Interview with Aiyana-Lee

1 (27s): Hello. 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 chat with Ayana Lee. Over zoom video. Ayana was born into a very, very musical household. I Ana's mom is a 17 time platinum songwriter. Her uncle is David Ruffin of the temptations. Her grandfather was the famed American soul singer, Jimmy Ruffin. So she's got music in her blood. She was born and raised in London, ended up moving to Los Angeles at 15 years old. She talks about how she got into music, obviously through her mom, but she started recording and singing songs, writing music at a very, very, very early age. 1 (1m 10s): She was touring with her mom opening up for her at five, six years old. We talk about her move to Los Angeles and dive real deep into her new record, which is called Wednesday's child side a. She breaks down the songs and she gets super vulnerable on this record, real heavy subject matter. And her mom was actually able to co-write the record with her and engineer, her vocals, which is amazing. You can watch our interview with Anna Lee on our Facebook page and YouTube channel at bringing it backwards. It would be awesome 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 apple podcasts or Spotify, we'd love it. 1 (1m 50s): If you follow us there as well and hook us up with a five star review, it means the world. 2 (1m 55s): I appreciate your support. If you follow and subscribe to our podcasts, wherever you listen to pod 1 (1m 60s): Yes. Or bringing it backwards with Ayana Lee, this is all about you and your journey and music. And congratulations on the record that came out today. 3 (2m 10s): Thank you so much. It's been a long time coming. You know how it is, you're just waiting for it to come out. So it really does feel like I gave birth. So I mean, the project's called Wednesday's child. And let me tell you what it feels like that motherfucker was Burton. Oh shit. Can I, can I swear on chorus? You can 1 (2m 29s): Say whatever you want. 3 (2m 30s): It's my day to day, everyone's letting me swear. 1 (2m 33s): Amazing. Why would we censor you? I mean, come on. 3 (2m 36s): Oh, okay. Okay. I took that to heart. Thank you, man. 1 (2m 41s): Of course. My pleasure. Yeah. Well, congratulations on the record. Oh, I want to talk about the record, but I also want to hear your, just your journey into this whole music industry. And I know you've got some music in your family, so I don't know if we can touch on that a little bit. 3 (2m 57s): So, first of all, 1 (2m 59s): I'm wondering where you're born and raised. 3 (3m 1s): I was born and raised in London, England, which sucks because I don't have no accent. So I can't even like be cool in America. Cause I know he loves a British accent. So I got myself fucked up. Right. Because I don't know How it happened, but when I was eight years old, I guess I watched too much animal 10. I don't know what happened, but I just lost because I went from hello, mate, what are we doing to hello, mate? What we do at like, I don't know why just switch from back to that. But yeah, born and raised in London, England, I was born to a seven times platinum, six songwriter, single mom, you know, there was music always, you know, around the house, you know, there was such a musicality that I was, I was raised with and you know, again, just having musicians come in and out of the house and just getting different genres from our beats pop to just brought to everything I was raised around that. 3 (3m 53s): And then David buffin from the temptations is my uncle and Jimmy Ruffin is my grandfather. So I was just, I was like outbursts. I was like, there was no going back. I was birthed. And I was like, okay, like we're ready to do it. So 1 (4m 8s): I like that though. Cause some kids I've, I've had this conversation with people before, like their kids aren't interested, you know what I mean? Like yeah. 3 (4m 15s): Which is okay too, which is okay too. But I think you have to naturally be gravitated towards the music. I don't think, you know, cause I feel like a lot of musical families. Right. I feel like they do force a lot of kids to get into the business and do the same thing. But again, like for me I was the one who, you know, wanted to be in the studio and was inspired constantly by the work my mom was doing with all these, you know, incredible, just, just, just top notch, incredible musicians. And she really taught me the importance of lyrics and songwriting and musicality and melodies. And again, like I was just so inspired growing up and I think even having the Motown kind of background and the family, it just kind of gave me this freedom to explore different genres and not be afraid of, of bringing different sounds and different rhythms to, you know, music. 3 (5m 6s): But that, that that's in this project right now. I feel like we have such a great variety that that doesn't necessarily, it's not necessarily caged by genre. 