JULIA BHATT: INTERVIEW

December 3, 2023

by martina rexrode

Julia Bhatt is a fresh talent who encompasses all that it means to be a Gen-Z person today. With a succinct perspective on the world and a voice that sounds like it has lived a thousand lives, it’s clear that Bhatt has a bright future in this industry. Her sophomore EP Grab Bag is a mixture of covers and original songs that will reach through your headphones and find a place within you. Unclear talked to Bhatt about this EP, her inspirations, and her aspirations.

You describe your most recent single “For the World” as your version of a “big sigh.” How do you imagine you’ll describe the feeling of releasing your full EP? Another big sigh or something greater?

Julia: “The EP represents a break from reality for me. That doesn’t mean good or bad, but it’s just a step back to think. That’s what it feels like for me a bit. Being able to leave the world of the music industry and what other people want feels freeing. Doing only what I felt like recording when I did feels very different compared to the other music I've released.”

What does “For the World” convey to listeners?

Julia: “I don’t have any specific messages past what I sing or write about, so all I can hope is that people enjoy it and feel a little bit of whatever they need to feel.”

In what ways does your EP Grab Bag embody its title?

Julia: “It’s a pretty random mix. It’s mostly sad songs with a popular rap song thrown in there. People often ask why I included it and for me, grab bags are about playing a few songs that I’m into at the time that have no relation to one another except for the fact that I enjoy them!”

How did you choose the two songs you covered on Grab Bag?

Julia: “I was just listening to them over and over. I had paused making music and they were songs that made me want to resume.”

You’re only twenty-one years old, but your voice and lyrics are filled with so much grit and raw emotion. Where do you find yourself pulling inspiration from?

Julia: “Haha, I’ve been through a lot at a young age. I feel things super hard and it just comes out when I write. I suppose it’s what happens when you think too much.”

What is the biggest difference you’ve noticed within yourself since you started releasing music in 2019?

Julia: “I’ve been trying things more. I’ve been experimenting with different sounds and technology. This album doesn’t have a ton of it, but the new stuff will come out eventually. :)”

What do you hope listeners will find in this new EP?

Julia: “I just hope people like the music. I hope it finds people who could use it. It’s kinda sad, but there’s as much a place for sad music as happy music.”

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LOLA MALONE: INTERVIEW

December 1, 2023

by martina rexrode

German-American indie-pop artist Lola Malone’s debut single “Label” is an honest depiction of how one feels when processing a diagnosis or being put into a box. Recently, she’s released a music video for this single that brings the viewer directly into the lives of Malone and her friends, bringing us along for the recording process as well. Her casual discussion of mental health in just this debut single is impressive and promises a bright future for her as an artist.

Congratulations on your debut single and the accompanying music video! What can you tell us about the story behind “Label”?

Lola: “Thank you so much! ‘Label’ is a song about mental health and the struggles of finding out who you are in the world, especially with the lack of actual care that many people receive after being given an official diagnosis. I wrote the song sometime at the end of 2022 after my sister finished her journey of getting a professional diagnosis.

One diagnosis was ADHD, which we recently discovered heavily within our family. During the time it took for her to get some answers, my mom had to help fill out questionnaires for the doctors. She turned to me while she was filling out the ADHD form and said, ‘Lola, this sheet has around 50 symptoms, all of which are related to you.’ The news initially shocked me, yet over time, things began to click for me. Especially when explaining why I would find certain school subjects harder and why I would do better or focus more on tests where extra time was added. Not to mention all my friends saying, ‘You've finally realized Lola,’ as if I were the only one who didn't notice I had strong ADHD tendencies.

So not long after, I applied to get a diagnosis, which could take years for me to get. But from the stress and confusion I felt with the news of my potential diagnosis, I went to my room, and within around 30 minutes, ‘Label’ was created.”

How important is it to you for music to discuss subjects like mental health, especially today?

Lola: “I feel as though it’s very important to highlight mental health as a topic of discussion wherever you can. In my opinion, music will always be one of the best creative ways to discuss these harder topics.

Mental health is a topic that is becoming increasingly talked about on social media, and the recent consequences of COVID-19, I believe, have set off a wave of mental health alarms in many houses. In my case, it did. As a result, it has had an impact on music, with artists producing songs about their own struggles, like ‘dying on the inside’ by Nessa Barrett.

