Indie singer songwriter Neeko returns with her first single of the year, ‘How Deep?’ – the stirring title track of her anticipated debut EP. Weaving folk-laden pop melodies that gently buoy listeners into a state of utter serenity, Neeko sees music-making as a deeply cathartic practice. Her debut single ‘Deep Sea Diver’ was released independently last year, captivating audiences with its siren harmonies and spacious production that uplift Neeko’s impressionable voice as one to be celebrated. Now, the rising artist is thrilled to share the track’s sister release, ‘How Deep?’ and announce the exciting news of her forthcoming EP of the same name, just around the corner.

No stranger to the Melbourne music scene, Neeko has played countless shows around the country, sharing stages with the likes of Danika Smith, Allysha Joy, T Honey (aka Maple Glider) and even the Grammy Nominee Eric Roberson. Outside of her solo project, Neeko has performed backing vocals and contributed to an array of local outfits, including most notably playing drums in Melbourne psych rock outfit, Tomgirl. The band have been billed on prominent lineups such as Strawberry Fields and have supported industry heavyweights, Mildlife and GODTET among others. We had a chat with Neeko to delve into the inspirations behind her new single, dream collaborations, her various improvisation pursuits and what she’s got coming up on the horizon.

Hi Neeko, congratulations on the release of your new single ‘How Deep?’. Can you tell us a bit what this song means to you?
This song is a very personal love song and reflects a very specific time for me in a break up journey. It was a moment of feeling overwhelming love and joy.

How did the song come about and who did you record it with?
This song came pouring out one night as the feelings of such intense love were too overwhelming not to be expressed! Literally could not contain it in my body, hence the song was born. I recorded this song with my dear friend Jonathan Collins in his bedroom studio.

Have you always made music? When did you start?
I have definitely always loved music. I was always singing when I was a kid and was always forming little bands with friends. It wasn’t until I was 19 that I started playing guitar and that’s when I really began writing songs.

How would you describe your sound?
I have explored many different sounds in my song writing journey, but at the moment the songs that have been coming through are more intimate folk-like songs that tell a story. The aesthetic of my recorded music is very centred around the backing vocal arrangements which is my favourite part of the recording process! I absolutely love creating vocal arrangements. 

You started the improv women’s showcase BLUME (Boss Ladies Under Musical Elevation) in Melbourne back in 2017 and another jam night in Alice Springs in 2018. What do improvisation and jam sessions mean to you, and how important is collaboration?
I love this question! I feel very strongly about improvised music because I feel it is how I have learnt how to play. I remember in the beginning of my musical journey going to friends’ parties where there was jamming going on and I longed to be a part of the jams but found that I had SO many insecurities to break through to feel like I could. It took a long time before feeling comfortable with feeling uncomfortable basically. I then became super passionate about creating warm and nurturing musical environments for people to be able to break through their own fears as I did. I firmly believe that music is for EVERYONE and you don’t need to be a virtuoso to play. For me, collaboration is an essential part of how I grow musically. 

List a few of your top dream artists to collaborate with or perform with and why.

I would love to collaborate with Moses Sumney! His backing vocal arrangements inspire me so much. Would also LOVE to collaborate and perform with Jacob Collier! I feel we share a similar philosophy on music and he just seems like the biggest sweetheart!

You’ve only had one other release under your solo project Neeko, with your debut single ‘Deep Sea Diver’ last year. How does ‘How Deep?’ compare to this and what evolutions has your music taken on over time?

These songs are most definitely connected. How Deep? is the antidote song to Deep Sea Diver. I recorded Deep Sea Diver in my room last year which was a really beautiful intimate experience. I have very limited knowledge about recording so it is much more lo-fi than How Deep?. Recording with Jon definitely allowed me to create a bigger sound that I would not have been able to do on my own.

What’s next for you?

I have another single coming out in October before dropping the whole EP in November which I’m very excited about! I would love to be touring this music next year but I guess we will have to wait and see given the current state of the world. Fingers crossed for us all!

Finally, where can we stay up to date with future Neeko releases? Plug yourself!

