FAERIE

Earlier this year, Faerie, a talented musician hailing from New York, introduced her sophomore EP, "dizzy spells." With a diverse range of influences, she masterfully blends indie pop, folk, and psychedelic elements to craft a truly unique sound. The result is a mesmerizing and dreamy musical landscape that transports listeners into a hazy world of emotion.

Through her music, Faerie aims to create a profound connection with her audience, evoking feelings and stirring memories. In this interview, I had the opportunity to delve into Faerie's musical journey, exploring her creative process, sources of inspiration, and aspirations for the future.

Audi Locus (AL): At what point in your life did your musical journey begin, and when did you realize your desire to pursue a career as a musician?

Faerie (F): My musical journey could be traced back to when I was about eight years old and writing (bad) lyrics in my diary. I still have those somewhere and it’s very cringe, haha. I was always involved with music, whether it was learning how to play guitar and piano through YouTube tutorials, taking voice lessons for eleven-ish years, or being enrolled in the musical theatre department in high school.

I think I knew I wanted to pursue a career as a musician once I showcased my first fully fleshed-out song to my voice teacher at around 14 years old. She encouraged me to sing it at our voice recital and I did! It was so reassuring to hear people like my music. I’m not saying it’s the best song I’ve ever written, but it motivated me to keep writing. Another moment where I knew I wanted to focus on my songwriting craft was in college when I took a songwriting course. I loved being surrounded by creative individuals, sharpening my production skills, and participating in peer reviews! Everyone was so encouraging about taking my craft to the next left. I knew right then and there that this is what I’m meant to do in my life.

AL: Congratulations on the release of your EP "dizzy spells" earlier this year! Could you share the inspiration behind the album and how it reflects your journey as an artist?

F: Thank you so much! After releasing my debut EP, "2am," in 2021, I immediately started envisioning the future of my music and honing my sound for the next project, which eventually became "dizzy spells." One of the key inspirations behind this EP was the music I listened to during my teenage years, specifically between 2010 and 2015. There was this whole wave of new music with a distinct aesthetic that emerged from the Tumblr scene (yes, Tumblr!). Artists like Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Mitski, Lorde, Bleachers, The Strokes, Bon Iver, Tame Impala, and HAIM played a significant role in shaping the direction I wanted to explore. I tapped into my teenage self, revisiting the emotions I had suppressed during that time, and began pouring those feelings into my songwriting.

Working with my producer, Matty Bedrosian, was an incredible experience. He understood my vision perfectly and took the time to bring the sound I had been imagining to life while contributing his expertise. Seriously, he's the best! Throughout the process of writing "dizzy spells," I focused on the stories and experiences from my teenage years leading up to my twenties, hoping that it would somehow bring healing to my younger self. I had spent years denying strong emotions and burying painful memories instead of facing them head-on. It was an emotional journey, but I feel like the EP truly captured those experiences and emotions.

AL: "virgo sun" is one of the previously unreleased tracks on the EP. Can you describe the creative process behind this song and the message you wanted to convey?

F: The creative process behind my song "virgo sun" was quite spontaneous, to be honest. I wrote it on a whim, driven by a moment of frustration and feeling creatively drained. I started with a chord progression and decided to let my words flow freely. The initial draft began as a melancholic letter to myself, tapping into my younger self and imagining a conversation with my present and future selves. As I continued writing, I looked for guidance from my friend and music mentor, Dylan Grey. He created a safe space for me to express my innermost feelings without judgment, which helped me shape the song into something that truly felt like me. Once the melody and lyrics were good to go, I collaborated with my producer, Matty Bedrosian, to infuse the track with a folky sound and psychedelic influences. I fell in love with the swells and intense instrumental breaks that added an emotional build-up.

If you're curious, I actually talked more about the song's evolution and shared early demos on a podcast [hosted by The Wandering Ear] I was featured on. Overall, writing "Virgo Sun" was a therapeutic experience, and I believe its intimate nature shines through in the recording!

AL: Your music showcases a unique fusion of genres. What inspired you to explore such a diverse range of styles?

F: My music inspirations are all over the place, and that's what makes it so exciting! Pop music has always held a special place in my heart, from jamming to Britney Spears as a kid to vibing with the likes of Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus now. My time in voice lessons opened up a whole new world of Jazz and Broadway, which brought a different flavor to my musical tastes. But then I started exploring the indie, alt, and folk scenes, diving into artists like Christine and the Queens, The Civil Wars, Hozier, The Killers, Regina Spektor, and AURORA. Currently, I'm revisiting old favorites like Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, and The Beatles, who never cease to inspire me. I'm like a sponge, absorbing bits and pieces from every music I've ever loved, slowly weaving it all into my own sound.

AL: You mentioned being influenced by artists like Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala, and HAIM. How have these influences shaped your musical style, and how do they manifest in "dizzy spells"?

F: Each of these artists has their own distinct sound, and through listening to their music, I've learned so much about crafting melodies, experimenting with rhythm, and exploring different production techniques. I'm always drawn to "the making of" videos where artists break down their songs and share insights into their creative process. It's incredibly inspiring and helps me think outside the box, pushing me to step into musical territories that I might not have been comfortable with before. When people ask me about my music, I often explain that I aim to capture and emulate the emotions that a song evokes in the listener. It's all about creating a connection and stirring up those feelings, just like these artists have done for me.

