BiB: Blondestandard - “From Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis to Rock Reinvention— Caroline Gets Real

0:00 What is going on? It is Adam. Welcome back to Bringing It Backwards, a podcast where both legendary and rising artists tell their own personal stories of how they achieve stardom. On this episode, we had a chance to hang out with Caroline, AKA Blonde Standard, over Zoom video. This is actually the second time we had Caroline on the podcast, the very first time she had yet to release her debut single, Blue Eyes, which was back in 2022. So we had a chance to really catch up with Caroline and see what she's been up to over the last two, three years. It was a fantastic conversation. We recapped our first interview a little bit, and we did find out that Caroline was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma just prior to graduating from college, or she had just graduated from college and she was in her last semester last time we spoke. So there was kind of, you know, a couple years there where she was getting healthy and working on new music and new art. But she's been doing great, which is awesome. She talked about releasing California Dreams and then the first song, Freaking out was kind of the first song she released after she started to write and produce more music again once she started feeling healthy enough. She talks about her song Ruin My Day and all about the most recent record, which is called Arms of Another. And she hints at a podcast that she has coming out as well. You can watch our interview with Caroline on our Facebook page and YouTube channel

1:32 at bringing it Backwards, it would be amazing if you subscribe to our channel like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok at Bringing Back pod. And if you're listening to this on Spotify, Apple Music, Google podcast, it would be amazing if you rate and review us there as well. It helps us out tremendously. We'd appreciate your support. If you follow and subscribe to our podcasts. Wherever you listen to podcasts, we're bringing. It backwards with Blonde Standard. Bringing it backwards. Bringing it backwards. Bringing it backwards.

2:15 Bringing it backwards. Bring it backwards. Bring it backwards. Hello. Hey, Carolyn. How are you? Good. Long time no see. I know. It's been almost two years, I think, or getting on there three now. Really? Oh, my God. I was, like, in my USC prime when we last spoke. Yeah, you had. I don't even think you had released Blue Eyes. It was, like, about to come out. Yeah. Yeah. That's crazy. Wow. I know. I'm excited to kind of see what's gone on since. I know you've released a handful of songs, so that's cool. I have indeed, very Very cool. Well, it's so great to see you again. Thank you again for doing this. Yeah. I'm so excited. I love. I mean, I've now been following the podcast since I've been on, and. Awesome. Great to be able to, like, hear artist stories and excited to share the updates. I appreciate that. That means a lot. Thank you so much. Course.

3:20 For actually checking it out. Yeah. So. Well, I mean, we've already got your story, like, up to a point before, but let's just. If you don't mind, just. Yes. Quickly recapping from before, just so you're born and raised in L. A. Yes. Came up with, you know, creative family in a way. I mean, your mom's producer, and I know that that was a part of your life growing up, but you really didn't start showing people your music or any of that until it was, like, a few years prior to when we spoke. Right. Maybe a couple years. Like, Right. Yeah. I think, like, right when Covid hit, I mean, it might have been, like, two months before the world lockdown.

4:03 I was with a producer friend of mine, and I just kind of jokingly was like, can I record a song? And it's been something I've loved, but it was, like, something that everyone, like, turned their head and they're like, what? Right line? I'm like, yeah, Caroline. Hey. Yeah. Because you always had the blonde standard, like, brand. Right. But it was under more graphic design. Things you're doing. You were working with people in music or in. With bands and stuff. Right. Kind of side. Yeah. I think that's why it was harder for me was like, the boundary of, like, oh, I'm, like, thinking of managing artists, and I'm figuring out where I belong in the music industry.

4:43 I've since kind of figured that out. But I was like, does this make sense for me to be able to, like, be an artist and also work with artists? And that kind of was like a big no no to people. And, yeah. I think I was kind of just becoming more and more inspired every time I got in a studio session with another artist. And I, like, had all these ideas and, like, you know, all this stuff. And I think, like, it kind of came to a head when Covid hit and people were very supportive of my artistic journey. And then we kind of just, like, did it. Yeah. You wrote, like, a whole ep, right? In, like, a short period of time.