You can find me on instagram as @neekomusic which is where I post all of my upcoming things. If you would like to check out my music head on over to Spotify or if you want to purchase my music go to neekomusic.bandcamp.com and buy a song for only $1.50!

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Where are you currently based?

I’m currently based in Toronto, ON. It’s become my home over the last five years. We’ve been making good cocktails and good music.

How did you first start playing music?

I started playing music when I was 15. I have two musical parents and originally viciously rejected playing any instruments/being musical. I found it naturally when I got into my early teens and ironically became really inspired by all the music my parents had played around me. Pink Floyd, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Carol King – that’s what I grew up listening to.

What’s been happening recently?

Publicly, nothing. Behind closed doors, the creation of an entire world. We’ve been redefining what “Sam Drysdale,” means artistically. I have love for my debut EP “Vicelove,” but it didn’t fulfill me. The project we’ve just finished was truly synthesized in my blood.

Your new single “Dream About a Girl” is out on August 25th, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

The soundscape you’re hearing is the brainchild of super-producers Andrew Martino and Joey Verskotzi. We wanted to capture something that had lyrical weight but also some tempo. The idea for the song actually came to me in a dream that caused me to question the relationship I was in at the time.

How did you go about writing “Dream About a Girl” and what does the single mean to you?

I wrote this song with Andrew “Marty” Martino and Alexandra Soumalias on a day that I had no intention to write a single – it seems to always happen like that. We originally wrote the song with the mindset that it was a ballad but Marty insisted we put some thick snares behind the verses and the song really took shape from there.

Where and when did you record/produce/master the single and who was it with?

The record was produced by Andrew Martino (Toronto) and Joey Verskotzi (Los Angeles) and was mixed by Howie Beck. Mastering was done by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering.

How did you approach the recording process?

Honestly. The most important factor in the creation of this record has been relentless honesty. Lyrics are the world to me and making sure we had painted the picture as articulately as possible was crucial for me. I’ve also recently discovered how to be more laid-back in regards to my vocal delivery and it has given me a lot of space to experiment.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I try to keep my playlists fairly fluid but I think you’d probably find an overwhelming amount of; JP Saxe, Alexander 23, The Weeknd, John Mayer, James Blake, Talk, Pop Smoke, and 6Lack.

What do you like to do away from music?

I like cocktails with playful garnishes. Preferably in the sun and close to the water.

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?

We’re going to begin introducing people to this world we’ve created. More music, more visuals, more live shows. The only thing I care about is making a deep stamp on this industry and showing continuous thanks and appreciation to my team for having my back.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

There is a restaurant in Toronto called Manita that I believe makes the best Burger in the world. From there I’ll typically end up at a dive bar. Usually Local’s Only or Laissez Faire (Toronto). The grungiest parts of Hollywood also have a special place in my heart.

How do you think this EP represents SoSo as a band now, compared to the band you were when you first came together?

One of the cool things about this EP is that you can see the different influences shine through depending on the track. “Skywriter” for example, has hints of alt-rock or prog that had stuck around from old projects. “Yeah Nah” on the other hand is probably the most straight up Punk song we’ve done and is probably a pretty good indication of our goals to play Offensively Average music and just straight up have a damn good time. 

“I Wouldn’t Call This Success…but It’s Close Enough” shows us developing our sound and identity. Having learned from the first EP, our new stuff is more focused, and with greater production influence from Mr Stevie Knight. We’ve started playing some of these tracks live because to be honest it’s kinda hard not to.   

Is there a particular track/s that still stick out for you as a fave?

For me “Wasted Time” has to be the standout from this EP. It’s not as radio friendly as perhaps some of the other tracks with it’s long build up, but I’m stoked with how it turned out. It’s fun as hell to play live and Rhys’ lyrics really hit those nostalgia feels. 

‘The Great Escape’ is the single we heard before the full EP came out; can you tell me a bit about how that song came together, and what you like most about it?

“The Great Escape” started out as one of our more traditional up pop-punk tracks. The chanted “check this!” which is my personal favourite part of the song came about during the very early stages of writing the instrumental, and the rest of the melody was formed around that. We tend to write all the instrumentals first, so coming up with a melody that fit with the chorus lead was super important.

