ZPP. 63 - Annabel Asher

This week on Zen Perry Project, we’re joined by Annabel Asher - a phenomenal vocalist with impeccable style who recently released a stellar debut single “555”. After meeting a few weeks ago sharing a stage at Bowery Electric, this cheeky conversation felt like it could’ve gone on forever - we discuss everything from wondering how artists occasionally believe themselves to be exempt from the basic morals of human decency to Annabel’s plans as a dictator after inevitably achieving world domination. This episode also includes ZPP's first first announcement?! 

Photo by Meghan Marshall

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:28

Say, on the show we have Annabelle Asher. Thanks for being here. You're a musician that I just played on a bill with. I was playing with Capri Nautz. We played Bowrie Electric and that was the sixth show. That was a super fun show.

Speaker 2: 0:43

I'm nodding because it was.

Speaker 1: 0:45

Yeah, you guys killed it.

Speaker 2: 0:49

Oh, thank you. So did you, guys oh thank you so much.

Speaker 1: 0:52

That was my first show in New York and I am, I'm hooked. I'm gonna go back out there and do some more shows, for sure, yeah.

Speaker 2: 0:59

Dude, you guys really like rocked my shit Like I. Seriously I have not stopped thinking about that performance because it was just so next level, it was so amazing.

Speaker 1: 1:10

Well, thank you very much.

Speaker 2: 1:12

And you and you really turned it. And I remember my partner turned to me and was like look at the drummer, cause you were. You were doing your little Like.

Speaker 1: 1:21

Yeah, that's my thing. Whenever people get pictures of me, they're always in the air.

Speaker 2: 1:26

We got like a picture. Does this guy ever actually like hit the drums?

Speaker 1: 1:30

Cause according to the pictures, he's just I was not expecting to play like that either. Like I when I was practicing at home, I was just playing on my little like electronic pads and I was just taking it, taking it slow. We only had one rehearsal before that and it was like I barely knew the songs. But, but time it came to it I was just like no, I'm just going to rock the fuck out, I don't know, this is what I like to do.

Speaker 2: 1:54

I literally got up and under the right table and just you know, always trying to figure out what this thing is all about. This is pretty, that's right. And so the thing complicated in the first place that we did was the back Housing. I'm like player hands thatrito hard.

Speaker 2: 2:13

But, yeah, I felt grieved, like me at the start of we were making a big year inilia, so, but they were about to they let us just fire it really hard because it was just like, hey, okay, so I am gonna be missing soundcheck, but I have Nat next to me if you want her to play. And I was like, of course, like what? And she's just such a virtuoso, like like knew everything, like so quickly, like we didn't even have a rehearsal with her, and it was just like, yeah, so shout out to my band Nat, jack Clay, david, you guys, you guys really killed it and thank you for your kind words. And yeah, like I said, I just I was so blown away by you guys, by your whole stage presence of the band, but like Kate's music is just like crazy, it's so insane, like she really has, she has it all together.

Speaker 1: 3:13

She really does. She's a. She's really incredible. But I mean, your whole band was super, super tight. I think that's a very kind words all around. That was. That was just an electric night.

Speaker 2: 3:26

It really was. It was an electric night.

Speaker 1: 3:28

Yeah, I mean for a Sunday, great turnout too Great turnout, yeah, oh my God. Yeah, how do you? How would you describe you like your music in general? Because, when? Because I hadn't really heard you other than five, five, five, your single, which one we're going to talk about? How? Because you kind of have like a jazz thing going on, you kind of have electric thing going on. What are your influences? What do you, what, what inspires you?

Speaker 2: 3:49

Yeah, great question. And when I was expecting except one I will never be prepared for. I feel like every artist like freaks out when someone asks like, so what style do you do? Unless they're like hard prog, rock, like, it's always like either something ridiculously specific or it's just a mishmash of a million things. And I'm the latter. I feel like I take inspiration from mainly synth and electro pop and garage jazz, r&b, classic soul, but also like trance music and like just electronic music, like you know, computer music, pc music, the computer as an instrument, that kind of vibe.

Speaker 3: 4:37

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 4:37

Five, five, five is definitely more of a garage inspired track. We were definitely like looking at, you know Russian garage house bands like Molkat, doma and then like iDress, just sort of like lo-fi.