5:25 Yeah, yeah. I was just like, once I finished a song, we went to the next one. I think in hindsight, I was really just, like, trying to get all of the creative juices that had been built up for so long out and try to figure out, like, how do you write a song and what does it mean to produce a song from start to finish? And what are my influences as an artist? Because I listened to everything and I also had like, this music blog at the same time where I was also interviewing artists and like, trying to learn about their stories. So it was definitely this kind of period of time for me where I was really kind of like, just learning. And I think this past year, specifically, like since like Sept.

6:13 Maybe literally this past year, like September of like last year, I really started honing into my own sound to a point where like, every time we finish the song, we're like, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, that was better than the last one. Like, we're. We're going somewhere with this. Yeah, you feel like it's moving forward, not like, oh, we had this great song and we. I can't capture that again, like, what's going on? Right, right. We're like, okay, this all makes sense together. Everything is like, in the same world. Everything is the same kind of. Yeah, yeah. So I love that. Well, I. I love what you're doing. I mean, like I said before, we. You only had the one song, and I don't think it was even like, out to like, the public at the point when we talked.

6:57 So crazy. Yeah, I think, like, yeah, it's. It's very interesting. Just kind of like reflecting on that time. And also just the sound itself. Like, I. I was working around a lot of like, more like electronic producers and was around kind of that energy. And so you can hear in that it has this kind of like bubblegum pop influence to it. Whereas now I think it's much more kind of like alternative rock, modern rock focus. Yeah, I was going to say it changed quite a bit, at least, you know, over the past couple of years. But coincidentally, I mean, I was like in these studio sessions being like, let's make a rock song. Except, like, when you don't have that chip, it's like I'm like, okay, I don't know what you're talking about, but, like, we can try our best to make a rock song. Right? So now we've like, kind of encapsulated that and I've found people that I work so well with. Are you working with different people than that producer that you initially started working with, or are you still with that person? I.

8:00 We're still great friends, I think. You know, it's. It's actually Interesting, because a lot of the producers that I work with are artists and don't really produce for other artists. Or at least that's why I think. You were saying that in the beginning. Yeah. He was, like, just an artist and was like, oh, sure. I guess I'll. It never worked. It's kind of a favor, right? Yeah, it was like, a favor. Yeah. But now I have people that are like, they're in it just as much as I am. And I think that's kind of my goal is, like, I'm the one singing, but, like, this is all our song, you know, I want everyone to feel like we're making something and we're putting something out and, like, hopefully resonating with someone. And a lot of it comes from, like, lyrics, for me, at least, which I've noticed a lot of people don't really listen to lyrics. Yeah. Which is wild because that's, like, really. I mean, hooks and. And the, you know, catchy pieces of it are like, obviously, like, oh, what is that? You know, kind of intriguing. Right. But my favorite songs are the ones where you can relate deeply to what the person's saying. Right. Yeah.

9:01 No, I mean, the. The lyrics are like, for me, I'm like, that's everything. That's why the song has this, like, power to it. And I'm like, oh, you just know the rhythm or the melody, but you don't know what I'm saying. So, I mean, I just leave it. To leave it to the audience. I think the goal is, like, a lot of my music has these, like, kind of two halves to it. One is this kind of, like, outward message, which is like, oh, this sounds like a love song. And that actually hasn't changed since the beginning of, you know, the first two singles I released. And it has this kind of, like, outward sweep, you know, song. And you hear the love song or you hear the whatever side to it, and then there's this kind of, like, deeper, like, theme or mess that I'm trying to get across. But I also kind of understand music and what's marketable and what people can resonate with more. And so, yeah, I kind of like to have the two kind of the deeper meaning and then the kind of, like, surface level. Like, this is kind of what it feels like or sounds like, but it's not that at all, which is. Right, right, right.

