1. At what age did you realize that this was your true passion?
At age 19 I realized that music was my true passion and that it was time to take action, so I made the decision to transfer to a music school in LA and move out there from OC (where I was originally getting my Business Degree) in the fall of 2020. Quarantine revealed this new artistic side of me that I had never tapped into before and it gave me the time to fully weigh my options of what career path I really wanted to pursue. I started to think about the big picture and the looming question: “what do I really want to do for the rest of my life?” No matter how hard I thought about the other more “stable” options I still felt the same way. I knew it was time for me to give my dreams a shot and so I went all in.
2. When did you really start pursuing music with laser focus?
At age 20 I became headstrong and my determination kickstarted. I had just moved to LA and I got this second wind of determination. Music turned from a vision to an obsession and the more time that passed, the stronger my motivation to learn grew. A lot of my confidence as a musician comes from the knowledge I gain, as it gave me a sense of security by proving to me that the consistent time and energy I put in was paying off. I started to see results. One of the most fascinating things to me about the music industry is its complexity, and I started to catch on to how interconnected the different facets of the industry are. It was a whole new world to me. It is such a complex business and I continually learn about it to this day. There is never a dull day for me as a musician and that is what keeps me hooked. There is always something new to learn and that idea alone creates this drive in me that continues to burn brighter each day.
3. What advice do you have for someone who is just starting out?
Always stay consistent with your work and don’t get discouraged when you make mistakes. It is all a part of the process. You can create music in so many ways it is just about learning your niche when it comes to writing a song. If you think of a melody, record it in your iphone voice memos, if you think of some lyrics jot them down in your notes, keep a songwriting journal where you can freely write and get ideas down, collab with other local artists, do what excites you the most as a musician with balanced discipline. Also remember to use the internet to your advantage, there are so many resources online that can answer any questions you may have, for example: song structure/songwriting, how to create harmonies, strategies to create melodies, the basics of music theory, vocal exercises, etc. If you have the drive to keep learning and you put in the work, I believe it is only a matter of time until you will start to see the results. The music industry is very complex so there is always something new you can learn about as an artist but don’t let it overwhelm you because everything is interconnected in a way. The only person who can get in the way is yourself.
4. What is your favorite song that you've made?
I would say “Burning” because it represents a turning point for me in my career. I finally felt like I had discovered my sound, like I was perfectly in sync with the energy of the song. I also had a crazy ethereal vision for the music video and it was so amazing that my videographer/editor was able to bring my ideas to life the way I imagined. It has a lot of meaning to me because it was a turning point for me as a singer/songwriter. After Burning, I had a clear direction for my sound and my artist identity became much clearer.
Seeing the practice I put into my songwriting was paying off gave me a new sense of confidence when I went into my next recording sessions. I felt like I could finally get the sound across to my listeners that I was going for.
5. If you could thank one person right now who would it be and why?
It would have to be two people, my parents. They have always stayed my constant through the chaos, and believed in me. It means the world to me that they support and encourage me to follow my dreams. I feel blessed to have a family who wants me to follow my dreams and that embraces me for who I am. I would not be the person I am today if it wasn’t for them and I am so grateful to have them by my side. Also got to thank them for passing down their creative genes lol.
6. Who do you see yourself collaborating with next?
I would love to collaborate with Mothica or Maggie Lindemann. I feel like they are the female pop-rock artists that I could relate to the most. I love their unapologetic, grungy and fierce vibe they have and it would be fun to be able to write with them and see their perspectives in a session. I respect how they stay true to themselves through their writing, they got a cool style. I feel like our music is on a similar vibe but that we all bring a different vocal/writing style to the table which could add a lot of unique depth and edge to a song.
7. What has been your most memorable moment?
One of my most memorable moments was in June of 2022. I had been working the hardest I ever have as a musician starting in September of 2021 and time started to fly as my music started to consume me. Once I finished my music video for Burning in June I had a moment to really start reflecting on my progress and being able to look back on everything I had accomplished in 9 months gave me the proudest feeling. It felt amazing to be able to compare my knowledge from September to June. The knowledge I gained gave me an immense confidence boost and definitely has pointed me in the right direction for my artistry. Seeing the results of my hard work was an immense relief for me. It is one of the most satisfying feelings.
8. If you could go back in time and change one thing what would it be?
I would go back in time and give my past self a confidence boost. It would be cool if I could have shown my past self a glimpse into my life now and how far I’ve come today and be able to say “give yourself a damn break sometimes and know that you’re on the right path” because the old version of myself would have been fangirling on the present version of me.
9. What do you do to decompress?
A lot of the time I’ll write songs that I never plan to release just to sort out my thoughts and express an emotion I may be feeling. However, when I need to take a step away from my music, there are many different ways that I like to decompress depending on my energy level. If I am stressed with a high energy level I’ll go boxing or go for a hike to collect my thoughts. If I am at a lower energy level I’ll go take a yoga class, paint, or draw to center myself. I also find that keeping a journal has really stabilized my mental health.
10. What advice do you have for someone who gets stuck on this journey?
Keep your eyes on your vision, when you get distracted remind yourself of your dreams and goals. Believe in yourself and put in the work and watch the results come to life in your music. Lose yourself in your craft, tap into your passion, always be striving to learn something new, stay focused.