There’s some great tunes on here that make us miss live touring – what do you miss the most about constant shows?

Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ve ever had the luxury to have a consistent touring schedule! Our first ever show was cancelled in the first COVID-19 lockdown, and it’s pretty much continued with that theme since then. We did manage to string together a couple of shows with varying levels of restrictions in place, and especially when we were able to have a standing crowd, the atmosphere was awesome. I think people are really hungry for live music at the moment, so there’s a LOT of brilliant chaotic energy in the room.

You guys were getting some good momentum going as live performers before we went back into lockdown, too. What has been the best thing about playing with your bandmates? 

Apart from the standard drinking beers, hanging out with your best mates and getting rowdy, one of the coolest things about playing shows has been experimenting with lighting and effects. 

If people are going to make the effort to navigate the restrictions and take a punt on the show being able to go ahead, then you bet we’re going to try make it worth their time. Plus, even just the smoke machine on its own is a bloody good laugh.  

How important has music been for you during the last year or so?

It’s hard to explain without sounding like a total cliché but music is pretty much all we do! Whether it’s writing new material, coming up with ridiculous ideas for skits and merch, or just hassling our mates to come out to shows.

If there is anything about this EP, what is it about this record that is gonna keep the fires burning until we can see you guys live again?

With any luck it won’t be too long until we get back to playing shows (fingers crossed). Until then we might have to go back through the archives for all the dumb content we took while writing the EP to see if there’s anything we can release to keep you guys entertained. 

I Wouldn’t Call This Success..But It’s Close Enough is out now.
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What’s your favourite gig that you’ve ever played at and why?

Space NYD Would be definitely be a highlight for me, Kobra Kai played early in the day to a wicked crown, and then I ended up hosting High Contrast’s set to a packed crowd absolutely going mental. Being NYD everyone was ready to party and line-up didn’t disappoint.

You just released new music, what made you drop it now?

I think it’s time, it’s relevance with the single people can relate too, my commentary on life and how I perceive what we’re all going through.

How would you define your style of music?

I am a mixed bag, this release is more of a modern hip hop vibe, however the other tunes on the release are definitely more grimey. Previous releases have been very Boom Bap focused solo, and with a mix bag of all underground bass music with Kobra kai.

Have you ever written songs that were more a fantasy than based on real life?

Every rapper exaggerates the truth to some extent, I have definitely framed some lyrics around fantasy more than real life. I am not a massive storyteller, however there’s been some moments over the years for sure.

Tell us about your upcoming album:

The new EP is all 140bpm and the production handled from 3 producers from the UK – Kayos, A-Zee and Chedda. It’s me having fun over a few different styles, however staying consistent on the same BPM. Some serious, some not so, but I think cohesively it works as a project hence the release. You have varied sounds, Who are you is a beat circa Boy in the Corner, where Voices just has a heaving Bassline. The two singles On Sight, and No Sleep are also completely different to one another. There’s a lot of variety across the release and it’s only 4 tracks.

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What is your name and role within the band? 

Hi, I’m Curtis Heinz and I am the lead vocalist and guitarist in Worse For Wear Where are you currently based? 

Currently based in Brisbane 

How did Worse For Wear form? 

A mutual friend introduced me to our drummer when I moved to Brisbane. We hit it off and  started writing. Not too long after that I convinced my brother to make the move up from  Adelaide and play Bass. That was back in 2013 and we’ve never looked back. 

Your new single ‘Don’t Look Down’ is out now, what influenced the sound and  songwriting? 

This song was influenced by our pop punk roots. We reworked the song to be a fast 2min  singalong as a homage to where we’ve come from. 

How did you go about writing the single? 

As mentioned, it was a previously released song that we had all connected with. We wanted to  bring it back for our debut and thought that moulding it to fit the flow of the record was the best  way to go about this. 

What does this track mean to you? 

This track is special to me; the lyrical content is dark and reflects on an experience that has  stuck with me for many years. Be sure to check on those around you. 

Your new album will be out September 3, what was the process of writing an album like  for you? 

