Musician Faye’s latest music video ‘Alexandria’ left our eyes feeling a bit more hydrated after the first watch. This heartbreaking indie rock ballad talks about love that wasn’t meant to be and the ramifications of falling for someone that doesn’t feel the same way. Enduring much heartache in her early childhood, Faye found comfort in music and used it to escape her clouded mind. After escaping a troubled past the singer has risen above adversity, absorbed by the works of ‘90s legends like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and Chris Cornell. We chatted with the singer about her creative process in this exclusive Q&A.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
Hmm, I would definitely say that Taylor Swift inspired me a lot lyrically when I was first getting into music. I listen to pretty much everything now. These past few years I’ve really been loving the ‘90s era and just music in general. Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters really inspire me. Also listening to music from the 1930s to now is so is inspiring, just to see how music it’s ebbed and flowed throughout history.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
Not really. I typically write when I’m feeling a certain sadness or when I’m just feeling extra creative and have a lot of ideas. When that happens, I’ll just grab my guitar, sit down and let it out. When it comes to recording I try my best to relay to my bandmates how it sounds in my head. Most of the time it comes out right but it’s taken me a while to figure out that those lines between your exceptions and what the producer/band mates perceive can get blurred very easily. Knowing exactly what you want and how you want it is the key to getting a song/video/etc.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Music. It can be any song from any genre. If it’s good and makes me feel something then I’m ready! Also playing shows gets me really inspired.
As a musician, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I’d like to put more focus on talent and just raw music. I definitely want to bring that back in some way. Like, for example when we’re recording I want it to be real instruments, a person playing strings and making those guitar sounds. It’s just more personal and there’s way more of a connection that way in my opinion.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
Definitely music creation. I love both and need both but when it comes to making the content for each project that’s definitely my #1.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Probably either playing at the Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville or getting picked as a Semi-Finalist in the Unsigned Only National Songwriting Competition.
What’s on your current playlist?
‘Moonlight Mile’ by The Rolling Stones
‘Rooster Live’ by Alice in Chains
‘Cellophane’ by Middle Kids
‘Turning Gold’ by The Pretty Reckless
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you in the near future?
Lots of unique rock music, definitely a lot more shows(like tours), more collaborations.
Famous last words?
Small steps daily lead to big results.
‘Alexandria’ features on the Spotify playlist INDIE_GROUND.fm
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