1 (5m 15s): Yeah, no for sure. I completely agree. I love the record. I had a chance to hear a little advanced version of it, but then I was listening to it earlier today as well on a, on Spotify. So it's, it's, it's a killer record. I'm real quick on the I'm I'm still curious on this London accent, the, the accident, do you, do you use this slang at least like growing up or was it just like, you know, people would say loads, you got loads of blah, blah, blah. I mean, I'm just, and I'm totally stereotyping, but I'm curious, 3 (5m 47s): You know what I mean? Look, my Twitter handle is identity in it. So like, you know, it's still what we still be British out hot, you know what man on the opposite. Right. But you know, no, I think, you know, I have a lot of the mannerisms and maybe values British values and like, you know, different pers you know what I'm going to say a different perspective on just just different cultures in general, there were so many different cultures I was raised with and just such an incredible diversity in England of, of people, of foods, of fashion. You know, I was really blessed to be able to be in an area where I got to experience so much of that culture. 3 (6m 29s): And then I think, you know, moving from London to Los Angeles at 15, that gave me again, going into Los Angeles, it gave me a wreck being born and raised in London. It, it, it gave me that foundation of not falling into the Hollywood trap. You know what I mean? Which again, that solid foundation, I think just as a person is so important and you know, again, I was raised by my single mom, big shout out to the single moms, single people out there. No, not the single people having shots and what we put to it because I'm single to single parents shit, you know, shout out to single parents, but you know, big time up to my mom because, you know, I really got to experience again that diversity and not only culture, but music. 3 (7m 12s): So it gave me, you know, a wider range of, of musicality and also perspective on music because I feel like these days, and just in general, people try to box you into a certain category or a box or you're supposed to fit in each day here, but not go there. So, you know, again, just having that variety gave me an open space to be able to explore what I wanted to do as an artist. 1 (7m 38s): Were you traveling back to the states quite a bit with your mom being a songwriter like or where you work or was she mainly working in London? 3 (7m 45s): It was a, she, she, she mainly worked in Europe period, but we did a lot of, there was a lot of zooms and a lot of like over the, over the phone, like Celine Dion could call her and be like you providing this song. And like, she has totally incredible experiences. Like even just for being overseas, you know what I mean, people calling her and be like, yo incredible record. Like, thank you so much. But so, so, you know, it, it, I think what happened with being in London is we got school point where we felt like, you know, again, I wanted to chase my dreams to the fullest and she really supported me throughout that time. And again, you know, we moved to Los Angeles and be last, you know, we went, broke being in Los Angeles, you know, which one of my songs is called rich dudes. 3 (8m 29s): And it literally says like I'm broken a city food, rich kids. So, you know, traveling from London to Los Angeles and then moving to Los Angeles was really, really hard. And it's really hard when you're from, you know, not just another state or city, but you know, from a different country, it's like learning from ground zero again. So I think it's very, it's very, 4 (8m 59s): And we're back with breaking news, Coke. Zero sugar might be the best Coke ever. That's right. Jam mix shirt. Ooh. Yes. This tastes like the best Coke ever to me. 1 (9m 11s): I need to try it first 5 (9m 15s): With zero sugar and refreshingly delicious is Coca-Cola zero sugar, the best Coke ever pick up a half liter, six pack from your local giant today. 3 (9m 26s): Just the cultures are very different. But again, going back to her, you know, she, she did a lot of work over zoom and you know, they'd gone off of the internet. You know what I mean? That we can even do this now. 1 (9m 36s): Right. I know it's insane. It's amazing. Wow. Well, okay. So very early age, obviously you're totally immersed with music. Are you going to the studio? Like, do you remember your first time, like vividly noticing a studio or like at two or three? I mean, I don't know. I can't think back far that far in my life, but I don't know if you have this memory. 3 (9m 59s): Yeah. You know what, weirdly enough, I remember like going into the studio, like, because the thing is, is my mom had a home studio, so that was another thing constantly. So I would just walk in, I'll read that. I think it's my son. I think he's my time domain. Let me get on the mic. So, you know, you know, I'm grateful cause she allowed me to actually to actually sit and do, do some shit, like two years old. And as a baby, like I got to experience it. She gave me the opportunity to, to, to get on the mic and do that. And then again, you know, she was doing tours throughout Europe and I joined her on tour and you know, it kind of went from her being the main act to me opening. 