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Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
I’m currently based in Toronto. The music scene is awesome here because it’s super diverse. You can pretty much find all types of people playing all types of music at all times— and everyone’s always awesome.
How did you first start playing music?
Ever since I can remember I loved to sing—but I picked up my first guitar when I was in grade 9, because my little sister started playing and I was really jealous that she could play, and I couldn’t. After that I never really put it down. My guitar teacher is the one who encouraged me to start writing songs. Once I started, I fell in love with it and knew I didn’t want to do anything else with my life.
Please tell us about your new remix with TRU Concept, how did this come about and how did you approach the remix?
I was walking in NYC and got a Facebook message from a girl who found me on Spotify and was interested in talking to me about my music. We ended up chatting and getting along great, and she ended up being TRU Concept’s manager. I loved his Lauv remix and he loved my new single, so it seemed like the right thing to do.
What programs/equipment did you use?
I’m actually not sure what he used…but whatever he did, I like it. To make the original track we used Ableton and Pro Tools.
What did you find most rewarding and challenging during the remix process?
I guess the most challenging thing was wrapping my head around my song sounding different than how it originally was intended, but that’s also what the most rewarding part was. Having someone else reimagine your song into a completely different genre and vibe is so cool. Some of my closest friends are super into dance music and they’re pretty obsessed with it. I got to hit a whole different audience with this one, so that made me happy.
How has being from Toronto influenced your sound?
There are so many amazing artists that have come out of Toronto recently. It’s super inspiring to look up to those artists and learn from them. So I don’t know if it’s influenced my sound per se, but living in Toronto has definitely given me a lot of motivation to try my best.
How do you usually go about writing music?
It really depends. Sometimes when I’m feeling really sad or mad, I’ll sit on my bed with my guitar and write an entire song in an hour or 2. My bed is pretty much my songwriting sanctuary. Whenever I get inspired outside of my bedroom, I’ll always write my ideas down on a massive note in my Iphone. These are sometimes just song title ideas, or words that I think are cool. I’ll go back and use this note for ideas when I’m collaborating with other songwriters in writing sessions, or when I just feel like it myself. I want to learn, but right now I have no idea how to produce. Luckily I have 2 amazing men in my life who help me with that. So once I’ve written a song, I always take it back to my producers and we record it together. They help me bring it from my bedroom, to life. It’s pretty cool.
You won iHeart’s Future Star, how has this effected your music career?
For sure the best thing that’s happened to my music career thus far. The Future Star program helped my song get heard all across Canada. I owe a lot to IheartRadio and to all the radio music directors who believed in me, and believed in the song. I’ll never forget that. Being on the radio is MESSED UP in the most amazing way possible. I asked people to send me videos of themselves singing it when they hear it, and I’ve gotten so many videos. People from all over, singing and dancing to my song, as well as people letting me know that they can relate to it, or that it helped them through a breakup or something. That’s what makes all the hard work feel so worth it.
I hear you have a tour planned, where will you be headed and what can we expect from these shows?
I can’t say much, but i’m starting to plan out and practice for my live show and I’m really excited. In the past I’ve always performed acoustic, so it’s going to be an experience for me to perform with a lot more elements. I’m working on making some cool merch as well.
What do you like to do away from music?
Hang with my friends, my family, and my puppy. I also love some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I have crazy weeks where I’m in the studio for hours upon end. So it’s nice to just take time to relax and catch up on my favourite TV shows. I just finished Handmaid’s Tale and I am obsessed.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Billie Eilish, Tove Styrke, Sasha Sloan, Gavin Degraw, and ‘Shallows’ from a Star is Born, on repeat.
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019?
I actually have 1 more remix coming out on Dec 7th from an awesome DJ who’s also based here in Toronto— “Pusher”. If you don’t know him yet, you should listen to his stuff because it’s reallllllly cool. This next remix is super vibey, i’m pretty obsessed with it. I’ve spent the last two months working on my EP. I’m going to put out another single from it in 2019 and i’m REALLY pumped about this next song. It’s very special to me.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
My favourite food is a tie between grilled cheese and angel hair pasta with rose sauce. My favourite place to hangout is at a music studio, or Disney World.