Speaker 1: 4:57

But what did you just call that Russian? What?

Speaker 2: 5:00

Russian, russian garage, I guess. Okay, fuck yeah, I feel like the Russian wave is coming Like, like it really is like. I don't know if you heard rush by choice of on, but I was gonna, I was gonna say Putin agrees. It feels very, you know but yeah, that's awesome, yeah, and then, yeah, I feel like in terms of like actual artists, like my biggest influences are.

Speaker 2: 5:28

They're all over the place, but like a few highlights would be like LCD sound system Jill Scott, tori Mois, Rihanna, aliyah Mac Miller, nine Inch Nails, charlie Kendrick, gaga. You know the all the classics.

Speaker 1: 5:47

Justin Timberlake. That was an extremely wide.

Speaker 2: 5:51

I know it's crazy, I'm just looking through my like my playlist of artists and songs that I think like parlay into my sound and I'm like, yeah, it's so all over the place.

Speaker 1: 6:02

Do you have a Spotify playlist of that shit?

Speaker 2: 6:05

It's, yeah, it's called Album Mask and I will. I'll send it to you guys, but All right, Aliyah yeah.

Speaker 2: 6:11

And then, yeah, there's some, there's some Pixies on here, some MGMT, some Azalea Banks. My body is a cage arcade fire. You know, I like, I like the drama, I like dark, I love dark pop and like the sort of. That's why I like I'm obsessed with Kate is because I feel like she really does a great job of creating that, that world. And so, basically, like my style is whatever the fuck I feel like making, and then below that it's probably just like like alternative.

Speaker 3: 6:56

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 6:57

Like lo-fi alternative, let's just say that.

Speaker 1: 7:02

I, how did you? Okay, I have so many questions, I guess. First is how did you and Kate meet or just get acquainted? I don't even know. Kate doesn't even know that we're doing this interview.

Speaker 2: 7:12

I know we're just gassing her and like she has no idea, it's so funny I'm being a friend behind her back.

Speaker 1: 7:16

I am not, I'm just not.

Speaker 2: 7:17

Yeah, we're talking, yeah we're talking mad shit about Kate. No, I, we literally met through that bill and I like I'll be totally honest, sometimes the gig finesse bills are not 100% awesome front to back. You know, love to my, love to my indie musicians, but sometimes it's just like like it doesn't mesh or there's just not a chemistry between the artists. But this one we really mesh, like all of us. We really me, noah, lizzie and Kate like we all had a group chat beforehand and just like got to know each other a bit, and so I was just kind of like stalking Kate social media and Spotify and stuff and I was just like holy shit, like wow, this is very inspired and inspiring. And, yeah, kind of lit a fire under my ass. Honestly, I was like fuck, like I, I can and should be really doing this. You know what I mean.

Speaker 1: 8:23

Yeah, did you, because you released 5.55 right before that show, right.

Speaker 2: 8:30

I released it June 9th, so a little like like exactly a month before actually.

Speaker 1: 8:36

That was close. What I mean. What was, what was the timing for that Like, yeah, I mean so. How did how did this even come about? Because you, you know how to sing like where? Where did you learn how to sing Like? What's your whole music background? Where are you from? You're in LA.

Speaker 2: 8:52

Yeah, yeah, I'm in LA right now.

Speaker 1: 8:53

I'm at my parents house.

Speaker 2: 8:54

That where you're from yes, I'm from LA, I'm a Valley girl. I'm from Woodland Hills, if you're at all familiar, it's like oh yeah, it's like, yeah, it's right next to Calabasas.

Speaker 2: 9:04

So I grew up, you know, in Kardashian County, but, you know, adjacent, definitely not like in the thick of it, I just like went to school out there and have a lot of friends out there, etc. So you know, I did a lot of musical theater growing up, did a lot of, you know. I did vocal lessons from like when I was like eight, just because my parents were super supportive and they saw that I had a passion and talent and they wanted to nurture that. So I'm forever appreciative for that foundation I have been. I self taught myself guitar when I was like 12.

