1. If your song could take listeners on a journey, what would it be like?
If my songs can take listeners on a journey, I hope it’s a journey of liberation, a journey of shedding the weight of what they’ve been told they should be and reconnecting with their true selves. It’s about breaking free from past constraints and limitations, embracing sensitivity as strength, and realizing that our vulnerability is actually our superpower. I want listeners to feel seen and understood, feel less alone, and walk away with the courage to face their fears and follow their dreams. My music is a call to resilience and unity, a reminder that there is victory in standing together and being authentic.
2. How do everyday conversations and moments inspire the lines and melodies of your songs?
Everyday conversations and moments are like tiny sparks that often light the way to melodies, lyrics, and even songs. As a mother of two, much of my inspiration comes from moments with my children. They remind me of the kind of world I want to shape, and that flows naturally into my music. Sometimes it’s a quiet moment from my past, or something we’re collectively experiencing. For example, in the middle of the coronavirus, I wrote a song called “Triumphant” (a song produced by Lynx). I wanted to bring peace and comfort to others during these uncertain times. My songs often come from real life emotions and common human experiences and reflect life, love, struggle and hope.
3. When you write new songs, do you write with a specific person or audience in mind?
When I’m writing new songs, I often imagine myself speaking to my younger self and providing her with the words, comfort, and strength she needed. This is a way to bring healing to the past, not only to me, but hopefully to others who need it as well. I also think about my children and the world in which they will grow up. Sometimes I write with children in mind, hoping to leave a message of resilience, love, hope, and self-acceptance. Other times, I feel like I’m writing for someone who needs a reminder that they’re not alone, that they have the power to overcome and be fully themselves.
4. Have you ever turned a negative experience into a positive musical message? How?
Yes, absolutely. Music has always been a way for me to turn pain into purpose. I wrote the song “Feel” (a song produced by Lynx) during a time when certain influences in my life were trying to bring me down and away from my true path. Instead of letting it tear me down, I used that experience to write an empowering message. It was my way of reclaiming my voice and encouraging others to do the same.
Another example is a song I wrote during the pandemic called “Triumphant” (a song produced by Lynx). It was a very difficult time for everyone, personally, professionally, and emotionally, and this song helped me process everything I was going through. I wanted to create something that would remind people (and myself) that even in the darkest moments, there is still hope, resilience, and light on the other side.
5. Are there any particular instruments or sounds that have recently gained attention and influenced your music?
Lately, I’ve been really drawn to cinematic sounds, ambient textures, and subtle strings that bring a deep emotional atmosphere to the music. At the same time, I love mixing genres and eras. I explore the upbeat tempos and rhythms of reggae mixed with pop, and am always looking for ways to blend the soul and storytelling of 90’s music with today’s modern sounds. I’ve been listening to a lot of Michael Jackson lately and find his musicality, rhythm, and emotional depth incredibly inspiring. And I always stay true to my core influences: Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. Their vocal power and emotional storytelling is at the heart of what I do, and I strive to bring that spirit to everything I create.
6. How do you decide which personal stories to share in your music and which stories to keep private?
I follow my heart. If I feel a story can help others heal, feel seen and heard, or feel less alone, I share it. I believe there is strength in weakness and that the most personal moments contain the most universal truths. But I also believe that you should protect certain parts of your life and journey. Some stories are still unfolding and we respect the timing of whether or not they need to be told or shared.
7. If you could collaborate with any artist from any genre or era, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with any artist, it would be someone like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, or Celine Dion. I grew up listening to their songs, and they really shaped me as an artist. Their voices were strong, but it was more than just their singing ability, it was the honesty, emotion, and depth they brought to every song. They were real, true, and real. Their music moved people, and I strive to have that same impact in my own work. A collaboration with any of them would be a full-circle moment for me.
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
Source: OutLoud! Culture – outloudculture.com