Where women are often diagnosed with ADHD later in comparison to men, or some cases, never at all, it is important to me to try and create songs that explore this topic from a female songwriter's perspective. I want to try, like many storytellers, to create a discussion among listeners and make people question how they feel and what causes them issues within their minds.”

The music video feels very intimate, almost like a vlog, as the viewer follows you meeting up with your friends and watches the recording process. What made you decide to go in this direction for your first music video?

Lola: “The decision was very easy for me to make in terms of the direction of the music video. I have always been obsessed with camcorders and old VHS-style videos, so I knew that if I could ever get the chance, I would want my first video to be shot with one. When talking to my sister, Jasmine Engel-Malone, the director of the music video, she agreed that this stylistic choice would fit the song.

Growing up around the whole 2010 YouTube vlog era, I was always watching vlogs or a BTS video to whatever song I was obsessed with at the time. I thought it would be cool to do something similar for the ‘Label’ video and pay homage to that era. I wanted to create something chill and intimate for the audience to watch. Also, when recording ‘Label,’ me and my friends were having a fun time, and you can hear that on the track, I hope, so I wanted to give the audience a visualization of this energy we have when working together.”

What are some of your favorite music videos? Do you see your own music videos going in similar directions to those as your career progresses?

Lola: “Picking favorites is really hard! Recently, I've been loving these one-takes, or at least they give the impression of being a one-take video with a constantly changing set design. Such as ‘Back on 74’ by Jungle or ‘Money Game, Pt. 3’ by Ren. Even ‘Chemical’ by Post Malone and ‘lovely’ by Billie Eilish and Khalid, both have edits but still have that same flow of being in a small set as it changes.

I just love the artistic style; seeing the shot focus on one person while the set behind the camera changes constantly in the room creates this calm, flowing movement in the video. Although it seems so hectic to create, it’s so satisfying to watch, and I would love to try this style of videography out at some point in my career. I also love videos that help visualize whatever the song is about lyrically or the general vibe of those lyrics and emotions, such as ‘Escapism.’ by RAYE, ‘feel like shit’ by Tate McRae, and ‘National Anthem’ by Lana Del Rey. I want to be able to give my song lyrics a strong visual representation through my videos.”

Which topics do you hope to tap into as an artist in future releases?

Lola: “So far, my songs have always focused on whatever I am experiencing in my own life, whatever is having a personal knock-on effect on me or someone I know. Being 18 and turning 19 next week, I have mostly focused on young adult life and its struggles, such as relationships with parents, friendship, and mental health.

I'd like to get better at storytelling when tackling current issues, such as forms of abuse in relationships or today's standards of body image. Not only do I wish to tackle those topics of hardness, but I also wish to get better at creating lighthearted and so-called happy songs to go alongside the darker topics.

So when thinking of what I hope to tap into one day, I would love to eventually write a love song. I have not written a song about love, which is so funny since that's what the music charts are mostly made of.”

If you could set three goals for your career (as big or as small as you want), what would they be?

Lola: “My dream is to write a song with a German songwriter or an artist like CRO. Although CRO does German hip-hop, I love his music and his writing style.

I would love the opportunity not only to test and improve my abilities to write in German but also to create something for my German-speaking family members to have. Plus, it would just be cool to write with him.

Secondly, to get on mainstream radio in any country, mostly England or Germany, To turn on the radio and hear a song I've written and sung would be crazy. And finally, to be an opener for any of these artists would be a dream: Lily Allen, Paramore, or Billie Eilish”

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AVA KING: INTERVIEW

November 28, 2023

by martina rexrode

With the holiday season in full swing, electro-pop artist Ava King is here to offer a different perspective. Her latest single “Worst In Me” is just one fiery, unapologetically honest taste of what’s to come from her debut album SEX MONEY GOD set to release next year. King is on track to becoming a breakout star in the ever-expanding world of badass women who not only perform their music but also write, produce, and hold incredible creative control.

Congratulations on the release of your new single! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind “Worst In Me”?

Ava: “At the time I wrote it, ‘Worst In Me’ was inspired by a friendship gone sour. I couldn’t honestly say the other person was a bad person, out in their lives they were even a great person, I can’t say I’m 100% a bad person either, it’s just that when we were together we would become quite awful people. It’s my meditation on a situation where two people hate each other, but it’s honestly no one’s fault.”