10:08 Yeah. What all of my art has always been. Oh, okay. Yeah. Because you used to do. I. I know the graphic stuff a lot. Right. That's really where it kind of started. Yeah. And even in the beginning when I was asking you about Blue Eyes, you said that you had somebody else do the COVID art. Because I was curious. Yeah, you were gonna do it. And you said, no. I kind of want to get someone else's perspective of what they. How they feel about the song or what. What they create off of what I've created instead of just doing everything. Yeah. And honestly, like, that hasn't changed. I mean, I did the COVID art for freaking out and ruin my day, and I had friends of mine do, like the text. But I'm, like, a very collaborative person. And I also just think, like, I, as an artist, I have such a hard time. Like, even when I moved into my house, I was like, okay, I can't put art on the wall because it's just too much pressure. And I think it'll come to me in time. It wasn't this instantaneous thing for me. And I think with the COVID art, it's the same thing. I just put way too much pressure on it. And so for me, it's so much easier to just kind of.

11:19 Either it is kind of an in the moment thing for me, and I'm like, oh, that. I really feel good about that. Let's just go with it. Or it'll just kind of spin out of control and take way too long. So I've just decided to work with other artists. I also just love it. And, yeah, I think it kind of just proves the point that, like, I've kind of fizzled out of being a visual artist, and now I'm kind of, like, speaking through music. And I think it's kind of just a testament to being an artist as well. Just the kind of aspect of, like, yeah, you can go from being a graphic artist or a painter or a poet, and now you can be a musician, and then you can be a filmmaker. And, you know, you can have the same kind of themes and messages throughout your art, but it can kind of take different, you know. Yeah, no, yeah. 100%. I was gonna say, like. I mean, I guess, like, Halsey would be a good example. Like, she's a painter, but also an incredible artist. Right. Right in the way where she does paintings and. But it's not something that solely. She'll go out and make a bunch of paintings and do an exhibit and sell it or, you know, whatever. It's. It's more like just something else. But, like, you are awesome at doing the graphic things, but you want to focus and songwriting. So you're like, well, I'm Gonna do the songwriting.

12:40 Yeah. I think it's just transformed. Like, I. It's weird because that. That inspiration used to be so strong. Like, oh, my gosh, I just watched this, like, insane film, or I just read this crazy book or I heard this story and, like, I want to make something out of it. And now that's kind of, for me, music. And so it's like, the same itch, but just in a different form. And I think that, like, yeah, it's. It's really kind of interesting how, like, just as, like, an artist of, like, very different mediums, I kind of can, like, feel that, like, come out in different ways. And you kind of studied that, right? At usc. Wasn't your. Your mage or something with, like. Yeah, like, story lines?

13:26 Right. Wasn't it? Yeah. Super ironic that, like, I ended up. Well, I was actually supposed to go for, like, international affairs, but that clearly. Oh, is that, like, politics? That was just because I, like, spent my whole high school experience doing, like, all these politically charged. Yeah. Ships and, like, I think interesting, especially in la, like, the whole, like, thing is they train you to, like, you apply in based off of the human being that you've become. And so that's where I ended up. But I was like, okay, this. This major's cool. It's. There's no one kind of, like, slapping you on the wrist about what's right and wrong. And I think for me, like, I have always just created art for, you know, in what, like, feels right to me in the moment. Like, I've never been one to be like, let's make this. Because everyone's gonna like that.

14:20 I'm like, let's make this because it feels right for me, and if it resonates with people, like, that's the goal. But I'm kind of less of like, let's. Let's go viral, and I'm more like, let's. Let's, like, tap into someone's feelings and let's, like, have the light bulb go off like it did for me when I was 16 years old or 17 years old, trying to, like, find myself. So I love that. Yeah. Because out of all. I mean, a majority of artists that I've spoke to all have a story with, you know, the moment that my video went viral is when I did it. You know, I was in my hotel room and I just turned the camera on and played this one song or.