AL: Collaboration seems to be an important aspect of your work. Is there a specific artist or producer you aspire to collaborate with in the future?

F: When it comes to future musical collaborations, I've always had a dream of working with either Jack Antonoff or Harry Styles, and that's something I'll definitely stick to. In addition, there are some other incredible artists I would love to collaborate with like Hayley Williams, Lorde, Kevin Parker, and Justin Vernon. Right now, I'm focused on building connections with fellow indie musicians and songwriters who share the same love for music as I do, always open to exploring new creative possibilities together!

AL: As an independent artist, how do you navigate the music industry and forge meaningful connections with your audience?

F: As an independent artist, navigating the music industry and forging meaningful connections with my audience is incredibly important to me. I think social media plays a huge part in that. I absolutely love connecting with people there! When someone follows or DMs me, it's a great opportunity to engage with them whether it’s about the music we’re both fans of or talking about our music journeys. These connections allow me to learn more about who is listening to my music, why they resonate with the songs I write and the emotional impact it has on them. There's nothing quite like the happiness I feel when I can engage in a back-and-forth dialogue with a listener, sharing stories and experiences related to the emotions and narratives in my songs.

Keeping up with social media can be difficult, especially with all these new trends and algorithms. I try to stay informed and adapt my strategies to reach a broader audience. It's a constant learning process, but I believe it's important to explore new ways of reaching people who may connect with my music. Along this journey, I hope to make new friends and create meaningful connections, not only with fellow musicians but also with listeners who share a love for the music I create.

AL: How do you envision your sound evolving, and are there any specific goals or milestones you hope to achieve in your music career?

F: As I envision my sound evolving, one of my goals is to start performing more live gigs. While I've been doing smaller coffee shop performances lately, I find them super fun and rewarding. The intimate atmosphere allows me to practice getting comfortable with both talking and performing in front of a crowd. It’s a great opportunity to really get in tune with my audience.

In terms of my sound, I've set a goal to dedicate time to writing, even if it's not a fully produced track. Developing the habit of consistently writing will undoubtedly improve my skills and creativity. I’m also determined to listen to more music, and I've even set up a spreadsheet with a list of albums to explore. By actively studying the elements of songs and analyzing what I enjoy about them, whether it's the mix, instruments used, or lyrical structure, I believe I can progress and learn more about the craft. Ultimately, I see myself pushing boundaries and merging my favorite genres to create music that truly represents me as an artist.

AL: Apart from music, are there any other creative outlets or hobbies that inspire you?

F: Honestly, music is mainly my creative outlet most of the time, but when I take a step back and reflect, I realize that my inspiration can come from some more things. I love finding myself engaged in a film or tv show. I can be captivated by the emotional storytelling of characters and often channel that into my music. I enjoy writing fictional stories as well! Creating my own characters and delving into their narratives is an incredibly fulfilling experience. Sometimes, I even find myself crafting songs based on those stories, intertwining my love for music and storytelling. It's a fantastic way to give my creative mind a good workout and see where it takes me.

AL: Have you encountered any significant challenges as a musician, and if so, how have you overcome them?

F: You know, writer's block can be a real struggle and it sucks. But as I've grown as a musician, I've realized that it's often just my mind playing tricks on me, finding excuses to avoid moving forward. Fear is a sneaky culprit too. The funny thing is, the best way I've found to "overcome" it is to simply let my mind wander. Sometimes what I write might be terrible, but hey, it's still progress! It's something I can build upon and improve. So I've learned to embrace the imperfect moments, push through the block, and keep creating. Because even flawed progress is better than standing still!

AL: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just beginning their musical journey?

F: Here are some pieces of advice that have really helped me throughout my many years as a musician:

1. Embrace education and continuous learning: Never stop learning, whether it's about the creative process or the business side of the music industry. Take advantage of free resources available on platforms like YouTube, Facebook groups, and Reddit. Additionally, consider attending webinars hosted by industry professionals to gain valuable insights and networking opportunities (some favorites include Gen Admission, Women in Music, Grammy U, Amplify Her Voice, and She Is The Music).

2. Keep trying to find opportunities to collaborate with other musicians and industry professionals! Collaboration can foster creativity, provide new perspectives, and open doors to potential opportunities. Attend local events, open mic nights, and music conferences to network and build relationships within the industry. For me, I love connecting through socials and setting up virtual meetings or “coffee dates.” Don’t be afraid to reach out to your favorite indie artist or industry professional via DM! You never know what cool new project you might be working on.

3. Last but not least, embrace creativity and exploration. Keep creating, experimenting, and discovering new music. Practice free writing to allow your mind to freely express ideas without judgment. It may not always be perfect, but it's a starting point that can lead to something great. Develop a habit of writing whatever you feel at the moment, knowing that you can always revisit and refine your work later. I always bring a notebook with me or use my notes app, so I’m prepared when inspiration hits. Allow yourself the freedom to grow, evolve, and polish your craft as you progress on your musical journey!

AL: Finally, what can fans expect from Faerie in the near future? Are there any upcoming projects or performances you'd like to share?

F: I think the main thing I want to work on is collaborating more. I love the feeling of meeting like-minded individuals and creating something beautiful as a result. I’m starting to reach out to some more talented musicians and industry professionals, so be on the lookout!

Keep up with Faerie

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