Speaker 2: 9:43

And I've always been like, proficient at guitar. It's not my main instrument, but I love playing guitar. I've definitely been working at it and trying to get better, because it is as a solo act, like oftentimes it's just me and me and my guitar. So, yeah, and then, yeah, musical theater was my biggest sort of training in terms of how to sing and how to perform and that's where I learned like vocal support and how to harmonize and like how to convey emotion through a song, and I really carry that with me in my music, even though I'm not doing musical theater. Obviously it's just the like. Being able to command the stage and tell a story through a song definitely came from my musical theater studies.

Speaker 2: 10:41

And then I also did dance and I just have always been. You know, I feel like I really started to become like a music head in middle school, like that's when I started to be like pretentious about it. You know, I was like you guys have never heard of Frank Ocean.

Speaker 2: 10:57

Wow, it was like I was, I was, I was that kid but yeah, I think the mix of that and then just like singing to the radio every day of my life forever, like being in the car, and especially in the era of pop music that I grew up in, it was very vocal, heavy, like I'm thinking of like chandelier and like all of Lady Gaga's discography and like Halo and just these really vocally demanding songs that I wanted to sing along to to the much to the chagrin of everybody else in the car. But yeah, it was definitely like. The radio definitely raised me and I think that has a huge impact on my sound today, both like the serious elements of it, but also like the unserious, like kitsch elements of it.

Speaker 1: 11:47

Yeah, you talked about at this show that you would like listen to the radio for hours and hours and you played a. Are you Gonna Be my Girl?

Speaker 2: 11:56

Hell yeah, I did.

Speaker 1: 11:57

So I guess you mentioned some of those other songs. But so you said your parents were super supportive and your mom was at the show.

Speaker 2: 12:05

Yeah, that was amazing. She flew out from LA just for the show. What a queen.

Speaker 1: 12:10

Wow yeah, and I'm sure she had a great time she did that was super cool. So when was like your first time actually like playing live or playing or, I guess, being in sort of a setting of? I mean, I guess he did theater, but what about just like more of just like a music setting?

Speaker 2: 12:29

Yeah, just like my solo stuff. So in college I went to Wesleyan, I did acapella.

Speaker 1: 12:36

Where is that?

Speaker 2: 12:37

It's in Middletown, connecticut, it's a liberal art school. It's like it's very, you know, artsy but also intellectual. So like I felt like I was very well suited. You know it was. It was it was touch and go, because it was like the pandemic hit like right in the middle. So but I digress, I didn't have as much performing experience in college as I obviously wanted to, because half of it was online. But when I was there I did acapella. My group was called Quasimodo and just like group singing really resonated with me. And then just I think I think it took a little while for me to build up the confidence to be like I can be this, I can do this and I can do it on my own.

Speaker 2: 13:32

And so my first performance, as you know, as me, as as Annabelle Asher, as a solo act, was at Wesleyan it was.

Speaker 2: 13:41

It was really like chaotic.

Speaker 2: 13:43

It's because it's such a, you know, because everybody there is so neurotic and involved, there's always shit going on like every hour, every day, like there's always at least three things that you need to be at and you can't be at all of them.

Speaker 2: 13:56

So I had a show on a Sunday at like 530 in Music Hallis, which is like way off campus and some of my friends came, but it was not a very well attended show and it wasn't like a the kind of show that I envisioned myself doing at all, because I, you know, with my style of music, I, I, I envision, you know, like a dark, dank room and like just that sense of like intimacy.

Speaker 2: 14:25

But I think that first show really like made it obvious that you can't control the circumstances when you're performing and you just kind of have to like do your thing and whatever the audience does is their business. I feel like audience engagement is a big part of my act because I also did improv, so I'm like pretty well versed in audience interaction and it doesn't like I have to do a lot of self talk when you know I have an audience. Like like that day I had to do a lot of self talk, like this doesn't reflect on me as an artist or person and the people who are here are really here and that's what matters.

Speaker 1: 15:08

Hey, whoa, what do you mean by that part?

Speaker 2: 15:10

Like like there were maybe 15 people there, but all of them were really present and like watching me and we're like giving me energy, you know, and that was that was really nice to to have, even though it wasn't necessarily like a full packed room. I was like, oh, you guys are being nice to me and I was like, okay, yeah, like I can, I can do this even if there's nobody at my gig.

Speaker 1: 15:41

Yeah, they, there was, there was. Well, I guess if you're talking about specifically, there's more people, not battery electric gig, but oh, yeah, way more people.

