How did your headspace differ while creating this new project, versus your debut?

There actually was a lot of change when writing this project compared to when I wrote my first. This time around I found that I felt much more confident in what sounds I like; it took me releasing that first project to realize which sounds I truly connect with.

Another factor that changed my headspace was who I collaborated with when writing this EP. This time I had a specific group of collaborators who pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me find the confidence I needed to be a bit more experimental and honest with the sounds that I chose; to make sure that the sounds fully expressed whatever I was writing about. For example, “Trueblue” is a song I would never have had the confidence to make a year or two ago. 

Were there any moments during the writing process where you felt like you had to hold back or that what you were writing felt too personal to share?

I had this feeling with “Trueblue.” That song actually went through countless iterations on the production and on the lyrics. I’m not the kind of writer to share tons of intensely specific details, so I can’t necessarily say that I felt as if I was sharing too much in terms of details; however, this song is one of my most honest songs.

This song was one I actually debated even putting out, it captures a moment in my life that was so confusing and–a moment when I was looking back at a time that I spent with a girl, and wondering if I had messed up what could’ve been because of how I handled it. That feeling is still very much with me – and this is what made me feel unsure about releasing it. I was uncomfortable with how exposed I felt with releasing a song about feelings that I haven’t fully resolved, or even moved on from. In the end it turned out to be one of my favourite songs on the EP.  

Sophomore releases can be tricky with the pressure to evolve but not lose yourself in the process. How did you navigate that expectation, if at all?

To be honest I didn’t feel this pressure as much as I had expected to. There’s something strange that happens as soon as you release your first project – for the months leading up to its release you think you know exactly how you’ll feel once the songs finally come out. This is so not the case! There’s so much growth that happens in the weeks after the release in terms of what sounds you realize you like, what songs you love, and which songs you realize you love a little less. I think that kind of growth can only happen once what you’ve been making is exposed to the world. At least that’s what I found. 

What inspired you creatively during the process of making this project? Books, music, films, life experiences?

I was mainly inspired by personal experiences for this project though films, books, and music are massive inspirations for me as well. Films are a huge part of my life and are a huge part of my process. I love falling into the world of a film, into the characters, and forgetting that I’m even watching a film. With my music I try to create equally large worlds. Reading is another huge part of my life.

The song “Chinatown In The Rain” is actually heavily inspired by the book The Subteraneans by Jack Kerouac. That book shook me up and heavily inspired how I wrote about the experience that “Chinatown In The Rain” is based on. Though films and books inspire me on how I write, my songs are based on my experiences. 

Describe the ideal environment for listening to this EP for the first time.

Walking through the city as the sun sets.