So there was definitely a lot of learning on the fly, but it was also a lot of learning that I had been doing in the past year or two – just getting more comfortable with recording and production in general. I was also lucky enough to have some friends who are really good at that stuff, like Will Canzoneri, who co-produced the record with me, and I could ask them for help when I needed it. But I also tried to keep a lot of it in-house, just because I wanted it to sound like my record. I wanted it to sound like my vision, so I would try to do as much as I could myself, even if it was a little harder or took a little longer. Because I think that, at the end of the day, I can be proud of this record because I did it – I did it with the help of my friends, but I did it.
How did you go about choosing the collaborators for this album, like Perfume Genius, Julie Byrne, and Jay Som? What was it about their work that made them feel like the right fit for these songs?
It was a mix of things. Some people just fell into my lap, like Julie Byrne – she’s a friend of mine, and I was like, “Hey, do you want to sing on this song?” And she was like, “Sure,” so it was really easy. Same with Jay Som – we’re friends, and I was like, “Hey, do you want to play guitar on this song?” And she was like, “Sure.” So some of it was just people that I knew and that I liked working with, and that I knew would sound good on the songs. But then with Perfume Genius, that was a little different – I had this song, ‘Tenderness’, and I was like, “Who could I get to sing on this song that would do it justice?” And I was just thinking about people that I love, and Perfume Genius was one of them. So I reached out to him and was like, “Hey, do you want to sing on this song?” And he was like, “Sure.” And it was kind of that easy.
But it was also about people who I felt like could bring something to the songs that I couldn’t. Like, I knew that Perfume Genius could bring a vulnerability and a tenderness to the song that I couldn’t necessarily bring myself. And I knew that Julie Byrne’s voice would just sound beautiful on the song that she ended up singing on. And I knew that Jay Som’s guitar playing would add a lot to the songs that she played on. So it was about finding people who I felt like could elevate the songs in a way that I couldn’t do myself, but also people who I knew would be fun to work with and who I trusted to bring something to the table.
Throughout the album, your voice is such a powerful and expressive instrument – how do you approach using it as a tool for storytelling and emotion in your music?
I think it’s something that I’ve been working on for a long time, just getting more comfortable with my voice and finding ways to use it that feel right for me. I think a lot of it has to do with just practice – just singing a lot and recording myself and listening back and being like, “Okay, what do I like about this? What don’t I like about this? What can I do differently?” And just trying different things and seeing what works and what doesn’t work. And also just listening to a lot of different singers and trying to pick up tips and tricks from them – like, how do they hit this note, or how do they phrase this line, or how do they use dynamics in this song? Just trying to learn from other people and then apply it to my own singing.
But I think a big part of it is just being honest with myself and trying to sing in a way that feels true to me. Like, I’m not the best singer in the world, but I can sing in a way that feels authentic and emotional and real, and I think that’s what matters. It’s not about hitting every note perfectly or having the most technically proficient voice – it’s about using your voice in a way that feels right for the song and for the emotions that you’re trying to convey. And I think that’s something that I’ve been working on a lot with this record, just trying to be honest and vulnerable and expressive with my voice, and I think that’s something that people respond to.
What do you hope listeners take away from A Love You Cannot Shake?
I hope that listeners take away whatever they need to take away from it. I hope that it can be a source of comfort or catharsis or inspiration or whatever they need in that moment. I hope that it can be a soundtrack to whatever they’re going through or feeling or thinking about. I hope that it can be a space for them to escape to or reflect in or just be with. I hope that it can be a source of light and hope and connection in a world that can often feel dark and hopeless and disconnected. I hope that it can be a reminder that there is beauty and joy and love in the world, even in the midst of all the pain and suffering. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all in this together, and that we can get through it together, and that we can find peace and healing and happiness together. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all deserving of love and respect and understanding, and that we should treat ourselves and each other with kindness and compassion and empathy. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all human, and that we all have struggles and fears and doubts and insecurities, but that we are also capable of great strength and courage and resilience and compassion. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all connected, and that we are all part of something greater than ourselves, and that we are all part of a larger story that is still unfolding. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all part of the same universe, and that we are all connected to each other and to everything else in the cosmos. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all made of stardust and magic and love, and that we are all capable of creating beauty and wonder and joy in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here for a reason, and that we all have a purpose and a destiny and a mission to fulfill. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to learn and grow and evolve and transform, and that we are all here to love and be loved and to make the world a better place. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, and that we are all here to shine our light and spread our love and make a difference in the world. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to love and be loved, and that we are all here to create a world that is filled with love and joy and peace and harmony. I hope that it can be a reminder that we are all here to be the change that we wish to see in the world, and that we are all here to make the world a more beautiful and loving and peaceful place for all beings. I hope that it can be a reminder That’s really interesting. It seems like your creative process is more fluid and spontaneous, allowing for inspiration to strike at any moment. The idea of songs having a beginning, middle, and end in terms of both their structure and their connection to moments in your life is really intriguing. It adds another layer of depth to the music. I think that’s why I wanted the album to feel cyclical, because that’s how emotions work. They don’t just start and end cleanly – they bleed into each other, they contradict each other. And I think that’s an important part of the human experience that I wanted to capture in this record. It’s messy and complicated, but it’s real. And I think ending on a note of acceptance is important because it’s a reminder that we have to work with what we have, even if it’s not exactly what we want. It’s a message of resilience and growth, and I hope that comes through in the music.
I think that’s a big part of what I wanted to convey with many of these songs – that uncomfortable feeling of trying to navigate through hate, anger, and other negative emotions, while also understanding that they shape the love and acceptance we have. These emotions shape who we are just as much as the more positive ones do. We can’t simply ignore them, because they are a part of us. It’s uncomfortable to live with them, knowing that one can’t exist without the other. When we are in a place of acceptance, we are never too far from feelings of anger, hate, fear, and regret. Similarly, when we are consumed by negative emotions, we are never too far from experiencing euphoric happiness and total acceptance. It’s all about finding a balance between the two.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
Fashion Club’s A Love You Cannot Shake is out October 25 via Felte Records.