Hey Billy!! So excited to be chatting with you!! Did you have a “break out” song that started things for you with your followers?
Awwwww thanks–the pleasure is all mine :). I feel like I have a “break out” moment every time I release something new, because I’m still building my audience. So every release captures new ears and gets me closer to that full on “break out” moment where everybody knows my name.
You had your first real taste of the limelight when you released the first EP of your Dreamland Series!! How excited were you to get this project out into the world?
I’ve had the idea to do Dreamland since before the end of my last record deal, so it’s been a long time in the making lol. Because of the way things were going in my professional life, I wasn’t sure if Dreamland was a possibility, so I am ecstatic to be here not only talking about it but releasing the completion of the series so that everyone can finally hear the full story.
You are currently gearing up for the release of Dreamland II. Can you spill any details about the new EP?
I can tell you that Dreamland II is better than Dreamland I LOL. And I say that because throughout the process of creating Dreamland, I’ve lived with the songs on DL2 longer and I’ve learned a lot over the last year–so the development of the songs is different. More confident I would say.
What is it like making the Dreamland I & II?
The process of making Dreamland has been amazing. I started writing and recording songs for Dreamland at the end of 2017, and even though it originally started out as a full-length album, each EP took it’s own journey in being completed. DL1 felt more experimental in the way that I was still recovering from losing my record deal, and I didn’t know if anyone would care about me or my music. Dreamland II comes from a more reassured place, where I’ve let all that go and my only focus now is telling my stories and putting out work that I know will speak to my followers and my viewers.
Would you say this EP series will be your biggest accomplishment in your music career so far?
Absolutely! For so many reasons! Just a couple years ago, I was sure that I was done with music and that my dreams were over before they got off the ground. So to come back from that feeling–to find new inspiration and determination to create something that’s definitive of me, and have it be well-received by so many people is by far the greatest accomplishment of mine up to this point.
Have you had any moments while creating this project that stood out to you?
I guess the one thing that for sure stood out was when I received the last masters for Dreamland II, and I knew it was finished. That was a surprising feeling because I’ve spent so many years working on this project, and then I looked up from working and it was finished!
Did any artists style influence you on this new project?
When I was working on Dreamland II, I was really in a 90s mood. I was listening to a lot of TLC–specifically ‘Crazy Sexy Cool’ and Janet Jackson’s ‘Janet’ and ‘The Velvet Rope’, and so you get some of that influence in the music and in the vibe of the EP as a whole.
Can we expect any collabs on this project?
I don’t have any collabs on this project, it’s just little ole me LOL. I haven’t done any collabs yet–not because I don’t want to, it just hasn’t happened yet.
Would you say this EP is the same style as your old music?
I think every project I release is different from the last. There will always be certain fundamentals, like of course there will be a dance record as part of the project–but what that record sounds like will always be different from the last time you heard me.
Does any of the songs off the EP come from personal experience?
ALL of the songs on the EP come from personal experience LOL.
Have you and your team picked the single for the new EP yet?
So “Another Broken Heart” is the official first single. I took my time with releasing the EP after releasing ABH because I wanted people to focus on it. It’s such a great summer dance record, and as an indie/underground artist it sometimes takes people a little while to catch up to what you have out. I actually released a second single today (Wednesday August 7) on Instagram, it’s a mid-tempo called “Tell Him”, and I released the audio video on IGTV. So now there are two singles out from Dreamland II, which will be available on Friday!
Do you have a favorite song on the EP?
I love all the songs on this EP, if for no other reason the amount of time I’ve spent preparing them. It was definitely a more involved project than the first, and I feel a more intimate connection with DL2–pretty much the way I’ve always wanted to feel in the process of creating and releasing music. But if I were to chose one, I’d have to say “Long for This Love” is my favorite. It is the final song on the EP, and it pretty much sums up the sentiment of Dreamland, and how I felt throughout the process and with each of the experiences that I talk about.
Any details on when this project will be released?
Dreamland II will be out on Friday August 9, available in all digital outlets.
Are you planning to go on tour to promote Dreamland II?
I actually have something else planned instead of a tour. I can’t talk about it just yet, but everyone should stay tuned and definitely check in on my Instagram over the next few weeks lol.
Have you had any shows in your career so far that have been your favorite?
I think one of my favorite shows so far was Pride in Asbury Park. It was a beautiful day on the beach and there were so many people in the audience. After my set, a bunch of people rushed the side of the stage trying to get pictures and merch, and it was my first time experiencing that–so it’s definitely a moment to remember.
Whats your dream venue to perform at?
I don’t have a particular venue as much as I have a particular type of venue; I would love to get to a point where I can play stadiums! To do super huge stadium venues where I can play all my dance records, and do full staging and really go for it on a grand scale. That’s my dream.
What other crazy talents do you have other than singing?
So if I stopped being a pop singer, I’d go and be a standup comedian LOL. I have a weird sense of humor that I’ve learned keeps people entertained. I tell jokes in between songs sometimes when I’m doing shows, so if I ever need to or want to switch careers at least I know that I have that in my back pocket lol.
What’s something crazy that you’ve done that you have never told anyone about?
I can’t tell you that!!! Then we’d both be in trouble LOL.
If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing?
I’m a creative and an entertainer by nature, so if I wasn’t focused on my music specifically, I’d be pursuing other areas of entertainment; acting, hosting, something to do with show business for sure.
What’s your top three songs on your playlist right now? And why?
Top 3… “Glad He’s Gone” by Tove Lo because I love how provocative and raw she is with her writing and I love the chorus of that song. “Break Up with Your Girlfriend Cause I’m Bored” by Arianna Grande because how can you not love that sentiment, and I wish that I’d thought of it lol. And the last one just made it’s way to the top, “I Wish” by Hayley Kiyoko because I feel like we’re similar in the way we write complex ideas in simple language.
Do you have any last things you want to tell your supporters?
I just always want to thank them for sticking with me through this whole process. It isn’t easy maintaining an audience when there’s so much music and so many artists to chose from, and so I’m thankful that people continue to see something in my work that resonates with them, and makes them want to see more and hear more.
Thanks for taking the time to do this interview 🙂