15:00 Yeah. But then they had spent, you know, six months prior trying to make everything look exactly how they feel. Like people will perceive it in A way. It's like, once you start, stop trying and just be, like, totally authentic. That's when it. People, you know, will gravitate toward it and latch on to it. It's Right. I can also feel that, you know, and, like, I. I don't like pushing this, like, creativity. It's like, I only do it when it feels kind of organic and. Right. I just actually did a writing camp last weekend, and it was kind of just centered around, like, let's create music. And I took a few days off work, and I had a few producers come out, and I. There were moments where I was like, ooh. I just don't. I don't feel inspired right now. So I'd, like, go for a walk or I'd read a book or I'd do, you know, to, like, kind of re.

15:56 You know, like, spark my mind. But for me, yeah, it's not like, let's, like, try to take all the creativity out of me right now and put it on a piece of paper. I'm like, oh, I can't do that. So, yeah, it was a good learning lesson, but we did make a lot of great stuff, too, so that's awesome. You were doing stuff in the sync world, I believe, also. Yes. Are you still doing that or. No? Yeah. So I. In my little, like, quest to figure out what I want to do in the music industry, I kind of figured out that it is less about the music business for me and more about the intersection between music and film.

16:40 And I think that's part of the reason why I started this music blog was this kind of interest in kind of shining a light on other artists and also, like, trying to have their music heard. But a lot of that came from my interest as a kid watching TV and film and seeing these, like, moments where a song comes on and it, like, stays with you. And so I got really into music supervision, and I've been doing that freelance supervising, and then I'm also working in music licensing. And it's really, really cool. I think it, like, you know, kind of hones into, like, my creativity, but also, like, the kind of entrepreneurial business side I have.

17:24 And, yeah, it's. It's great. It's. It's a really awesome industry. And I think it's also so important for musicians. Oh, yeah. I mean, it's like shows like Grey's Anatomy. Like Broke Bands. Yeah, no, exactly. Like, their soundtrack, you know what I mean? It's insane. And also just meeting those people that have, like, completely, like, changed the industry. I mean, Those, those needle drops are like make or break for the business and make or break for people's careers and also just like creating moments and then on top of it they're also creating these huge viral moments like bringing back an artist's career from the 90s. Right, right. I'm like this is insane. And like obviously half of the the world is like what is this? These like 15 year old kids are listening to Kate Bush. You know, I was just gonna say Kate Bush. Or like what's nuts is I have an 8 year old son and he watches that Skibidi toilet thing on YouTube and yeah, which is like the. I. It's the most ridiculous thing ever. But it's got so many views and.

18:31 But anyway like his favorite band legit is Tear Shafir. That's insane because of it. Because they, you know, just the music they always use are using all these like cool bands from the 80s, like New Order or stuff like that. And so he's like so about Tears. For Fears and he's like this eight year old new wave like 80s kid, seriously. And so like then I'll play in bands, I'm like oh, what do you think about this? And I'll play him like Joy Division or something and he'll like the song, oh, this is cool. You know, and then we'll like put on Split. But he has no idea what I'm doing. He just knows that I'm like, oh, I think maybe you'll like this. But it's just based off that genre that he's was not really cool. Like that's part of like the thing for me and I think like, yeah, I mean it's just so incredible and like just on top of it. I was at the, the Gilded Music Supervisors Awards this past year and they had my like biggest musical inspiration, Mark Ronson, like presenting an award and talking about how insanely important the business has been for his career. And same with Billie Eilish and I'm like this is it. Like these, these usages were kind of a big, big piece of these like the top of the top, you know, and like just seeing that and like it's, it's so cool and just the process and you know it really at the end of the day is only like 20 creative. But