3 (10m 39s): And then I became the main net. This is a cute little chubby kid, like singing and performing. And she was the opening act. Cause people like, damn that kid is, is doing something. I don't know what she's doing, but she's doing something. So, you know, I mean I was singing my ass at five years old. I'm not gonna, I'm not going to tap. You know, there's a six-year-old video. There's a video of me at six years old singing, listen, I mean the passion, a load, I gotta hand it to myself. The passion alone really took it there. So, you know, shout out to six year old me, shout out to her for taking me on tour and yeah, no great experiences as a child and very vivid memories and videos. So yeah. I mean, look, I've always been gravitated to the studio and get getting the music done. So 1 (11m 20s): You're touring that early on. That's incredible. Yeah. It's five, six years old. Wow. 3 (11m 26s): Yeah. I'm excited to do it again. Cause shit like I know there's been a pandemic and everything and it's, it's really, yeah, it's been so crazy, but, but yeah, it's been a Benz, you know, and it's just been hard for, I think a lot of artists to not be able to perform and do what they love to do in person, but at the same time, you know, to flip it on the other side, I think it's, it's been a great time for against songwriters to sit and really dive in deep into what they want to talk about and what, what they want to explore. Even again, just as a person, apart from just being the artist. You know, I think there's a big thing of establishing who you are as a person before anything else, because that that's, that's that reflects into your music. 3 (12m 14s): I feel, I feel like you were just being honest, I think is the most vital thing you could do. You know, I don't think it's about chasing or copying anybody or trying to touch, you know, you might, for example, like I feel like even for me, a lot of people are like, what do you listen to? But the variety is crazy. Like we got rock, we got R and B pop, you know? So, so I feel like when, when, again, we're in the studio creating music where we're just creating, just not even thinking of genre, we're just creating a body of work and really digging deep again into what I want to say as a person, as an artist, just as a being. 1 (12m 58s): Yeah, no, I, I completely agree with you. And even we'll looking back at 6, 5, 6 year old, you and doing these tours and just kind of being all like, always in that space. Like, were you, were you singing songs that your mom had written or like what were you performing at that time 3 (13m 16s): From, from I was riding a very early age. Yeah. I was, I would write these little songs man. And I would do like, like I did twinkle, twinkle little star with like a, a hip hop be under it. I was doing my own remixes man before they weren't big, you know, so, you know, I would do stuff like that. I would cover a lot of songs. Like I would do a lot of Beyonce on that. And you know, a lot of just fixed now that I'm thinking about it, I'm like taking notes, it's choosing a lot of heavy singers. Christina, 1 (13m 53s): Let's get <em></em> taken on like the hardest songs 3 (13m 59s): She was brave in it. But yeah, just, just those, you know, Christina Aguilera, you know, hurt doing those kinds of songs and listen Beyonce and, you know, emotions, Mariah, like, you know, I think doing that at an early age really helped me be fearless now, you know what I mean? Like doing, getting all those experiences out at an early age really makes me just as an artist and creator feel confident even to fail. Cause I feel like so a lot of people are afraid to fail, but I think it's an opportunity to grow and to learn not to be cheesy or anything, but there's no, there's, there's no real failure in this life. 3 (14m 41s): There's only lessons for bro. 1 (14m 43s): That's a, that's a powerful statement. I mean, because a lot of people are too afraid to release their song or too afraid to get on stage. And once you get that hurdle, it's, it's a totally different world I would imagine. 3 (14m 55s): Yeah, exactly. And again, like a lot of people who are like, man, I just want to be a songwriter and be a singer. I want to be this or that. But just, I think it gets to a point just, just do it like you, you are that like embody it, like walk and talk and breathe and write like a songwriter. Just do it, just get out there and, and start writing songs and guess what a million might be shit, but you're going to get one at some point, shit, am I doing at one point, that's going to start to sound good. And you know, again, you know, whether that's something more even experimental that you might think, you know, other people won't like where this isn't commercial enough, explore that cause you might be setting the next trend. 3 (15m 35s): So I think again, just, you know, getting and diving deep into who you are, even just lyrically, what you want to say and you know, musically, what, how you want to express yourself. You just embody that to the fullest and start presenting yourself as that. You know, 1 (15m 53s): I think a lot of people have problems with, and I, I still do to this day. I mean, I did radio for 15 years and I've been doing this for a long time and you kind of get that imposter syndrome. Like what if somebody asks you, like, what do you do? And you're like, I'm a songwriter and you don't have like some catalog of, you know, hits or whatever. It's kind of like a thing where I don't know. It's, it's something that you're like trying to, I don't, I don't know. I feel like you're almost trying to overexplain it or like I I'm a songwriter, but like it's an identity you have to kind of embrace. 