Since it’s described as an “anti-holiday single,” were there any specific aspects of holiday songs that you wanted to push against?

Ava: “Not specifically push against holiday songs in particular, I understand that for most people the holidays are filled with family and wonderful memories. I just don’t see any other reality around the holidays depicted though, it’s all just total happiness, but what about the reality in which family relationships are tense or dysfunctional? What about the reality in which the holidays are more draining and slightly traumatic than warm and fuzzy?”

What is your favorite lyric in “Worst In Me”?

Ava: “‘There ain’t nothing wrong with us, as long as we take separate planes.’”

This single was written and produced in your living room which is nothing short of impressive. How long have you been producing?

Ava: “Thank you for your kind words! I’ve been producing for about seven years. There’s still so much more to learn, it’s endless and also very exciting.”

Which part of the creative process do you enjoy the most when making a song?

Ava: “Ohhhhhh, I do actually love the initial phase of just writing a song, getting down the barebones skeleton really fast, that’s really exciting for me.”

What kind of themes can listeners expect from your upcoming debut album, SEX MONEY GOD, out early next year?

Ava: “What a great question, wow, so many themes, but I would say the main ones are about seeking validation outside of ourselves, trying to fit in unsuccessfully. There’s a song called ‘Let’s Make a Porn’ in which the character tries to imitate porn actresses in bed in order to win over the man she’s dating, but it just ends up making her feel alienated from herself and him. The album is about how we lose ourselves when we look for toxic forms of love.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share or hint at to our readers?

Ava: “Yes! I’m currently creating a comedy/musical around the album SEX MONEY GOD which further explores its topics, and I welcome everyone in LA to come see the show (current date is February 5th 2024!)”

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RICKY MONTGOMERY: INTERVIEW

November 27, 2023

by mariah estran

In 2021, Ricky Montgomery told himself it was time to make an album. He describes standing in the mirror and realizing he needed to take this moment to do so.

After gaining momentum on TikTok — racking up 8 billion views — he knew that while the perfect stage was set, there was the opportunity to unpack his ideas through a new album. By the fall of 2023, his well-devoted listeners received Rick.

Working alongside Dan Wilson, Tommy English, and Jeremy Hatcher, the album dives into those ups and downs life brings while still finding light in it all. It’s a soul-searching project that unveils his vulnerability and continued talent for creating alt-pop gems.

Ricky Montgomery took a moment to tell us about his new album Rick — elaborating on how this project helped his growth, working with Grammy-winning producers, being on TikTok, and what we can expect from the upcoming tour.

You’ve just released your new album, Rick. How does this project represent you as an artist?

Ricky: “Rick is a lot of things for me as an artist: a reply to my first album, a love letter to the sound and style of writing that brought me fans in the first place, and an homage to the factors in my life that led me to a career in art. Most of all, though, it was the best project I could have made under the circumstances that brought it into production (a TikTok moment in 2020). For better or worse, it’s who Ricky Montgomery is today.”

The album was a collaborative effort — from producers to other mentors. How did working with others help you hone in on what you wanted this album to sound and feel like?

Ricky: “Montgomery Ricky, my first album, was a collaboration in that way as well, so it didn’t feel much different making this album. But I had never worked with people as acclaimed or experienced before. It allowed me to really test my own limits as an artist and see how far I could take the concepts I was working with without losing the sonic consistency of the project as a whole or alienating the audience who was so hungry for a sound I had long retired. By the end of production, I learned that I was better off not ‘planning’ anything at all but submitting myself to the process of creation — and trusting that that was the best path to success (both commercial and otherwise).”

It’s been seven years since your previous album. How does this collection of songs showcase your growth?

Ricky: “What’s funny about that detail is that only a few songs on the record are actually old. I did have a few songs I was preparing to put onto an album — ‘Talk To You,’ ‘Sorry For Me,’ etc. — but I needed new material so badly that I needed to release them as singles while I bought myself time to ‘properly work on an album.’ Because of that, most of the songs on the record weren’t actually started until 2021 (and they were finished well before they were released). Essentially, the process of this album could be boiled down to me looking in a mirror in the middle of 2021 and saying, ‘Make an album right now from scratch with some big-time producers’ — and then releasing a 14-track body of work two years later. I had no idea who ‘Ricky Montgomery’ was as a solo artist until the album came out in September. Rick is an album about catching up. Now that I’ve done that, I can’t wait to get back into the studio and make music that feels as realized as Rick has allowed me to feel.”

