I first discovered MacKenzie through some mutual friends and I absolutely loved her voice and songwriting. She was in Nashville at the time, so the collaboration happened virtually, but as soon as she sent through a rough version I knew she would be perfect for the song.”

In addition to being both a pop artist and a singer/songwriter, you are also a producer and recording engineer. How has being knowledgeable in those areas influenced you as an artist and the music that you make?

elijah: “I think having a broader tool set helps me express my ideas more clearly when it comes to my project. I do think it’s kind of a double edged sword though. Because I can record myself and make it sound ‘commercially presentable,’ sometimes it’s misleading to know if the song is actually good, or if the elements of the song are just well produced/recorded. Lately I try to just rely on feel rather than sonic perfection.”

There is such a uniquely distinctive sound to your music and production, so how did you go about establishing that? Has it evolved over time?

elijah: “I think it’s always evolving. Something I heard recently that resonated was that it’s not what genre or style of music you make that defines you, it’s the way you come across in your music that matters. For me, music has always been a direct expression of what’s going on in my present life, so it naturally shifts and changes as I do. My end goal with every song or project is simply to be as honest and vulnerable as I can.”

You’ve just wrapped up your first, sold out Canadian tour this fall which is huge! What was that experience like, and is there a favorite memory you have from being on the road?

elijah: “Thank you, it was definitely a special experience. I still can’t believe people would take time out of their busy lives to come hear me sing songs, but I’m so thankful they do. I think the biggest takeaway from this tour was that even my songs that haven’t streamed as well still find their audience. It gave me some level of creative permission in a way.”

Who are some of the artists that inspire you today, or have inspired you in the past? Are there certain aspects of their music that you find yourself drawn to?

elijah: “Troye Sivan, Kacey Musgraves, JVKE, Taylor Swift. I think overall what inspires me the most is the willingness to try something and stick by it.” 

As a highly sought-after collaborator, are there any artists that you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

elijah: “Taylor Swift, I think my fiancée would have a heart attack out of excitement.”

Does your latest project bright orange everglow set the tone for what’s in store next for you, or hint at future creative choices?

elijah: “I think it’s a good reference for the level of intentional songwriting, but outside of that, I’m very open to new horizons. The songs are what matter to me, not how they’re packaged. I could make a dance project, or a country EP, doesn’t matter to me. As long as the songs get the best light then I feel accomplished.”

 

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SELIN: INTERVIEW


by kaleigh gieraltowski

photo courtesy of selin

Cunning and whimsical single “LIGHTS OFF” has recently been released by on the rise Turkish pop star Selin. This song sets off a mystical and emotional rollercoaster that glides you through Selin’s strenuous love story. The singer expands into unique horizons with her upcoming album PARANOIA by dipping into an assortment of genres and experimenting with new sounds. As Selin is finishing off her tour in the US, we can expect lots more exciting music to be coming our way. We had the pleasure of speaking with her about all things music, songwriting, and touring that you can read about now!

In your single “LIGHTS OFF,” the lyrics encapsulate the story of a breaking relationship and the struggle to put those pieces back together. When writing this song did you pull more personal experiences into the lyrics or are they more generally speaking?

Selin: “I tend to put as much of myself into a song as possible. Sometimes for the sake of the story I'll add other details, but most of the time I tend to keep it as real as I can. Just because I find it adds to the emotional output when I'm performing it live.

It almost feels like I'm telling a story to my friends in the crowd, and the more real the story is to me, the more I can convey the emotion to the outside world.”

What was the title inspiration for your upcoming album, PARANOIA?

Selin: “I'll be honest, I change my mind about things every day just because my creative process changes. One day I'll decide on something but then the week after, I'll think about a totally different angle to approach it from, which is a good and a bad habit, I guess.

I went with ‘PARANOIA’ because the past year has been an emotional rollercoaster in terms of internal emotions. I guess I could say I get into my head a lot and people get into my head a lot and I allow myself to be affected greatly by these external factors. So I chose to write music about these paranoid thoughts one gets when left alone with themselves. So let's see, I might go with this title, but I might also change it — it'll be a surprise for us all! [laughs]”

How do you think listeners will receive your sound as their first time seeing you live on your US tour? How do you hope your message is portrayed?

Selin: “The tour has so far been one of the best things ever. I think there are definitely people who already knew my sound, knew my music and kind of knew what to expect. Equally there were some people in the crowd that didn't know my music and didn't know what to expect. Since I'm now almost done with the tour, I can confidently say that it's been a very good run and I hope that I have perhaps touched some people with my music.

I wouldn't say I have a specific message to give on stage when I go on, it's more of an experience. I’d like to think that people can take away whatever they want from the live shows. Let’s say they're in a bad mood and that's what's gonna make them feel better, then I feel like I've accomplished something. If they're looking for some inspiration, then perhaps they can find something in one of my songs, then I'll also feel accomplished.”

What do you think PARANOIA will bring to the table that is different from your past work?

Selin: “Definitely way more honesty, with myself and with others. Less filtered writing.”

Do you have a musical or creative inspiration that you think helped sculpt your new album?