20:02 it's so important. It's so important. Yeah. I do remember you talking about like loving to discover music like growing up and like with SoundCloud. I think you Doja Cat was an example you gave. Oh my God. You like listen to it when you're in high school and then it like yeah, no, it's insanely massive now. But like all those are. A lot of those artists were like, like even like Kay Trinada, like you know, it flume. Like these people were like just posting Demos on, on SoundCloud and like it was clearly hitting the random like 16 year old kid on her school bus ride from Bel Air to wherever. AKA yeah. Yeah. And like yeah. It's so crazy. So crazy. I like went back just out of curiosity to see like what my first ever like was and it was this song by Chrome Sparks and he's like producing for a bunch of people now and like it's just so cool to see just like how these people's careers have changed over time. Yeah, that's what I probably told you this last time.

21:06 But that's what drew me. I was on the radio for a long time like in San Diego and, and San Francisco and that's what drew it to me. It was like meeting people that have like played this band for the first time and then it became like, you know, and I had a moment like that with that band, the Struts. I got to play their song for the first time. I just kept playing it on my show and then you know, that could have been me song became huge and ballsy. Covered it in like a. And like sing two and like it was just like cool to be part of this moment with this band that you know, ended up getting big, but it's so few and far between because there's so many artists that you'll play once and think that they're gonna do something and then it just never happens. Right? Yeah, no, I mean I think that it definitely is just.

21:52 Just shows me like kind of also just stepping outside of like me as an artist and kind of rew really looking at it from a creative perspective of like what would, what would work in this moment. And also kind of like the biggest thing is like working with a director and like trying to like bring their vision to life too. So yeah, it's really cool and it's really important and I think a lot of artists are kind of realizing outside of the one hit viral video like that getting the usage is the thing that can actually bring them on the back end the royalties and then on the kind of front facing and like the fans and the tickets. Right, Exactly.

22:36 So yeah, I mean it's, it's been really cool and I think like, you know, the, the biggest thing for me is just the fact that it's like been such a passion for me and like realizing that it's a real job. You have to be a taste maker, right? You could, right? Yeah. And that's kind of always been my thing. And I think with my music, like I. I make what I think sounds cool and what I would listen to and like kind of talk about the important lessons and things that I'm figuring out, you know, as a 24 year old girl. And also just like being a storyteller, some of the stories are. Come from somewhere in here and like this could be such a cool movie or like, let's write it into a song. Like, why not? But it all comes from this kind of visual standpoint of like. Yeah, I can kind of like visualize it as if I'm like watching a movie and I. That's kind of where I realized the supervision stuff makes sense for me is like, even my songwriting comes from this like visual storytelling aspect too. So.

23:40 Love it. Yeah. So obviously Blue Eyes was the song that you had at the time and you've put out 1, 2, 3, like four other additional ones. So you put out California Dreams. Freaking out ruin my day in arms of another so kind of tell me. Because basically when we left off the conversation was Blue Eyes was about to come out. So I know that you had songs that you've written during COVID You said you had about an EP worth of songs and you were excited about putting out the new music. Did that all kind of go as planned or did everything shift and are these totally brand new songs or. Yeah, like. Yeah, I guess kind of pick. Pick up where we left off in a way. So I think a big lesson I've learned between now and when we spoke is that things can kind of come out of left field. Things you don't expect to happen and you kind of just have to like show up and deal with them. And for me, I was like, I think I released the song in January 2021 and then I released California Dreams in March. And then I was thrown into like, okay, I'm graduating in three months, so I need to figure out my school stuff and get it done and then I can keep releasing music.

