By Nancy Sheppard Hi! Can you describe the inspiration behind the title of your EP, “Rainy Sunday”?
A: Yes! “Rainy Sunday” is a mood album and an homage to my PNW heritage. It’s a gentle, acoustic, sweater weather record, meant to be enjoyed with a warm cup of tea and a cat on your lap.
How has your hometown, Olympia, Washington, influenced the sound and lyrics of the songs in this EP?
A: “Rainy Sunday” is inspired by the sonic landscape of the PNW so much so that I even recorded rain, birds, and the river near my childhood home. I love rainy day acoustic music, and wanted this album to have that feel. I love the 90s artists that came out of the PNW. I’m especially influenced by Kurt Cobain’s songwriting, which is why I reimagined some of his hits as acoustic folk songs on “Rainy Sunday’s” sister EP: “Come As You Are–A Tribute To Nirvana In Olympia.”
You’ve mentioned that the theme of “letting go” is significant in your life and music. How is this theme reflected in “Rainy Sunday”?
A: For me, songwriting can be a form of therapy. I find the process of letting go challenging, and its something that I meditate and continue to work on. The songs on “Rainy Sunday” all have to do with letting go whether it’s letting go of a relationship,
This is your first self-produced EP. How was the experience of producing your own music for the first time?
A: It’s great to be at a place in my career where I have the skills and experience to lead the major production elements on an album. When I first started out in Hollywood, I’d work with male producers who didn’t care about my music or who I was as an artist. They’d tell me I needed to sound more like Katy Perry, or whoever had the big hit that summer. I think it’s really important for singer-songwriters to be in charge of their own artistry, and I hope I can inspire others to produce as well!
How has your move back home during the pandemic influenced the creation of “Rainy Sunday”?
A: The entire project is inspired by the sonic landscape of the PNW, and I saw it as a full circle moment, to come home and create a record in my childhood bedroom on the same piano that I wrote my first song. I really wanted to honor my heritage and I also recorded an album of Nirvana covers as well called “Come As You Are – A Tribute To Nirvana In Olympia.” Cobain wrote his biggest hits a couple miles from my childhood home, so I wanted to reimagine his songs and give them my own artistic flair.
Can you talk about the process of writing the song “The Otherside” and how it fits into the overall theme of the EP?
A: I wrote “The Otherside”’ during the fall when I was feeling heartbroken. Watching the falling leaves through my window reminded me that everything has its season, and just like the autumn leaves, our emotions are not permanent. I love the fall because it’s so beautiful, and it’s a chance to reflect and let go which is a major theme of “Rainy Sunday.”
You’ve compared the sound of “Rainy Sunday” to Taylor Swift’s “Folklore” and Phoebe Bridger’s “Punisher”. How have these artists influenced your music?
A: I love strong female singer-songwriters! I love music that puts you in a mood, and both of these artists do that so well. Lyrically, Joni Mitchell and Carole King are two of my all time favorite songwriters.
How did your collaboration with Kara Connolly on “Cozy Love” come about, and how does this song fit into the EP?
A: I was working on a writing and producing a track called “Lazy Sunday,” and I played it for Kara and she started humming a different melody over the piano part. I loved her idea, and so we took that and made it into “Cozy Love.” It was actually a rainy Sunday (hence the title of my album) and we wanted to write a song about contentment. We write and collaborate all the time, but this was one of the easiest songs we’ve ever written together. “Cozy Love” is all about enjoying the simple things in life. Until recently I use to think that my self worth was based on my achievements, but I don’t think that way anymore. “Cozy Love” celebrates love in all forms, and I’m so glad I got to write it with my best friend.
You’ve mentioned that “Rainy Sunday” is a limited edition release. Can you share more about the decision to make it limited edition?
A: It’s limited edition in terms of actual physical albums. I wanted to do something fun for my fans, so I made only 100 signed copies, to let them know how much I appreciate them and how special they are!
How do you hope listeners will connect with the songs on “Rainy Sunday”?
A: I want people to know that they are not alone. The world can be an isolating place, especially with all of this technology that is supposed to be connecting us. I hope people can see themselves in these songs and in these stories. The subjects I write about– relationships, friendships, family, and most importantly my own relationship with myself, are human struggles that we all go through.