Speaker 2: 15:49

I just mean like that was my very first show and then, like after the fact, most of my shows have been pretty well populated.

Speaker 1: 15:58

Okay, funny story about this is I've been playing drums forever and I have been banned since I was like 12. And he has. She asked me questions because I've just played more shows in her and she's like, oh, what if there's not that many people there? It's like I've been. I've played so many shows where I was like there was more people in the band and there were in the room.

Speaker 2: 16:20

Right.

Speaker 1: 16:22

And then you just like, can't you just? And she's like I don't want to do that. I'm like, yeah, nobody does. But it's also like kind of fun and it's almost like a right of passage to say you've done these like yes, like gigs.

Speaker 2: 16:34

Right, and then for the people who are at those gigs, you know, down the line, it's a badge of honor for them to be like. Yeah, I saw this person like, and there are four people there and it they still turned it.

Speaker 3: 16:46

Exactly.

Speaker 2: 16:47

That's a sign of a true performer, like someone who you know can, can keep it pushing, despite if the audience is not giving you what you want.

Speaker 1: 16:56

Exactly, yeah. And and like I did a tour with a band they're called Hot Crazy. They were just starting up but I knew they were going to be big. And they went on tour with my band and we just like there was barely anybody at these shows but they they could have been playing a stadium like with just their energy. They didn't go fuck who was out there, like they were out there to have fun themselves and that was like a big turning point for me. I was like every time I get to play drums, you know it's like a die tomorrow, you know, might as well just do it, yeah exactly, exactly.

Speaker 2: 17:29

It's such a privilege to like be able to do it and to be doing it on the level where, like, people will pay to see it. You know, it's not just like a hobby thing, you know, but but yeah, that was that's sort of my, my, my show background, my my history on the stage. How old are you? I'm 23. Okay.

Speaker 1: 17:51

You're 20. You're the same age as Kate. Yes, my plan out here. We're getting old, we're almost freaking 30. Whoa, yeah, well, anyway.

Speaker 2: 18:01

Grab the grab the walkers.

Speaker 1: 18:03

Grab the walkers. Yeah, bust it out. This is not a walking friendly city.

Speaker 3: 18:08

It is not.

Speaker 1: 18:08

Yeah, yeah, but where the fuck was I going with that? I'm 23. What's your plan? Like, what do you like? What do you want to do? Like I mean, you'd say, you're just starting to release music as your own name. What's what's the?

Speaker 2: 18:26

what's the plan?

Speaker 1: 18:27

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 18:28

World domination total indoctrination. Ultimately, I would love to be a world dictator.

Speaker 3: 18:35

No, I'm kidding. What are you on that?

Speaker 2: 18:39

Can you? Can you expound on that? No, Actually, I just want to reach the people who I need to reach. But that's a very, you know, abstract, broad goal. But in terms of like next steps, I would love. So I have another song coming out August 18th called the line yeah. So first, first look first announcement is on this podcast and grass yeah. So I have another single coming out and then I'm working on my EP right now, which I would love to tour.

Speaker 2: 19:12

So that's sort of the next POA for me is like recording the songs that I already have and like getting them, you know, getting them tight and ready for streaming and then hopefully building up enough of an audience that I can do a small tour, and that would be amazing. But in the long term, I would love to be doing all kinds of stuff. Like I am definitely an interdisciplinary artist, I'm a writer and a singer, obviously, but I would love to be acting and doing fashion and, you know, just being part of, like the creative Culture and also just the pop culture, because I love pop culture. It's like so delicious for me, I always have, and so being part of the conversation would be amazing and like I just would love to have. I would love to just be able to make a living doing this, like. Ultimately, that is that is my like base goal. But if we're shooting for the moon, like, I would love to play the Hollywood ball one day, you know.

Speaker 1: 20:24

Yeah, that was unabashedly. That was I love when people are honest. Yeah, I love pop culture. I just want to be part of the conversation.

Speaker 2: 20:34

That's like. Who doesn't like?

Speaker 1: 20:35

I literally a lot of people I mean that's true, that's true.

Speaker 2: 20:39

I mean, I guess, when I think of like who does it, I'm like what lead singer doesn't want to be like showered with attention?