This record, being our first full length body of work, includes songs that span our whole  existence of being a band. It was a slow burn. Also, this being the first time we were able to  demo and really spend some time on the production and flow of the songs made it possible to  create our best music to date. 

Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with? 

We were lucky enough to work with the very talented Nick Wilkinson. He was a one stop shop  and is responsible for what you hear on Sure To Leave A Mark.

Please tell us about your collaboration with We Set Signals Nick Wilkinson, how did it  come about and what was the process like? 

We had met Nick previously around Brisbane, playing various shows. We also became familiar  with some of his production work that we were very impressed by, so when the opportunity to  work together arose it was a no brainer. The process was great, and his knowledge and skills  really brought our vision to life. 

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021? 

We, like everyone in the music industry currently, are hoping to get out and play shows. We are  rehearsing and in the process of putting together a new live show which we cannot wait to  share. 

Who are you listening to at the moment? 

Currently I’m really digging Modsun’s “Internet Killed The Rockstar” record. It’s on repeat! What do you like to do outside of music? 

On weekends I love to get out and play golf. 

Favourite food and place to hangout? 

At the moment you can’t go wrong with all the top notch restaurants down at Howard Smith  Wharves in Brisbane. The lads and I are always up for a long lunch!

What’s the creative process like for you?

It varies! I’m a big believer of the idea that a song knows where it wants to go, and will reveal itself in due course. If I wake up wanting to write a song, I likely won’t write a song that day, or at least a half-decent one. I do have some methods I use to help eke a song out, like being in a room with a writer far more talented than me, or sitting behind my piano alone and crying about something that happened yesterday.

Your single Pretty Young has a pretty cool music video with the story of your life playing out in a cinema. Can you tell us how this idea came about and what it represents?

The song itself has the ability to be seen as a young person reminiscing about being young, which it is in a way. But for the music video, I really wanted to capture my childhood as much as possible, to show the viewer/listener how much I have changed since I was a kid. How joyous and uninhibited I was. My mum has always had a harddrive of old photos on it, but it wasn’t until I went through it that I found all these videos of me as a kid that I’d never seen before. Seeing yourself as a child, knowing it’s you, but not remembering ever doing what you’re seeing on screen, is such a trippy experience.

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for ‘Pretty Young’?

As I said, this whole EP was brought together by songs I either wrote with someone more talented than me, or wrote sat behind a piano, crying. Pretty Young came from the latter. You never know where a song is going to go when you start writing, obviously, so I started penning this really nostalgic look back on when I was a kid, but got to the end of that first stanza and realised how silly I thought it was to be nostalgic for something that was so recent. That’s how the song turned into me comparing just how different and similar I am now, compared to when my age was still single-digits.

You have a new EP coming out on August 13 titled Pretty Young, what can we expect from it, and what’s currently your favourite track?

I love writing about personal experiences. I believe a song hits twice as hard if you know it’s about something the artist had to get through and learn from. The whole EP is filled with those songs. Little diary entries of my life so far. It’s so hard to pick a favourite song, but if I go by the song that means the most to me, it’s Pretty Young. It’s the only track on the EP that I wrote fully myself from start to finish, so it holds a special place in my heart. The unreleased single too, Everything to Lose, is such a groovy, funky song it’s ridiculous. Completely out of my comfort zone and such a tune.

I heard that you recently moved back to LA for a new role, and contracted the Delta Strain of COVID-19, can you tell us more about that experience?

Yes, and yes. I was living in the States for two and a half years and eventually moved back to Australia for a few months in April of this year, to expand my fanbase there and see family and friends again. I came back to LA mid-July, and a week and a half later I tested positive for COVID. It just sucked so much, timing-wise and the physical sickness part, obviously. Three days of the worst flu I’ve ever had times 10. At the peak, I couldn’t lift my head off my pillow without feeling faint. I’ve seen some people calling me out for complaining about my symptoms, which is entirely not the point I’m trying to make. I’ve got a platform, specifically targeted towards young people, and I want to use it to tell people to get vaccinated. I was lucky to have gotten vaccinated when I came back to the States, and it still hit me off my feet. Who knows how bad it would’ve been if I was unvaxxed.

