The playlist exercise was a way for me to reconnect with my true creative instincts, to remember why I started making music in the first place. By focusing on songs that shaped me throughout my life, I was able to tap into a deeper level of inspiration that transcended current trends or expectations. It was a reminder to stay true to myself and my artistic vision, rather than getting lost in the pressures of the industry. In a way, it was a form of self-care for my creativity, allowing me to rediscover what truly moves me and drives me as an artist. And the fact that my collaborators shared similar influences only reinforced the strength of our creative bond and the shared values we bring to our music. It was a powerful reminder that authenticity and honesty in artistry will always resonate more deeply than trying to conform to external expectations. My mom would play Purple Rain on repeat in the car when I was a baby. I definitely credit her with my love for Prince. She’s a huge fan, and I think that’s where it all started. Prince was such a big influence on me growing up, and I think that’s why he’s such a big part of my music taste now. His music is so diverse and experimental, and that really resonates with me.
What specifically about Prince’s music do you think has influenced your own sound?
I think it’s his fearlessness and his willingness to push boundaries. Prince was never afraid to try something new or step outside of the box. His music is so unique and innovative, and I think that’s something that I really admire and try to incorporate into my own music. His lyrics are also incredibly powerful and emotive, and I think that’s something that I strive for in my own songwriting. Overall, I just think Prince’s music is so authentic and genuine, and that’s something that I really connect with.
Did you have a favorite Prince song growing up?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I love so many of his songs, but I think my all-time favorite would have to be “Purple Rain.” It’s such an iconic song, and it never fails to give me chills. The emotion and rawness in his voice is just incredible. Plus, the guitar solo is out of this world. It’s definitely a song that has stuck with me throughout the years.
But watching Perfect Blue, seeing the main character struggle with her own sense of self and reality, helped me start to articulate those feelings and themes in my own work. It made me think about how we present ourselves to the world, how we navigate our own identities, and how that can sometimes feel like a performance or a facade. It definitely influenced the lyrical content and emotional depth of the album, and helped me explore those ideas in a more concrete way.
Overall, both Prince and Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue played a significant role in shaping the creative direction and thematic depth of my album. Their artistry and storytelling inspired me to push boundaries, experiment with different genres, and delve into complex emotions and themes. They are both icons in their respective fields, and I am grateful for the impact they have had on my own artistic journey.”
It’s supposed to help reprocess traumatic memories and help you process them in a healthier way. It was really intense for me, and I only did it a couple of times, but it definitely opened up a lot of things for me that I hadn’t really thought about before. It’s something that I want to explore more in the future, but it was definitely a big part of the healing process for me during the writing of Mirror. It helped me confront a lot of things that I had been avoiding and really start to work through them. It’s a powerful tool, and I’m grateful for the experience. “Por alguna razón, estaba teniendo los recuerdos o imágenes más vívidos que haya tenido mientras hacía esta terapia de EMDR, y de ahí proviene gran parte de la imaginería. Hay una visual para la canción ‘Doll Song’ que, mientras hacía terapia de EMDR, tuve esta visión de mí misma como una muñeca, y simplemente seguía encogiéndome, y caía a través de este espacio completamente oscuro y vacío. El terapeuta te hace preguntas como, “Te encuentras con un marco de imagen en un largo pasillo, ¿qué hay en el marco?” Es muy raro. Pero fue, sin que me diera cuenta, el impulso para las visuales de esta era, de ser esta figura sola en este espacio completamente oscuro y vacío. Y esa imaginería se siente muy representativa de empezar de nuevo. Death of a Cheerleader siendo tan colorido y brillante y Mirror casi desprovisto de color – literalmente se siente como borrar la pizarra. Eso fue aterrador al principio, pero estoy orgullosa de ello.
Esta entrevista ha sido editada y condensada para mayor claridad y longitud.
Mirror Starts Moving Without Me de Pom Pom Squad ya está disponible a través de City Slang Records.
Mirror Starts Moving Without Me de Pom Pom Squad”