So it was definitely a mix of developing my own musical language and also expanding my technical skills to be able to execute the sound that I was going for. It was a lot of trial and error, a lot of learning on the fly, a lot of frustration, but also a lot of satisfaction when things started to come together in the way that I wanted them to. It was a process of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trusting my instincts, even when they led me down paths that felt unfamiliar or challenging. But ultimately, that’s what allowed me to create a record that feels true to me and fully embodies the vision I had for it.
It’s so interesting to hear about your process and how you navigated those challenges to create something that feels authentic and fully realized. Can you talk a bit about the guest appearances on the album and what it was like collaborating with artists like Perfume Genius, Julie Byrne, and Jay Som? How did those collaborations come about and what do you feel they added to the overall sound and message of the record?
Working with Perfume Genius, Julie Byrne, and Jay Som was truly a dream come true for me. Each of them brings such a unique and powerful energy to their music, and I felt like their voices and perspectives would complement the themes and emotions I was exploring on this record. I reached out to them individually with the songs I had in mind for them, and luckily, they were all on board and excited to be a part of the project.
Perfume Genius brought this raw vulnerability and intensity to his vocals on ‘Forget’, which really elevated the emotional impact of the song. Julie Byrne’s ethereal voice added a haunting beauty to ‘Deny’, creating a dreamy atmosphere that perfectly captured the longing and uncertainty in the lyrics. And Jay Som’s dream pop sensibilities shone through on ‘Passenger Seat’, adding a lushness and depth to the track that I couldn’t have achieved on my own.
Having these artists contribute their talents to the album not only added richness and depth to the sound, but also expanded the scope of the record and brought new perspectives to the songs. Their collaborations helped me to push the boundaries of my own creativity and explore new possibilities in my music. I’m incredibly grateful for their contributions and the impact they had on the final product.
Overall, I think their presence on the album helped to further amplify the themes of connection, vulnerability, and self-discovery that run throughout A Love You Cannot Shake. Their voices intertwined with mine, creating a tapestry of emotions and experiences that I hope listeners will connect with and find resonance in. It was a truly collaborative and enriching process, and I’m so proud of the work we created together.
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It’s been a pleasure to learn more about your creative process and the journey you took to bring A Love You Cannot Shake to life. We wish you all the best with the release of the album and look forward to seeing where your music takes you next.
I’m glad you picked up on that. I think having those movements in the songs helps to create a sense of progression and growth, both musically and emotionally. And while I may not have a strict routine when it comes to writing, I do try to capture those moments of inspiration whenever they come, regardless of the time of day. It’s all about following that motivation and riding it for as long as I can. It’s a process of evolution and growth, both in the music and in my own life. That’s something that I think about a lot – how they bleed into each other and how they’re not necessarily separate. And a lot of the time, we’re feeling a couple of them at once. So I think that’s reflected in the record, and in my life, too. It’s all a big mess of emotions, and I think accepting that is part of growing and moving forward. Creo que eso es parte importante de lo que quería transmitir con muchas de estas canciones, esa sensación incómoda de tratar de lidiar con el odio, tratar de lidiar con la ira, pero sabiendo que está moldeando el amor que sientes y la aceptación que tienes, está moldeando quién eres tanto como esos otros sentimientos más positivos lo están. No puedes olvidarlo necesariamente, porque terminarás en el mismo lugar. Es esta cosa realmente incómoda de tratar de convivir con ello, y simplemente sabiendo que cuando estás viviendo en un lugar, nunca estás demasiado lejos del otro. Cuando estás viviendo en aceptación, nunca estás demasiado lejos de la ira, el odio, el miedo y el arrepentimiento, todo esto. Creo que puede ser realmente aterrador, pero luego, viceversa, cuando estás viviendo en ira, miedo, arrepentimiento, sabiendo que nunca estás demasiado lejos de la felicidad eufórica, esta aceptación total, eso puede ser realmente reconfortante. Es solo tratar de equilibrar los dos.
Esta entrevista ha sido editada y condensada para mayor claridad y longitud.
A Love You Cannot Shake de Fashion Club se lanzará el 25 de octubre a través de Felte Records.