So we know you can act, we know you can sing, what do you do in your spare time? DO you have any spare time??

I’m lucky to have two simultaneous careers that stemmed from hobbies! I love music and movies, and I get to make both of them, insanely lucky. I like playing sports and video games too, mainly as social activities. I like being with people whose company I enjoy, no matter what we’re doing. Alcohol is encouraged.

What does the next 5 years look like for you?

Who knowwwwwws! I used to be one of those people who planned year by year schedules, knowing what I wanted to do in 2025 before 2020 even started. The pandemic changed my whole mindset there, I’m much more of a daily person now. I focus on what I can do today to make tomorrow better for me and the people around me. Sticking to that has done me well so far.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?

I’m in the fortunate position of being able to think about both actors and musicians I’d like to work with in the future. I’ve always wanted to work with Tom Hanks. I just love how he works and his humility and kindness on set. He’s definitely someone I try to mirror when I’m on set. Him, Taika Waititi and Florence Pugh are actors I’d love to work with in the screen industries. Music-wise, being onstage with Lewis Capaldi, Aloe Blacc or Billie Eilish is my absolute dream.

What bands have influenced your sound?

I feel like, sound-wise, I’ve been told which artists I’ve been influenced by by other people more than realising my sound influences myself. Artists like George Ezra and James Bay have been thrown at me, both of which are massive compliments. I’ve always felt like I was influenced more by the artists I listened to while I was growing up. Less in a sonic way, moreso in how my love of music was formed from a young age. I would go on road trips and short drives with my family and listen to their favourite artists, like my dad’s The Eagles and America, my mum’s Kenny Rogers and Poison and my brother’s Triple J tastes. Those drives are where I believe my passion for music started growing.

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Where are you currently based?

We are currently based out of Toronto, Ontario.

How did you first start playing music?

I always had a love for music and melody and I was often found singing and dancing around the house as a child. Thankfully my parents encouraged my passion and enrolled me in singing lessons when I was 12. I eventually picked up the old acoustic guitar in my house and started writing my own music. Soon after I met a few of the other guys and we bonded over our love of rock music and decided to form our own band.

What’s been happening recently?

As of recently we’ve been busy in the studio creating and recording our newest songs. We just released our song “Cut Me Loose” to which we are getting a great response online. We are always trying to keep up with our fans on TikTok and Instagram and can’t wait to get back out there to play some live shows and showcase our new sound.

Your new single ‘Cut Me Loose’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

We wanted to take our sound to a more professional and modern level without losing that raw energy and bluesy nature. I think we’ve retained that passion and created something sonically pleasing to both young and old and most demographics!

How did you go about writing ‘Cut Me Loose’ and what does this single mean to you?

John actually pitched the song to the band and we all immediately loved it. We posted a video of us performing the song online on TikTok, and it successfully went viral overnight racking up about 2 million views. A lot of people all over the world were asking for it to be released, so we knew we had to. We began playing the song for folks online and almost everyone was convinced it would be a hit. I’m really proud of this song because of how well it showcases our newest sound and how hard we’ve been working together as a band. It’s very well crafted and has so much energy to it, you can’t help but headband along.

Where and when did you record/produce/master the single and who with?

Much of the recording process and production of the song was done back during June in our home studio at Cosmo Cat Records. We got in touch with Canadian producer Tawgs Salter who was excited to work on the song. We sent the session to him for more production and the final mastering was done by Tokyo Speirs.

How did you approach the recording process?

A) We had been playing “Cut Me Loose” acoustically on Tik Tok for about a month so we already had a pretty good feel for the tune. It was just about taking it to the next level and letting everyone’s ability’s shine on the final product. We had recorded a few early demos during the lockdown in an older studio, but really worked and refined the core of the song at Cosmo Cat Records studio . We have a great set up in our studio so it was easy to do most of the recording and engineering ourselves before we sent it to Tawgs for further production. Recording is something that we really enjoy and do on a daily basis, and we are learning and growing everyday.

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?

