When did you start your music journey? What was the moment for you, that you knew this is what you wanted to do as a career?
"Well, I started my musical journey when I was 15. I had always had an interest in music, but around this time is when I decided to pick up my first instrument (the ukulele). From then on I started to dabble in original music.
The moment I knew that I wanted to do music full time was when I started promoting my first ever single, Broken Flowers. I had always used music making as an outlet to express specific emotions. Simply talking about them never left me truly satisfied. I’m not the best with words. It gets very frustrating when I feel very passionately about a topic or an opinion. I never feel like I can do my perspective justice. It was when this song came out that I realized that I wasn’t alone in my thought processes, and that there is an entire community out there that understands what I’m trying to say!"
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
"Melanie… Freaking… Martinez. Melanie Martinez is my biggest inspiration musically, and my runner up would have to be MARINA (Marina and the Diamonds). I’ve learned so many things from them. They’ve shown me what it truly means to be an artist. I really appreciate their unwillingness to compromise who they are for the industry. It’s so easy to lose yourself to money and fame, but that’s not why they started making music and they still preach this to this day. They prove to me that you can do both, and my goal is to do the same!"
When did you start your TikTok?
"I started in March of 2019. Music wasn’t always my top priority with TikTok. I started using the app just for fun, but eventually it turned into something big!"
I see you recently released a new single, can we expect an album to follow soon?
"Haha. I originally planned on releasing an E.P. following my recent single Thermostat (Available on all platforms *cough cough*), but recent I’ve been very interested in seeing how far I can push a single on TikTok before dropping a project. Expect to see me drop a few more singles before the entire E.P. comes. I really want to create a story with this and push myself creatively."
Are there any challenges that you’ve faced that pertain to being a female artist in the industry?
"Of course, unfortunately that’s a part of the deal right now :/ A Lot of people underestimate you based on how you look in this industry. Personally, I love when people underestimate me, because once I show them what I’m made of it makes my output look even more impressive. Also the industry likes to pin women against each other for some reason. I’ve been put in a-lot of collaborative situations that gave off competitive energy.
I’ve dealt with a-lot more challenges due to my race rather than my gender though."
Do you have a dream artist you would like to work with in the future?
"If I’m really dreaming, Melanie Martinez, MARINA, Imagine Dragons, Twenty one pilots. Pretty much any Popular Alt Pop/ElectroPop act from 2015 LMAO.
If we’re dreaming a bit more realistically then I would say some amazing Indie artist I’ve met over on TikTok. Melina KB, just had a call with her recently. She's AMAZING. Iniko, AimVision, and so many more!"
First concert you went to?
"The first concert I went to was actually in 2021. It was a J Cole. Concert. He killed it! I’d love to go to more this year!"
If you could pick one album to be the soundtrack of your life, what would it be and why?
"I would have to say Blurryface By Twenty One Pilots, A bit of a cliche but 0 skips. They do a-lot of reminiscing about the past and questioning the present. That’s literally how my brain is wired so."
Any new female artists you’re currently listening to?
"Shameless Melina KB plug. I love her, I see so much of myself in her. She’s not new but she just recently had a song blow up on TikTok and she’s so underrated it's crazy. She’s releasing a song soon called “Friends to Lovers”… BE THERE!"
Favorite TV Show?
"Steven Universe. They hit everything with this show. Amazing storyline, incredible message, and killer music. Rebecca Sugar (The creator of Steven universe) is one of my biggest idols. I hope I can meet her one day. If you’re going to watch it, I urge you to watch its sister show Steven Universe Future and Steven Universe the movie. I really appreciate how this show grew with its audience. I personally learned a-lot about certain feelings we all have, through this show. It’s not just a cartoon."
Most inspirational quote?
“I am the universe. Infinite in every direction. This is my choice.” - Deepika Padukone
One word to describe yourself?
"Unstoppable"
What’s your ideal day?
"I’m a very simple person. I love productivity. Any day where I feel like I’ve accomplished something is a great day to me!"
Where do you see yourself in five years?
"Honestly, I believe my future is very bright. I love the peripatetic nature of being a musician so I see a lot of touring and networking. I’m looking to just build my experience in the industry so hopefully in five years I’ll be a bit more seasoned and wise. I try to keep my future as abstract as possible because who doesn’t love spontaneity."
Biggest advice for young women entering the music industry?
"Follow your gut. You think it’s right, it is. If you get a bad feeling, run. Always pay attention to your initial reactions. Also pay attention to the people you surround yourself with. Not just their presence in the industry, look at their morals and how they conduct themselves. Some people are only here to take advantage of you. Choose your company wisely."
How did you get involved with Gritty In Pink? What does it feel like being a part of a community for women in music?
"I met you guys on Instagram! I love this community that you’ve managed to build! Having a sense of community is one of the biggest things that keeps me going in music so I’m glad you guys have welcomed me with open arms!"
Any final comments?
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to mention the importance of empathy and open mindedness. There are so many social issues in this world and I know our communities are very passionate about them, but you can’t expect for someone with opposing views to listen to you if you're not willing to extend an ear to them.
Some people on the internet just want to feel like they're a part of a movement, and some people genuinely want change. It’s very easy to form opinions without considering all factors, especially with social media telling you what you should believe everyday.
Being open minded about what others have to say allows you to form a more educated opinion. It allows a higher power of self-honesty. The more you understand why someone else believes something, the more you understand yourself and your own beliefs."