Speaker 1: 20:47

That's true, that's true, I don't yeah there's a there's very few singers I've like met that are not kind of ego heads, which that's like my favorite thing. I love that like the drummer singer dynamic is always like a fun one.

Speaker 2: 21:01

It's hilarious because the drummers have no ego like y'all. Y'all had ego death from an acid trip four years ago and it's like and we're just rocking and like we're like so in our heads about like you know what everything means and whatever it's I think that's generally why drummers and singers tend to like hang out most in the band, or at least when I've like just seen people on tour or whatever like that.

Speaker 1: 21:23

It's like it's like the total opposites, like I get you, you get me, and like we're nothing alike, though.

Speaker 2: 21:29

Right, we're so entertained by the others thing.

Speaker 1: 21:34

Yeah, we can protect each other from our emotions. We don't want to like experience.

Speaker 2: 21:38

Right, right.

Speaker 1: 21:40

Yeah, but in general though, like but you know, there are all, like the exceptions that rule. There's some singers. Of course, of course, and they hate singing live, but they're so fucking good. People are like, yeah, do it, though I want to yeah. Well, Frank like.

Speaker 2: 21:54

Frank Ocean, for example. I mean, that whole Coachella thing was so whack, but I saw him live in 2017 at FYF in LA and it was literally his last live performance Since that Coachella thing. So I I saw in real time like someone who is such a star and who is so relevant, but who hates being in the public eye and like literally actively avoids playing shows, and I'm like music really comes in all shapes and sizes and just because you sing doesn't mean you want to be the center of attention, or just because you don't sing doesn't mean you don't want to be the center of attention.

Speaker 2: 22:38

You know, I feel like like I don't know. I think about band members who are just, who just always play for other artists, and I'm like I wonder, I wonder if that is enough or if there is sort of like an urge to do your own thing. But I don't know, I guess that's a question for you. Now it's my podcast.

Speaker 1: 23:04

Yeah, I mean, I think I'm a pretty show off e-drummer. I just can't help it. I do, like you know, it's fun.

Speaker 2: 23:11

You gotta, you gotta.

Speaker 1: 23:13

Yeah, I mean because I don't know you can be such a boring drummer and I don't know like playing in the pockets like great and stuff like that. But I mean I don't know if you're kind of come to a show. I want to give people a reason to actually like, come to a show. What is, what is? What was your whole like thought on Frank Goshenstein? Because he what? What happened to Coachella? He like didn't play a full set or he was just over it, or what was the whole?

Speaker 2: 23:37

Basically, first of all, he had this huge set that he was supposed to, not not like set as in music set, but like a physical set. It was, there was an ice rink and there were going to be ice skaters that were like like looping around him as he sang and then, like an hour before the show, he's like actually I don't want that, and so they had to like completely reorganize the stage set up and then it just ended up being him Like you couldn't even see him. There was literally a group of people like walking around him in a circle the entire show. You couldn't see his face, you could barely hear him. He wasn't singing, he was just like playing tracks, basically, and people you know, people who had waited for years and years and years to see him perform were all devastated because they were like what, like that's it.

Speaker 2: 24:29

And then he cut the show early and I think he went past Curfew and like started late as well. So just like a pretty disrespectful to the fans, like, especially because it was Coachella and that shit is so expensive, like so many people probably, like minimum, spent $1,000 just to be there, and it just shows a level of detachment from that being in that place as an artist where, like you understand what it's like to, you know to be on either side, like you want to see a great show but you also want to give it. Give a great show because you should feel and you should feel entitled, like your fans are entitled to that and you should feel like you owe them that.

Speaker 1: 25:18

Yeah. Yeah, it's a rough. It's a rough spot to be in because you know I don't know what you do for work. But like you know, I end up working service industry stuff when I'm not doing music stuff.

Speaker 3: 25:28

Right.

Speaker 1: 25:29

And you're just like some days, you just don't want to fucking deal with people.

Speaker 2: 25:32

Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 1: 25:34

Yeah, I mean. So Michael just saw a little Nas X at what Governor's ball Was that right?

Speaker 3: 25:39

Oh yeah.

Speaker 2: 25:43

Oh, really Like a real horse.