You can expect tons of new music and hopefully some announcements for Canadian show dates for later this year. We are releasing a live action music video for “Cut Me Loose” in a few weeks and are already planning for our next singles and hope to release them in the upcoming months.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

You can usually find me listening to Supertramp or some sort of classic rock band but as for current music I’ve been listening to a lot of The Blue Stones. I really dig their music, it reminds me of what we are sort of doing with our music. It’s awesome they are a Canadian band as well, modern but still incorporating those big riffs and that bluesy rock vibe.

What do you like to do away from music?

When I have the time I really enjoy cooking and making food for the people I love. Anytime you can bring your friends and family together to have a few laughs and forget about the stress of daily life.

Favourite food and place to hang out?

My favourite food has got to be tacos. I just always feel like it’s a party when Mexican food is in the mix. I’m a sucker for a good hot sauce, I love the spice. Sneaky Dees has great food for that. We love getting out and exploring new places and cities, especially getting in touch with nature and the great outdoors. We are always on the lookout for a good time. It’s been difficult with the recent lockdown but hopefully we can get back out there with everything reopened.

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Where are you currently based?

Australia!

What’s been happening recently?

Well… without sounding negative, we had a whole tour and a bunch of other things planned that all got taken away a week out from doing them because of a recent outbreak of COVID in Aus, so we’re just trying to keep writing as much as possible and do anything we can to stay busy during lockdown 2.0 haha.

Please tell us about how you first got involved with Fender Next and your experience to date:

I kid you not, we have always played fender. It’s always been our number one company we wanted to get involved with. We’ve been approached by other guitar companies and we’d decline so when we were lucky enough to have been contacted about being a part of Fender Next, it was an absolute no-brainer. 

What does being involved with Fender Next mean to you?

As I said before, we’ve always been huge advocates for Fender. They are so versatile and never fucking break no matter what you do to them. The first guitar I ever bought was a Fender Telecaster Blacktop. I saved up all my money and bought it like 10 years ago and still use it to this day with only one modification. We use it for everything from recording to live shows. It’s never failed me despite it being through the absolute ringer while touring. To be a part of Fender Next just seemed like destiny if I’m being completely honest.

Please tell us about your thoughts on the Fender Artist Playbook:

I think it’s great and I wish there was something like that from actual musicians when we were younger. The tough thing about navigating the music industry is that, although there are some key things that you need to have in order, there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule and every artist’s story is different and that’s what makes it so hard, I think. So, it’s great to have something concrete and spelled out like – ‘these are essential’. 

What’s planned for the band for the rest of 2021 and going into 2022?

This year we’re focusing on releasing new music, and 2022 will be nothing but touring. Can’t wait to be back on the road.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I find it hard these days to find stuff I really like, maybe I’m too cynical and jaded now haha. Having said that though I’ve been getting into Kid Laroi quite a bit, Phoebe Bridgers, the new Turnstile record, Teenage Joans – a young band from AUS. I’ve actually going back and listening more to the artists my dad would play for me quite a bit as well like Nirvana, Hendrixx even Janis Joplin. The classics are just where it’s at for me right now.

What do you like to do away from music?

I love art. I love creating things whether it be graphic design stuff or just fooling around in photoshop doing dumb things to keep my mind active. It’s so hard to feel inspired at the moment but I’m trying to stop that muscle from dying haha.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

My favourite food will always be chocolate I don’t care how basic that is. It was my first love. But I really love ramen, Indian food, Thai… ill find most things delicious… favourite place to hangout is a great bar with my mates BUT since we’ve been unable to tour for so long I would literally settle for a shitty greenroom in the middle of no-where at this point haha.

Where are you currently based?

I’m based in Vancouver, BC!

How did you first start playing music?

For as long as I can remember I’d always loved music, but I didn’t start performing until I was 9. I first started with singing competitions in my area and then worked my way up to solo gigs in bars and restaurants where I’d sing and play the guitar for a couple hours at a time. It’s very funny being a young performer, sometimes you’re not actually allowed in the spaces you’re performing in. Once I had to be walked by a chaperone between the stage, green room, and bathroom so the bar wouldn’t get in trouble for having a 15 year old wandering around by herself.