24:55 My goal was just to like literally just keep releasing and keep doing it. And I think, yeah, basically. Long story short, I'm this extremely like, I. I've dealt with anxiety and OCD like my whole life and I've talked about it a lot in kind of like press interviews. And I think a lot of it kind of. You can hear it in the lyrics in my music and talk about it on social media. But, like, right after graduating from college, I basically found this bump above my collarbone and was like, that's not supposed to be there. So I went to the doctor, and I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

25:37 It's so insane to even say out loud. And I went through. I had chemotherapy, and I went through the whole thing, and I. Yeah, I mean, like, every part of me, like, I basically kind of, like, had to really look inward, and this very. Grew up in la, had a very kind of, I guess you could say the life that you expect, the kind of person you don't expect this to happen to. And so I kind of accredit my totally being overly OCD and anxious to figuring this out and being like, okay, cool. You can love those things about yourself. And, yeah, I mean, I've learned a lot. And I. During that whole process, I was accepted into Stargate's online school, like, completely randomly forgot I'd applied to it.

26:32 And, like, right when I started treatments, I was accepted to that program. So I was making music and writing with people all over the world every other week. So I kept doing the music through everything. But I think for me, as an artist, I kind of, like, my perspective really changed online. Like, what's the goal here? What kind of messages do you want to be saying? And, you know, also, just, like, how can I make an impact? That's kind of, like, my big thing. And I think, yeah, the music has shifted a lot, and I think that's because it's kind of gone in the direction of, like, where I really am passionate.

27:14 And also my work, too. I mean, I spent that period of time, too, like, watching a lot of TV and, like, doing a lot of research on sync. And also, like, in these online sessions with people all over the world and, like, them talking about the importance of sync for their careers. And so it kind of was this big moment of really looking in the mirror. And I think I'm definitely, like, still the same person I was before, but now I kind of have this, like, extra layer of, like, you know, backbone and strength and bravery and resilience that, like, now I kind of bring into my art. And. Yeah, I've been healthy for two years. Oh, wow. Okay. I was gonna ask. That's amazing.

28:00 Congratulations. Yeah, but, yeah, it's this kind of like, totally crazy, unexpected thing. And so I kind of came back with the song freaking out, and that was the song that I was like, this is not only is like the. The title super ironic because I'm a freaker outer, but. And everyone would understand that, especially with that news, right? Yeah, yeah, exactly. But I think for me, like, the. Yeah, the song itself is. Is just kind of very, you know, it kind of has to just do with, like, community. And a lot of my music has to do with, like, community and not letting people, I mean, ruin my kind of self explanatory. It's like not letting the little things get to you and not letting those people, you know, the meaningless chatter get in your way.

28:52 And. Yeah, I mean, there's a lot kind of more, I guess, strength and valor in my music now. And I think that's kind of why I went rock. Not only is it like my, like, thing, but I think that, like, it also kind of has the sonic kind of theme to it, meaning because of me. So, yeah, I did have this, like, hiatus, but it kind of wasn't, you know, it was one of those things where life was like, okay, time to shift our. Right. Yeah. It wasn't like, oh, I decided to go do this for. Yeah, it's like you literally got, you know, dealt this hand that you couldn't, you know, not deal with. Right. And I think for me, like, I was 22 years old. Like, I had a job lined up. Like, I was literally about to go. Like, I actually did start working full time. Like, I had a job, like, literally a job offer right out of college. And yeah, I mean, sometimes that happens and you just gotta, like, show up.

29:52 And I think for me, like, I was lucky enough to be able to, like, use art as an outlet and really kind of focus that time on, like, what is important to you and, like, what. What matters to you and how can you make that happen. And like, literally within four months of, like, finishing treatments, I was like, already back at work and like, damn. So it's like. It's so crazy. But yeah, and I. Some other, like, kind of exciting news is about. I want to say, like, right around the time when I, like, really kind of started finding my sound in September, October, I reconnected with a few friends of mine that have a production company. And they were like, caroline, like, you should, you know, consider doing a podcast. And I thought that was kind of funny because I've never been behind the camera. I've never been. Or, sorry, in front of the camera. That's never been my thing. And like, as someone interested in film and being in post and like, the music side and also as an artist, like, it was just never a thought.

