Hi! What was your main inspiration for writing ‘Naked,’ and how does the song reflect your personal experiences or observations?
A: My inspiration to write “Naked” started when my producer sent me an idea for a song. It was a mumble track and he had
a concept of being vulnerable throughout the record. That led me to think of all the times I could have been more vulnerable in conversations with loved ones. Since I couldn’t go back in time I decided to express it through song with the lyrics. It was a really enjoyable process.
Could you walk us through your songwriting process for ‘Naked’? How did you approach the lyrics and melody?
A: I started with piecing the melody together, we actually changed it a few times. It’s important that the melody has a climax of some sort, and once that’s right I tweak the lyrics. Sometimes phrases come out as you’re perfecting the melody so I’ll add more from there. Then when I can play it the whole way through without wanting to stop it, I know it’s complete.
The track ‘Naked’ delves into raw emotions and love stories. How do you establish such a deep emotional connection in your music?
A: By being willing to be transparent, that’s always a good start. I also write about stories I’ve heard and try to put myself in the persons shoes to match their emotion.
Who are some of your major musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound in ‘Naked’?
A:Aaliyah’s music is still a big influence for me. I like Sza as well. I love their melodies and how effortlessly pretty their sound is. I definitely didn’t want “Naked” to sound forced.
As ‘Naked’ is the first single off your upcoming EP, can you give us a sneak peek into what themes or styles we can expect from the rest of the EP?
A: Yes! The EP is very emotional and has a light R&B vibe. I would say half of the songs are slow/mid tempo and the other half are more upbeat records you can get ready to or sing along with on the radio.
How do you think your music has evolved since you began your career, leading up to the creation of ‘Naked’?
A: I think my music has matured a lot. I used to spend a lot of time trying to write songs that would be trendy. Now I find myself writing about things people can relate to on a deeper level. Even if it’s a fun song I think my lyrics hit on a deeper level.
It was released just last month, how has ‘Naked’ been received by your audience, and how does that feedback influence your view of the song now?
A: I’ve been getting great feedback, people really seem to love the tone of my vocals and the play on words with “Naked”. I went from 0 to 500 monthly listeners in less than 2 months with one song so I’m really excited to keep releasing.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while creating ‘Naked,’ and how did you overcome them?
A:Having to see it over the finish line in general. People think it’s easy to make a song and just upload it, but there are a 1000 steps in between you have to consider after you lay that first idea down. So I would say having to orchestrate the completion of the record is always a challenge when you work full time and have life to deal with at the same time.
Are there any specific directions or themes you’re exploring for your future projects beyond the ‘Naked’ EP?
A: I would love to do a dance EP, and I enjoy hip hop as well. It would be cool if I could explore both genres more in the near future. But immediately after my EP releases I will be working on an album that’s a little more up beat.
Finally, what message do you hope listeners take away from ‘Naked’ and your upcoming EP?
A: I hope my listeners realize it’s ok to say what’s on their mind as long as it’s communicated in a way people can receive it. And that life is better when you love out loud, and when you’re true to who you are.