3 (16m 23s): Well, I mean, it can, it can be daunting, but you have to remember at the same time, like these days, like it, it just takes one session. It takes one song to be that, that next company to be on that come up. You know what I mean? So, I mean, I've known songwriters who had years they'd be, they haven't had a catalog, right? They haven't had that, that, oh my God, I worked with dah, dah, dah, dah, dah. But all of a sudden, one day they just happened to be in the right session, happened to be in that bright situation to where now they've got this one hit with, with this guy or this person, or now they're writing for Justin. Now they're re writing for sweetie. Now they're writing for out of nowhere. So to me, it's like, again, embodying that, attracting that in your life. 3 (17m 7s): It's not about a catalog. It's just about putting in the work. It is a lot of, you know, talking and putting yourself out there at the same time. You, I mean, you know, you can have the work, but if you're not putting yourself out there and in those situations, it's, it's hard to expose it. But again, like the internet world where it's such a world where, and don't get me wrong, like algorithms and all of that on Tik TOK and Instagram and everything else, it's really hard. Right. Because it's such an abundance of content now. But at the same time, I think the only way to do is again, get out there, right. With other people, see how that is collaborate, you know, get out there on the internet. I'm sure there's, you know, a lot of songwriting pages and a lot of things and you know, different things that you can really get into group groups that, you know, there's just, so there's such a bigger opportunity, I think for songwriters, right? 3 (18m 3s): Just a bigger opportunity to really get immersed in that world. So again, like, I don't think it should be daunting for anybody because everyone has to start somewhere. Everyone has to start. 1 (18m 15s): Yeah, exactly. You're exactly right. And with the technology nowadays, I mean, it's, you know, it's easier to kind of record a record. You don't put up $15,000 to record a song or, you know, you can kind of get your feet wet with your laptop in a USB mic. 3 (18m 37s): You're good. And like there's beats on YouTube. Like a lot of people start just by writing you on YouTube beats. Like, it doesn't matter, like just do it however you need to do it. But you know what I mean? So there's no judgment in anybody's process, but just, you know, I think it comes a point where you just gotta do it. And that, that, that that's, that's all there is to do, you know? 1 (18m 57s): Yeah. Completely agree. Well, I want to talk to you about getting into Los Angeles at 15. So you come to Los Angeles for 15, is it because your mom's career took her there? It took you guys there or 3 (19m 6s): No, honey, I felt like, I mean, we both felt like it was just time to get out 6 (19m 11s): Finding the right person for the job. Isn't easy. Just ask someone who hired a lounge singer to be their office receptionist. 7 (19m 19s): Hello, this is Mickey Marquis and you've reached the office of Doug and associates. Thank you very much. Catch me Tuesday nights at the hotel Johnson. Hello. 6 (19m 27s): And if you've got an insurance question, you can always count on your local Geico agent. They can bundle your policies, which could save you hundreds, 7 (19m 34s): Doug and associates. This is Mackey market. Hello, 6 (19m 37s): For expert help with all your insurance needs, visit geico.com/local today, 3 (19m 42s): London, and really explore the opportunities in Los Angeles because it is, I mean, it is Hollywood. It is, it is the entertainment capital of little worlds. Again, the opportunity, the opportunity presented themselves. I mean, don't get me wrong at first. It was a lot of bullshit. I'm not going to fucking tap you right now. There was a lot of fucking bullshit, a lot of fake people, but I think, you know, at some point, at some point, you know, you start to be able to navigate yourself and you start to really identify what person, what people are, which what you know, who are the fake people who are kind of giving you the real deal on things. 3 (20m 25s): And then it did get to a point that now, I mean, I'm grateful to be working with LA you and you know, everyone that that's on this project, it's just, it, you know, there's that, that, there's that kind of opportunity that I don't think we would've gotten in London. So I think we just reached, you know, the roof in, in that, in that situation just being in London. So I think it was time to come out and, but don't get me wrong. It's really fucking hard. And you know, again, we went broke being in Los Angeles, lost our child, my top at home and my mom's sacrifice absolutely everything. And it was stated and steamers be proud of, 1 (21m 4s): So you can imagine, but 3 (21m 7s): Yeah, yeah. But again, like putting it into the music and, you know, we, we, we all kind of honed into that and we created rich kids, which is just about, again, being broken as city foods, rich kids, you know, the, the, the, the, again, like Coke on the counter, like the things that I've actually witnessed with my own eyes, people doing and kind of, you know, so many people got so lost in it last night city, you can lose who you are. So, so much easier than I think people understand. So, you know, again, like we'd be, we would eat a lot of canned foods. My mom would sacrifice meals so I could eat, you know, you know, I've seen a lot of, again, drugs and had friends. 