What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been?

Recently I’ve been writing and planning my future releases after ‘False Love’ drops. Pre-Covid I was already a bit of a social recluse, so not much has changed socially for me, but I’ve really missed performing. I’ve done a couple outdoor and online shows, but it’s not quite the same as things were before the pandemic. 

Your new EP ‘False Love’ will be out on July 30, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

While writing this EP, we (myself, Tavish Crowe, Ryan Stewart, and Troy Samson) were inspired by a lot of different artists, including Dua Lipa, PVRIS, Doja Cat, Carlie Hanson, and Tate McRae. Writing this EP was a learning experience for me. A lot of personal and musical growth happened for me throughout its creation and I think you can hear that throughout the tracks! In two of the songs on the EP (Is It Cool If We’re Lonely? and Nothing To Bleed For), I started dipping into a slightly darker pop sound, which is something I see myself continuing with in the future.

How did you go about writing the EP?

Spending lots of time in the studio! I like to think of myself as a pretty quick songwriter, all of these tracks were written in under five hours. ‘Is It Cool If We’re Lonely?’ Was definitely the fastest, Tavish and I wrote it over Zoom in less than two hours! We’re both pretty efficient songwriters (when we’re not getting distracted on random tangents), which makes working together very quick and fun! I believe that over thinking your music takes away a lot of charm and authenticity. Worrying too much about whether or not other people will be able to immediately understand a lyric or if a melody is catchy enough distracts from the process, and can make songs sound kind of rigid and flat. I tried to apply that philosophy to every song on this EP, letting the song tell us where it wants to go, instead of forcing it to be something it isn’t.

Where and when did you record/produce/master and with?

This EP was mainly produced by the incredible Ryan Stewart, except for ‘Is It Cool If We’re Lonely?’ Which was produced by the also incredible Tavish Crowe. I always think that once you find your people you should stick with them so your music doesn’t start to sound disjointed or repetitive. All of the songs on this EP were written and recorded in Vancouver, with the earliest song (Scar Tissue) recorded in early 2019, and the latest (Is It Cool If We’re Lonely) written in February 2021. The songs were mixed and mastered by Jason Van Poederooyen (aka JVP).

How did you approach the recording/production process?

Throughout the writing process for ‘False Love’ I gained a lot of confidence in my abilities as a songwriter and contributor to the final version of a song. Most of the time, I would send a couple references to Ryan or Tavish, and they would come up with a track that took inspiration from that. I learned over time how to express more specifically what I wanted things to sound like, but I’m still not super great with a lot of production terms, so a lot of the time I just have to badly beatbox and hope they understand what I’m going for. On a high note, I’ve gotten pretty good at singing like a distorted bass haha.

What programs/equipment did you use?

Ryan and I use Logic, while Tavish prefers Ableton. For the most part I only really record myself for covers and demo vocals if I’m writing over Zoom, but my mic is an Aston Spirit. I don’t know what microphones were used for the final productions as all the songs were recorded at very different times and in two different studios, sorry!

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve been going through a bit of an emo revival recently, so a lot of My Chemical Romance and Paramore, but I’ve also been really loving Olivia Rodrigo, Willow, and Måneskin. I’m loving this late 90’s to early 2000’s rock/pop punk revival as that’s a lot of what I listened to growing up!

What do you like to do away from music?

I love photography, photo editing, and creating videos. Those interests are very helpful with creating content for my music career, so I spend a lot of time on both sides of the camera and hunched over my laptop. I actually created the art for the EP myself with a projector, my camera with a self timer, and many hours of photoshop. 

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?

More music! I hope to release at least one more single before 2021 is over. I’m really excited about the new music I’ve been creating recently and I can’t wait to share it with my listeners!

Favourite food and place to hangout?

This might be a little bit weird, but I’m kind of obsessed with fried cauliflower. Something about it is addictive and I can eat so much of it. It’s kind of like the best of both worlds: it’s yummy and deep fried, but also a vegetable, so I’m not being too unhealthy when I eat an entire plate of it myself. My favourite place to hang out with a friend is thrift stores. I love that every time you go in, there’s different stuff to look at, and a lot of it is really cool or funny. It’s also much more sustainable than shopping for new stuff all the time, and super rewarding when you find a really good item.