Rick dives into this vulnerability while incorporating those charming alt-pop sounds. You talk about life, its twists, and turns. One of those moments that stands out is “Black Fins.” Why was now the right time to express these stories?

Ricky: “I got into music because I needed an outlet and an escape from what was happening in my home. To be honest, I didn’t know that people did music until I came back to LA as an adult. I made ‘Black Fins’ when I did because I didn’t know how much longer I would be on a major label or have an audience. If not now, then when? I just didn’t have an interest in doing anything else. It felt fresh and important. Certainly more important than making pop music.”

Of course, we must mention the massive amount of love you get on TikTok. How has it been seeing so many fans respond to your music?

Ricky: “The honor of a lifetime, and a privilege that I take very seriously.”

You have recently announced a North American headlining tour. What can fans expect when they attend an upcoming show?

Ricky: “I’m legitimately trying to develop one of the most exciting and interesting live shows in the music industry right now. We’ll see how close I get with this next run.”

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ELIJAH WOODS: INTERVIEW

November 15, 2023

by sara welden

With each new release, elijah woods showcases his versatility as an artist and his ability to produce an authentic and distinct sound. With his vivid and earnest lyricism, elijah has quickly been capturing the attention of listeners all over the world and continues to do so with his newest single “last girl” (feat. MacKenzie Porter). After just wrapping up a sold out tour across Canada this fall, elijah took the time to chat with us about all things music. Read more about him below!

You released the track “last girl” as part of your bright orange everglow EP, and you're now releasing an alternative version that features MacKenzie Porter. What was that collaborative process like and how did it initially come about? Did you always want this song to become a duet?

elijah: “As soon as we wrote ‘last girl’ I knew I wanted it to be a duet. I first discovered MacKenzie through some mutual friends and I absolutely loved her voice and songwriting. She was in Nashville at the time, so the collaboration happened virtually, but as soon as she sent through a rough version I knew she would be perfect for the song.”

In addition to being both a pop artist and a singer/songwriter, you are also a producer and recording engineer. How has being knowledgeable in those areas influenced you as an artist and the music that you make?

elijah: “I think having a broader tool set helps me express my ideas more clearly when it comes to my project. I do think it’s kind of a double edged sword though. Because I can record myself and make it sound ‘commercially presentable,’ sometimes it’s misleading to know if the song is actually good, or if the elements of the song are just well produced/recorded. Lately I try to just rely on feel rather than sonic perfection.”

There is such a uniquely distinctive sound to your music and production, so how did you go about establishing that? Has it evolved over time?

elijah: “I think it’s always evolving. Something I heard recently that resonated was that it’s not what genre or style of music you make that defines you, it’s the way you come across in your music that matters. For me, music has always been a direct expression of what’s going on in my present life, so it naturally shifts and changes as I do. My end goal with every song or project is simply to be as honest and vulnerable as I can.”

You’ve just wrapped up your first, sold out Canadian tour this fall which is huge! What was that experience like, and is there a favorite memory you have from being on the road?

elijah: “Thank you, it was definitely a special experience. I still can’t believe people would take time out of their busy lives to come hear me sing songs, but I’m so thankful they do. I think the biggest takeaway from this tour was that even my songs that haven’t streamed as well still find their audience. It gave me some level of creative permission in a way.”

Who are some of the artists that inspire you today, or have inspired you in the past? Are there certain aspects of their music that you find yourself drawn to?

elijah: “Troye Sivan, Kacey Musgraves, JVKE, Taylor Swift. I think overall what inspires me the most is the willingness to try something and stick by it.”

As a highly sought-after collaborator, are there any artists that you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

elijah: “Taylor Swift, I think my fiancée would have a heart attack out of excitement.”

Does your latest project bright orange everglow set the tone for what’s in store next for you, or hint at future creative choices?

elijah: “I think it’s a good reference for the level of intentional songwriting, but outside of that, I’m very open to new horizons. The songs are what matter to me, not how they’re packaged. I could make a dance project, or a country EP, doesn’t matter to me. As long as the songs get the best light then I feel accomplished.”

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