3 (21m 52s): Who've had, you know, I'm afraid what's going to happen to them. You know, something could happen today the next day. I don't know. You know, that's the thing about even that city it's so unpredictable, you don't know what's going to happen. There's designer ship everywhere to kind of disguise the sadness, the depression, and the fucked up ness of it. But again, it's, it's, you know, it's, I feel like transitioning from London to Los Angeles just gave me an opportunity to be able to put that experience into a project that I think a lot of people can relate to on a, on a real level, the honesty of it. And, you know, again, I don't think we shied away from just talking about those kinds of things and emotions. 3 (22m 42s): Cause for example, like I think having a song called rich kids and just, just, just, just the whole message behind that. If I had heard that years ago, it would have helped me. It really would have helped me cause I don't, I don't feel like enough people talk about the, the, the darker side of things, because there is such a dark side to the world. Right. And I feel like as artists, we have the responsibility almost to, to portray that and not shy away from those darker and, and, you know, harsher realities. Because if you're always talking about, you know, the sun is side of things that it's not the reality, it's just not the reality. 3 (23m 22s): And people will be like, if my life's supposed to look like this kind of like social media, right. You know, is my life supposed to look like this? No, it's not supposed to look like this. It's not real. So I'm just bringing a reality to the music. I feel like has been pivotal for it for me at least. 1 (23m 39s): Yeah. I think that's an amazing message that you, that you give in these, in the song, because if you think about it, like people that are really, I don't know, maybe I'm just, again, just making up stuff. But I would think that knowing people, like thinking of like the rich school or whatever, those I grew up in San Diego, like just south of LA, I've seen it, the similar paths of people. And you think like, oh my son's in this district with these, you know, other people that have money and everything's going to be great, but it's like, those are the kids that have money to access all the other stuff like you're talking about in the song, you know what I mean? It's not just one area of town. It's like, if you have, if you have their needs and the money, it's, it's, those things are gonna fall in line with, with all of that. 3 (24m 26s): Yeah. And I feel like it's not necessarily, it's a bashing money cause, right. Like it's like, yo shout out to everyone who's made their bread, like made their bread. I'm gonna give them their flowers. Right. And, and, you know, we we're, we don't choose how, how, how life is going to hit us. Right. So, but, but at the same time, you know, I think there is, you know, a different perspective at least that hopefully I can bring to this with, with this record of people who can relate to that situation. I feel like just, just having something that expresses that side of things is so important, the duality. 3 (25m 6s): Right. So, no, I feel like there is an excess of, of music or just portrayal of that kind of highlight wheel of life, whether it is the Ferrari's and the rich stuff. And that kind of illusion of this is everyone's reality. Right. I just want it to flip it and give, give my own perspective and give a perspective that I feel like a lot, the majority of people have, and unfortunately it's not talked about. So that's all it really is 1 (25m 34s): When you came to LA from, from London at 15 years old, are you, I mean, 15 is like when you go to high school, right. Are you going into a regular high school if everyone else? No. 3 (25m 44s): Oh no. So I, I, first of all, I was so pure period. Let me just start that. I was so bullied at school change school sports times, four times, no. Had a lot of bullies to strangle me leaves in my pants. So a lot of shit, but so at 10 years old, you know, thankfully I was taken out of public school and just started to do homeschooling online. And at 15 I graduated high school and I was able to, you know, yeah. I was able to completely then focus on my career. And of course, like, I'm the kind of person who absolutely adores learning. 3 (26m 25s): So, you know, for me, like, I'm sure I'm the, I, you know, I did a little Harvard course, like a year ago. Like I love learning. Right. So, so school's always there. And, you know, again, I got to graduate so early, so I would be able to, you know, really focus and hone in on this career. But, you know, again, like, I think it's, it's such a blessing again, that I was able to do that. And, and really, you know, again, focus on that, get it done at 15, get that opportunity to do that. And, and, you know, I think, I think, you know, it's not one way for everyone. I think everyone thinks, you know, everyone has to do it this way. 3 (27m 6s): It's the private school or it's the public school or it's this or that. But like really it's such an individual thing. And people really underestimate also just bullying. Bullying can be some real tough shit. And it takes a toll and guess what, guess what? Your whole life you have bullies. It doesn't end in school. That's the fucked up thing that nobody tells you after you graduate, you get into your workspace or whatever it may be. And the motherfucker is still there and different faces in different forms. There are always going to be those people who are going to try to tear you down, which again, brings me back to this project where, you know, with Wednesday's child, what we really did is again, it's the whole project. 