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Where are you currently based?

I’m born and raised in beautiful Calgary, Alberta (Canada)! 

How did you first start playing music?

Music has been with me as long as I can remember. Ever since I could talk I would sing, and I’ve always loved writing poems and stories which became songs around the age of ten! My dad has always been a lover of music and sings as well, so it’s been in and around me forever! 

What’s been happening recently?

I’m so happy to say my debut single “Blame it on Me” has been released! The song also has a music video to accompany it! All in all, I’ve been writing music constantly and working with incredible artists and producers who continuously challenge me to create a better song than the last, every single session. It’s been a blast! 

You’ve just released your single ‘Blame It On Me’. What influenced the sound and songwriting?

I owe the sound to the incredible Jackson Willows, who I personally believe to be a total wizard. He has such a strong vision for the music he works on, much like myself when it comes to lyrics and storytelling and I think by working together we created something really special. Joseph of Mercury was also on deck and the three of us clicked in such a great way. I can’t imagine this song coming about with anybody else! Dan Kurtz also jumped in for insight and by the end of the songwriting and musical journey I was so happy and eager to release it! 

 How did you go about writing ‘Blame It On Me’?

Jackson Willows and I were actually jumping into another song for that session – we were circling back to a tune that we thought might have some potential but needed tweaking. However when we got in, both he and I felt it just wasn’t clicking. And personally, I believe that when creativity comes to a place where it needs to be dragged through the mud and forced, it’s no longer genuine. And that’s totally okay! So we decided to start a new song, and that was the start of Blame it on Me. We finished the majority of the song and that’s when Joseph jumped in to help wrap up and tie up loose ribbons and give the song his magic touch. When we decided this was going to be the first single, that’s when Dan Kurtz came in for a session to give his thoughts. After that, we were off to the races!

Where and when did you record/produce/master, and who with?

I recorded physically at OCL studios in Calgary with wonderful sound tech Josh Gwilliam, and through super cool technology, I had Jackson Willows and Joseph of Mercury in my ears listening to and directing the session. Jackson Willows produced, and Jay Dufour mixed. Finally, Alexis Psaroudakis mastered the song! 

 How did you approach the recording process?

Like I said, I was physically in Calgary recording, while my producer Jackson Willows and co-writer Joseph of Mercury were in Toronto. Technology is so advanced now that we were able to hear each other while I recorded in Calgary, and the two of them directed the session while Josh was there to facilitate and physically record. It was a super interesting experience! 

 Who are you listening to at the moment and who influences your sound?

I’ve been loving JP Saxe recently, as well as Conan Gray, Ruston Kelly and Lennon Stella. It’s hard to pin down who influences my sound as I feel I have a real unique vibe going that’s a combination of folk, pop, alternative and singer songwriter. I’m super inspired by Stevie Nicks though and older 70s 80s music and putting an organic and modern twist on it! 

What do you like to do away from music?

I have all kinds of creative outlets like drawing, painting and writing – but I have a huge love and passion for photography and visual content creation. Being the creative director behind all of my music promotional images and aesthetic has been so fun, and doing that for other people is always so rewarding as well! 

Does songwriting come easy?

For me personally, I would say yes! Of course everyone gets into creative ruts or phases of writer’s block, but in general I would say that writing has always come very naturally to me. Whether it’s poetry, story telling, essays or songwriting, stringing words together to create an image is one of my favourite things to do. 

What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?

I will be releasing a second single this Fall! And hopefully an EP will be coming shortly into the New Year. Stay tuned!

 Favourite food and place to hangout?

My favourite food has got to be potatoes. In any form. They’re just so versatile haha! 

My favourite place to hangout is wherever my favourite people are. I’m very lucky to have found a group of friends who are so joyful, driven and loving. I am my best self wherever and whenever I’m with them. 

Twitter: @jennieharlukmu1

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Website: www.jennieharlukmusic.com