Selin: “I listen to as many different types of music as possible to inspire my process and direction. There’s definitely a lot of music that inspired me, but I would love to say that RAYE’s album My 21st Century Blues has definitely inspired me in terms of breaking the barrier of multi genre albums.

I feel like sometimes I get so caught up trying to make everything have one specific theme that I forget to just let myself go completely with the music. So after listening to her album, it made me realize she's put all sorts of pieces into the record. I think that's quite beautiful because it's almost like our thoughts and our internal feelings, they will never be the same theme. They’re gonna be different and most probably chaotic. So to have an album with different genres in different topics, but under the same roof is definitely what I want to do. And it's what I'm working on currently. I think that's the beauty of art, it’s how well we can play with the rules (if there are any), but almost shifting them for our own liking.”

What are you most looking forward to on tour? Do you have any specific locations that stand out to you?

Selin: “So far Austin would have to be one of my favorites! Show wise but also just the music scene! I've got a couple pairs of authentic Texan boots and definitely tried some line dancing! [laughs]”

Your style of music and songwriting is magnificent and puts an intriguing spin on pop music. Have you always aimed for this sound? Or would you ever consider expanding into different genres? If so, which ones would you experiment with?

Selin: “I'm not sure if I would say I have a specific sound, but I definitely play with elements of pop and rock and try to throw in some soul when I can. But as I mentioned before, depending on my mood, the season or the emotional era I am in, the sound will always be reflected on that! I’d love to explore the jazz world a little more, and perhaps at some point go a little more heavy on the rock blues side too! There’s so much to do!”

Lastly, what else should we be on the lookout for when it comes to new music by Selin? Any exciting music videos or collaborations you can tell us about?

Selin: “Definitely some new music and hopefully some collaborations for you to find out about soon!”

 

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JULES IS DEAD: INTERVIEW


by kaleigh gieraltowski

photo courtesy of jules is dead

Bright and spunky uprising emo rockstar JULES IS DEAD has recently taken the industry by storm with their newest single “My Own Hell.” From a very young age the singer and songwriter has gravitated towards the exuberant culture and excitement of the infamous emo and scene culture. JULES IS DEAD excels with powerhouse vocals and an even cooler take on fashion that is a huge element to their overall sentiment in the upcoming world of rock. They are currently working on even more music and expanding into some future touring that you will definitely not want to miss. We had the pleasure of talking with them and you can read all about it below!

I can see that you had a desire to create music at a young age. What first inspired you to learn how to play the piano, and what eventually motivated you to move onto the guitar at 14?

JULES IS DEAD: “My parents put me into piano lessons when I was very young, and I grew up playing it. I stopped lessons when I was 12. Then the first COVID lockdown hit when I was 14, and I remembered my dad used to play the video game Rock Band. So, I asked if we could bring it up from the basement. Rock Band introduced me to AFI, Fall Out Boy, and Paramore, who are now bands that mean the world to me. I was getting really good at the Rock Band guitar, so I decided to switch to a real one and try it out.”

Your newest single “My Own Hell” talks about being powerful and courageous even when you are feeling doubtful of yourself. Do you use songwriting as a way to cope and express your emotions when you feel this way?

JULES IS DEAD: “Yes, it’s definitely been a great coping mechanism for me, and being able to share how I feel and hopefully help others through the same things.”

When it comes time to tour, what kind of message do you want to spread to audiences that come to hear you perform live?

JULES IS DEAD: “I am so excited to perform live! Shows are where I feel at home, and I can't wait to be on stage. I want everyone who'd come out to see me to feel the same way. I'd hope everyone felt safe and like they could be friends with whoever's next to them. I've met some of the people I'm closest to at shows, and I hope that could happen at my shows too.”

Your charisma and talent is very impressive for being only 17 years old. How do you balance the everyday challenges of growing up and working as an artist at the same time?

JULES IS DEAD: “Honestly, sometimes it can be a bit tough, but making music means so much to me that I always find a way to balance it all. I'm pretty much just super busy all the time between writing and recording trips, school, shows, and seeing my friends.”

What advice would you give to other young individuals looking to start their own music career?

JULES IS DEAD: “I'd say to always remember what it's like to be a fan and to stay true to yourself and the sound you want as an artist. You have the ability to put your most vulnerable self in front of the world, so make sure it's the real you.”

You have a distinct style that is beautiful and eye-catching and goes perfectly with your ambience and style of music. Do you think that fashion is another way you express yourself besides creating music?

JULES IS DEAD: “Yes, definitely. I take a lot of inspiration for my look and my music from 2000s emo and scene culture. Dressing the way I dress is a way of showing what's playing in my headphones to everyone around me.”

Where did you draw the inspiration for the “My Own Hell” music video and the way it was executed?

JULES IS DEAD: “The ‘My Own Hell’ video was inspired by the music videos and visuals from the albums and movies I love. The whole video has this blue tinge that was very Evanescence inspired, and the scenes with the candles are a bit of a nod to The Craft, which is one of my favorite films of all time.”

What else do we have to look forward to in the world of JULES IS DEAD?

JULES IS DEAD: “There'll be a new single very soon, which I'm so, so, so excited for, and hopefully, before the year's out, there will be a couple of shows as well.”

 

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