3 (27m 52s): And what it represents is that of, you know, Wednesday's child, that really means, you know, it's, it's from an 18th century poem, you know, every other day of the week was given blessings and good luck and everything. And the only day that, you know, they had that, that went with a negative connotation was, was Wednesday. So, you know, it was told that, you know, you're gonna have hardships and bad luck your whole life and really go through it. That's what it presented, you know, 18th century poems, you know what I mean? Like those things be crazy, but this is a, this is a title that's been frowned upon for centuries. 3 (28m 32s): You know what I mean? So we really wanted to take this title and put a spin on it. And really what it means again is, is, is, you know, growing up, having those people kind of tear you down, you know, throughout your life, you know, the hardships that you're faced with later with whether it's bullying, whether it's the hardships of the industry, whether it's the hardships of your daily lives, there's so much, we all go through as a collective, as a human, the human race that we can all relate to. And I feel like this whole project kind of has its moments for each kind of subject, whether it's, you know, miserable. I talk about the relationship or lack thereof, a relationship with my father, you know, and, you know, he tried to kill me a bunch of times. 3 (29m 13s): Then he died when I was 13 in a city full of rich kids. So gangster of love, you know, all these things table for three that really talks about, you know, that relationship with yourself and really, you know, again, romanticizing the relationship with yourself. Cause I feel like that's something that's just not, not, not, not, it's not prioritized enough. You know what I mean? That relationship with yourself so special and so spectacular. That's the real person that's going to understand you, no matter what, you will take yourself to the grave. You both sit you a boy by yourself, by yourself. 3 (29m 53s): You better get to know that motherfucker real well. So, you know, it's just prioritizing who you are as a person. And again, this again, to bring it back to the, the kind of roundness and fullness of the project, I think, I think it really embodies every experience I've been through when I think a lot of people go through. 1 (30m 14s): I mean, to be that vulnerable on this record, was that hard or scary for you to be like, okay, I'm really, I'm willing to talk about these subjects. 3 (30m 22s): I think it was, I didn't really think about it. Cause for me, I just liked, it almost feels like a weight being lifted off my chest when we make music. Right. So it feels like it's, to me, it's like therapy. So putting it into a song, it really gets it. It allows the emotions to, to really just be put into the music. So for me, it's just very therapeutic and, and you know, it can be, it can be tough, like sub some records, like we listened to the studio and we started crying. We were like, damn cause it's so real. It is really real. As you know, when you perform it, it brings it all back. So, you know, but at the same time, I'm the kind of person who is such an, I'm a very open person. 3 (31m 5s): And I, I don't like to kind of put on a face, right. So I just kind of like, That's not makeup, I'll do that shit, but I'll expose myself. Like I'm a very real and honest person. So I, at the end of the day, you know, what am I, whatever emotion I can play with, whatever Ron, , I just hope at the end of the day, someone else listens to and goes, damn, I feel that way. And I'm glad that I'm not alone in it. 1 (31m 36s): And when did you, when did you start the project? Was this something that kind of started when like lockdown happen or did it start after that or before that? 3 (31m 45s): No, I think it was, I think locked down pivotal for it because I think again, like, I really had to think of myself as a person, what I wanted to say. Cause I mean, there comes like a Crow, like a crossroads in this industry where you're like, you, you can either kind of follow the, you know, what everyone else is doing. Right. You can either do that or really try to create your own path. And by the way, neither is wrong. I don't think anything's wrong. I don't think there's a wrong way to do it. Right. But again, I mean, who am I will fucking judge seriously. So, so it was seriously, you know, so again, like for me, I had to decide just period, what I wanted to say as an artist, what I wanted to, as an artist, as a person, what do I want to connect with other people on? 3 (32m 34s): What do I want to say? So it, it kind of started