Speaker 3: 25:49

And was like I'm sorry, guys, I don't want to be here right now, and then absolutely crushed it, but it was so. Yeah, sometimes like people just have like a bad day and it shows.

Speaker 2: 26:04

Yeah, yeah, it honestly like could, could have been that deep. It could have been not that deep, it could have just been like I have a stomach ache, or it could have been. I also know that Frank had a had a little brother who passed away and he he mentioned something like I used to go to Coachella with my little brother and so this is like really meaningful for me. So I'm sure that was a factor. But ultimately, like I'm not my I'm not in the business to like pathologize artists behavior, because artists are insane. They're just like they're just simply unpredictable and hard to hard to read and also like kind of think they're exempt from the rules of basic ethics and morals and human decency, so like. But then, on the other hand, like that's kind of fun, like how depraved everyone is makes for, makes for good stories and good music.

Speaker 1: 27:00

Exactly, and I think, yeah, that's, that's the whole point and it's such a it's such a hard hump to get over to actually get to the point where you're playing shows and people actually expect stuff of you and you're making enough money to get to do these things. Exactly. I think that's when people always like feel this weird thing. It's like, yeah, I would love to have that problem where I like wake up all hungover in Europe and I'm like I gotta go play a show.

Speaker 2: 27:26

I have to play primavera sound right now, like after being on a yacht all day.

Speaker 1: 27:31

Yeah, I'm tired, Like it just. It's just such an unrealistic thing. But you know, but in order to actually be that successful as a musician, you have to work your ass off all the time.

Speaker 2: 27:43

Literally like, and that's kind of where I'm at. I mean, I don't really need to be like yachting in Capri, as Beyonce would say. Like I, I would love to be like be able to like finance my basic needs with music and I know that that's not going to come through streaming and so like finding other avenues to to make money while still being involved in music or like vocal production in some way. So like right now I'm trying to get into more freelance stuff doing, you know, like, like music content, like like that's what Kate does, she, you got to talk to her about that.

Speaker 1: 28:30

Yeah, definitely she has a lot of like writing stuff, and she can go to school for that either. Yeah weird stuff like that.

Speaker 2: 28:37

Exactly I want to. I want to be doing those weird like odd articles and, like you know, making royalty free music for like a TikTok commercial or something like that. I think at this point in my life is like I'm not above that at all, and I think for a while I don't know I think when I was in college I was so isolated and didn't have to actually like encounter the real world that I just had a really idealized vision of like my, my come up or whatever. And I don't think it's like that for anyone Like they're. Even even my friends, who are signed and successful and you know, by all means, should be like over the moon have to have to work literally all the time because they're under the jurisdiction of other people now, and so I don't know.

Speaker 2: 29:31

I always remember, like this is you're doing this because it brings you the most joy, like this is what you're doing with your life because it brings you the most joy. So like don't, don't let that joy be sucked away from it Just through, like the frustration of wanting to make something good or something people will listen to, you know, or like, or just being making it, doing it in a pure commercial sense, can really be soul sucking. So, just like I don't know, I feel like I like I need to remain. I don't know I need to not be as jaded and I just let the. By the way I do, that is just listening to me new music and old music and going to shows and feeling like hopeful, like okay.

Speaker 1: 30:22

Do you feel like you're just getting started like with, with kind of stuff you're doing, like when did you start releasing music? And I wish you could start talking about 555.

Speaker 2: 30:33

Yeah, there's a lot to do. Yeah, I'm a chatty. I'm a chatty chatty cat. I feel like I could talk to you for quite a while.

Speaker 1: 30:41

Oh yeah, we should all hang out with you. I feel like we should get that whole fucking group that. Let's do it together at some point, like bowling. I'm going bowling right after this. Actually, no way. I had a fucking great day. I went to the beach. It was nice as they've had in New York. I just hang out with you and Michael and I'm going bowling seeing a show tonight.

Speaker 2: 31:01

Wow, wow, that's amazing. I'm going to a midnight show Barbie tonight, so I'm also very excited.

Speaker 1: 31:09

That's tomorrow. I mean, that's like, oh my God, that we're upon the open. Open, barbie, what are they called?

Speaker 2: 31:16

It's barb and hyper time and I'm seeing up and I'm around Saturday, so and then I'm going to a show on whatever Okay, off topic, 555. So 555 is my debut single. That is my first song I've ever dropped and it was. We recorded it about a year ago to the date that it was dropped. So it was.