30:56 And so I've been doing that and I have this amazing really great kind of podcast that I've been working on that is really just kind of focused on sharing my story and so that's coming as well. Oh, wow. So you've been working on it, but you haven't released it yet? No, no, we, we've just been working on it, but it's. It's been really very much out of my comfort zone and something that I again, like, never thought I'd do. But then, you know, I could tell my 18 year old self that you're, you're making music and that person would be like, what? So, yeah, it's really exciting and I think it's being dealt really crazy cards at such a young age.

31:47 I think I was kind of given this opportunity to kind of come back stronger and come back kind of more confident in myself and kind of start to see the importance of little things and less of this kind of fast paced, superficial, materialistic city that I've. I've known my whole life. Yeah. Wow. Okay, so you obviously, you get this news and that puts everything on hold for quite some time. Yes. When do you, like, are like for example, freaking Out? Was that a song that you had? Was that an older song? Or is everything that's coming out now written, like kind of post all of the, the treatment and all of that? Yeah, so actually Freaking out was written before. That was a song that I did right around the time I did California Dreams. I think that was gonna be the next single.

32:47 And so I just was like, I was honestly like not even gonna put Freaking out out because I had this kind of like new, like I had really kind of focused in on like what sounds important to you and less about like production style and more like lyrically and just kind of like also finding my voice as a songwriter and as a singer. And I think like, even just like looking back, like, I do think like my vocals have gotten stronger and just kind of like these things as an artist that I think the time and the energy and the hours spent, like you can kind of hear it. And I was like, this song, you know, has resonated with friends of mine and family. And I think that like, for me I was like, okay, this is something that I, I should put out and share with the world. And so yeah, it did kind of come from the, the before, but I think the message I found in it after was actually different than the song that I had initially written, which is actually really Funny too. That's interesting. Yeah.

33:54 Yeah. I mean, obviously the song holds up and it's like, well, this actually, I can even relate to this in a different way more so now. Right? Yeah. I mean, that's the coolest part of, like, you know, music is, Is the fact if people actually, again, like, listen to the lyrics, which, like, I really think people should do. You can find so many different meanings in it. And it's the same thing as, like, going into an art gallery and looking at paintings. It's like the artist has their idea of what they want people to see, but they don't have it plastered up next to the art. Like, this is about this. Yeah. They're not like, this is a tree and a cat and a whatever. And you're like, this is abstract. Like, I'm gonna make whatever decision I want. And I think that's also why I have kind of multifaceted, like, themes in my music, is because I want people to have their own way of resonating with it. I love that. I love that you brought up Paula. Cause I have two of his. His friends over here. No way.

34:56 Yeah. That's so funny. Yeah, him and Shepard Fairy are like, my favorite artists. But that's awesome. Yeah, I'm big, big, big on art. I have, like, an Andy Warhol in here, and it's not real. And Mark Ryden, who's also one of my favorite artists, and he did a cover of. He did one of Tyler the Creator's covers, which is really cool, but he has some really cool surrealist art. Let me look them up, because I might know the name sounds familiar. What is it? Tyler, Mark Ryden. His stuff's weird, though. And I. Yeah, my mom. Oh, rad. I, I, I know who this is. Come in and they're like, what is that? I'm like, you know what? I like it, so whatever. No, I love that. That's rad.

35:50 Yeah. That's so cool. Okay, cool. Very cool. Awesome. I love finding out about new, like, artists like that. Like, I just like that. Yeah. But yeah, I mean, it's the same thing as, like, I literally had white walls for a while, and I was like. Because I don't know, I feel like when you walk into a room, like, the art has such an energy, and you need to, like, really, like, curate it. It. And so now I have art on every wall, basically. So do I just. I have to, like. Like I said, I'll have to sit down and, like, map it out. Okay. I have all these. This art pieces. Okay. How is this gonna look? I'll draw it. You know what I mean? Yeah. No, I mean, it takes anal about it. It takes time, for sure.