with me asking those questions and the project itself took maybe honestly in total, a few days to write the whole thing with like, like it really came very fucking quick. Like, you know, we do like two, three songs a day. It was just flowing like, cause we would, we would, what, what would happen is I would have, like, we all have like a really long fucking discussion would take longer than making the song, you know? So I'd be like talking about again, I had said, there's no songs about being the Google verge kids. 3 (33m 15s): And I'm just like mad about it. You know, let's fucking break some shit, you know, or miserable and all these things. So, you know, it came so quickly and then, you know, my, my incredible mom's 17 times platinum shots and her, she, her produced the record. So 1 (33m 30s): She did, she worked on the record with you. That's cool. You answered my question before I had the chance to ask it. I liked that. 3 (33m 37s): Yeah. And she, she co-wrote on the record as well. So again, just having, also having a partner in crime that really knows the industry already and, you know, she inspires me every day and really again, encourages me to just be who I am and the reason why I'm so open. And so, you know, really feel like I'm allowed to be vulnerable is because of her. And I feel like that's the biggest thing in the society today to feel like you're allowed to be vulnerable, to be allowed to express yourself in, in, in your truest form, in your rise form of expression. So, you know, shout out to, again, some parents out there, but again, the project came very quickly. 1 (34m 20s): Yeah. And that's, that's amazing. You were able to work, work with your mom on it and even she helped the car write some of the songs. That's so cool. 3 (34m 27s): Yeah. It's super sick and that's, I think what makes it even more real. 1 (34m 32s): Yeah. Especially with the subject matter that you're talking about too. I mean, she was there as well. 3 (34m 38s): Yeah. We dug in, so I had a shoulder to cry on and you know, we both trying at one point I'm like a girl 1 (34m 48s): Therapeutic for her as well. 3 (34m 50s): Yeah. Big time. Big time, big time moment. 1 (34m 53s): Well, I appreciate your time. This has been so awesome. I, I, again, thank you so much. I'm real quick question on the record. Cause it's obviously called Wednesday's child side a, I'm gonna ask this generic dumb question. There's probably a side B 3 (35m 11s): Well you're the first one was said that yes, there, there literally is a side view. You are the first one who's asked that particular question and there's going to be a scifi, but, but, but yes, there will be a side B and, and it all leads up to a full length album. So this whole thing has stayed. It's such a storytelling project. So, you know, think we're really taking it in some really dope ways, even visually that I'm excited about. And, and, you know, I'm just excited to continue this, this, this story and this chapter in, in, in my musical journey. I love it. 3 (35m 51s): Yeah. 1 (35m 51s): I love it. Thank you so much for doing this. I have one more quick question real quick. I want to know, although you've been dropping this amazing knowledge, shut the whole thing. I'm curious if you have any advice for an inspiring aspiring artist. 3 (36m 8s): I think the biggest thing for artists is just to really shut the door on, on, you know, people's opinions on, on what's going on, you know, whether it's the charts or like think, oh my God, I got to do the top 40 thing or anything like that. I think it's, it's, it's very important just as an artist to kind of chance about the world, walk everything. And I really sit down and again, explore, there's no wrong way to do it, right. There is no wrong way. There is no rule book. So just sit down, do sessions, do what you need to do. And, and, and don't be afraid to truly express your honesty and your perspective on things. 3 (36m 48s): And it doesn't have to be what everyone else is saying. You know, that's the whole point, like set a trend, do something that's really curated and, and very much, you know, specifically you who you are. And if I think that's the biggest thing as a, as a society, all of us add to it just by being ourselves. So if you can be yourself and again, you know, I think a lot of musicians get it twisted of the fact that you have to be in the music industry and the industry part of it. You can just make music if you want to, right. You don't have to be in that whole system or a game or whatever you want to call it. You don't have to, but if you do choose to just, just really just hone in on who you are and make sure no one, you know, destroys her foundation and just keep strong with it. 3 (37m 34s): And, and that, that's all I really have to say on that. Just, just just know you're not alone. I know us artists, we be going through shit all the time. We got a lot to say, we got a lot. That's been, you know, it's very, it's a very hard world. It's a hard art world. And, you know, being an artist these days, we feel like everything's dependent on, on all algorithm. You know what I mean? So it's, it can be hard at times, right. But just, just staying strong and staying United. And again, being honest with your work, I think is the biggest thing I can, I can, I can say