36:36 100. I spent, like, three weeks, like, just figuring out the art working this place. So it's hard because you have to be in the room all the time, and you're like, well, I have to stare at this, like, every day, so. It better, like, better look good. Yeah, I'm like. Or if it's. Oh, I'm so If it's crooked. Oh, man. Yeah, that's not. It'll drive me nuts. But people that have, like, stock pictures of, like, zebras and, like, whatever. I'm, like, all power to you. But for me, like, I need to, like, feel something when I'm in a room full of art. So that's. Cheers to those people, though, because I wish. I wish that it was that easy for me, but it's. Yeah, just hang up anything, like. Yeah, it doesn't matter.

37:18 This looks kind of cool. So not that easy. Yeah. Well, tell. Oh, yeah. Arms of Another is the new one. Tell me about that song and what do you have coming up? Yeah, so that one, I'm. I mean, I think that's the one that, like, to date that. That I'm, like, really, like, the most proud of. And, yeah, the message behind it. It was so cool working with my friend on the COVID She's so talented, and it really felt like one of those songs that just. We kind of got in the studio and, like, we had no idea where it was going. I kind of, like, knew that song is really, really important to me because it really has to do with, like, connection and friends and family and, like, all the things that, like, I've realized, like, if you really strip everything cool art on your walls and the clothes and the. You know, everything, like, friends and family are the most important. And for me, like, when I was going through my treatments and my illness and all these things, like, family and friends were, like, the core, and the things that, like, really, like, meant the most to me. Second was art, obviously. Like, the music and the film. Who's gonna be there for you? Yeah, emotionally. Yeah. Yeah. But. And that's all at the end of the day, like, that's, like, me and myself and, like, kind of learning to be my own best. Yeah. So that song really kind of has to do with that. And I think that kind of was, like, the hope for me is, like, people kind of, like,

38:48 resonating with that. Obviously, the hook is really catchy, and it's A fun song and it has kind of mystery to it, but yeah, so that obviously just came out and it's been really exciting and people have liked it. And I think, like, since I've been releasing music again, I've gotten like a couple messages here and there. And that's. That's kind of like the reason I'm doing it. Like, people from like, opposite ends of the earth being like, I really like this song. Like, that's like why I'm doing it, you know? So it feels really good to know that, like, it's resonating and it's hitting people the way that I was hoping it would. And we have a lot of great music coming out, I think, like, yeah, I mean, I have been just, you know, even if I don't know, like, what I have in mind before I get in this, in a session, we kind of get in there and it just like happens. And I think that is kind of like the beauty of like, really trying to really finding my sound and my footing as a songwriter and an artist. So, yeah, I mean, I have some music lined up. I think the next single hopefully will be out in October.

39:59 But yeah, consistency is the goal right now and like, really kind of trying to share and put myself out there and hope that people resonate with it. That's cool. I love it. I have one more question. I asked you the same exact one last time, but maybe your. Your answer will change in the three years. If you have any advice for aspiring artists. This is a good question. I wonder if it's the same answer or not. I remember what your answer was because I watched it. Okay. I'm not gonna tell you if you. Okay, yeah, same answer or not. I'm not gonna tell you. I think honestly I. I think, you know, do it for yourself, don't do it for anyone else. And that's kind of, you know, a little far fetched because there's always this idea of like, you're gonna be making a song and you kind of want it to hit certain corners or, you know, you want to push it a certain way. And there's all these trends and there's just, for me, like, that's all noise and at the end of the day, like, it will reach the places it's meant to, obviously have to put the work in.

41:13 And these days you can't just like, release a record and hope people will find it or like, put it on the right person's desk. It really does require that work. But I think if it comes from you, for you. It'll, you know, go where it's meant to go. Bringing it backwards, bringing it backward, Bringing it backward, Bringing it backward, Bring it backward, bring it backwards.