Speaker 2: 31:40

It took a long time because my friends and collaborators are amazing and incredibly talented, which means they are very busy all the time. So, like in the interest of wanting to keep it in the family, I was like, okay, I would rather just have this be the best that I can make it and drop it on my own time. Then just like rush it. And that's what I did, and I'm glad that I did, because it really is like exactly how I wanted it to be. I mean, now I can't listen to it because it makes me crazy, but like when I, when I could still listen to it, I was like this is amazing. Yeah, thank you.

Speaker 2: 32:31

Charlie Kilgore is the producer and he's in the band. Michelle, if you know them, they're like a like a neo R&B, soul slash pop group from New York and they're they're quite a. They're playing Lala, which is pretty fucking sick, yeah. So they're like they're definitely on the up, up and up. And then my friend, finn Finn Bennett, mixed it and he totally brought the song to the next level. It just really like he he really should have a producer credit because it totally morphed the song, his mix, and just because he put it through a bunch of old tape machines and like really saturated the vocal and like made it sound the way it's supposed to sound.

Speaker 1: 33:22

That's. That's the thing about it's like you have it's like kind of like a pro pop kind of indie vibe to, but your vocals and I think it's probably one of the fair things about your show is that it's like this like deep, brooding, like jazz voice that you have. Yeah like the saturation and how everything sounds with. It is like yeah, that sounds great, the vocals are like perfect for and it's not. There's nothing quite like it.

Speaker 2: 33:49

So well that that means so much to me. Thank you, yeah, I try to. I try to use my instrument to the best of my ability. Where I'm like, okay, I don't have, you know, like a whispery Billie Eilish, princess voice, I'm not going to make whispery music because that is not what my instrument is built for. And so, like I, you know, trying to figure out how to synthesize, like the production style that I like, which is a little brutal, like a little, a little bit yeah. But then I, you know, I have this like smooth, sort of like smooth jazz voice that I can tap into, which I think is a fun little contrast.

Speaker 1: 34:41

You know, what you should do for side work is you should just, like you know, just read audio books, like, especially like that's literally what I'm trying to do, bro. Let's, let's fucking do it. We're setting up a studio here. We'll put you up. I've done audio recording. Yeah, we got it. We'll stuff to put you to sleep.

Speaker 2: 34:58

Exactly, it's that's. That's kind of the hustle I'm trying to get into right now is just like doing kind of voiceover, like filler work.

Speaker 1: 35:08

Yeah, I'm just do it. Yeah, you got it. I send my buddy Jake, I send him all the voiceover over like voice acting gigs that I can.

Speaker 2: 35:18

But yeah, there's, there's a billion out there, yeah exactly, it's, it's, it's, it's out there, the truth is out there.

Speaker 1: 35:26

So yeah, the production. So what was like your idea with the song and how? So you had a producer, you had somebody mixing it, you had what. At some point you were like I want to release a song, I want to release this song.

Speaker 2: 35:39

Right.

Speaker 1: 35:39

Like what was the, what was the grand idea? It was like what's crazy is like. So I'm looking right now you have 8757 listens. You're kind of like that and this is like you just putting something out there that's really good for like a first release.

Speaker 2: 35:55

Yeah, thank you. I'm really happy with that as well. Like for pretty much no professional promo. Like I paid for like a couple Instagram ads, but like in general, that's organic and that's amazing to me that that a that people are finding this song somehow, and be that they're listening to it multiple times, like I have my you know, spotify for artists analytics and like the average listener listens to it at least twice and that's crazy. I'm like like you came back for more. That's insane.

Speaker 2: 36:30

So I think so in terms of like deciding that this was the one that I wanted to drop is my debut single. So the line which is coming out in about a month, was the other option and they're pretty. They're very different. The line is is a lot more jazzy and a lot more ethereal, I guess, whereas 555 is quite oblique and intense and I kind of just wanted to knock down the door. I was just like I want to make an entrance and I don't want it to go unnoticed and it's really hard not to. It's a very commanding sort of song like, especially the that like baseline and those drums. They're just so propulsive and I was like, yeah, I really want this to be like I just it really says like I'm here and I'm here and I really just don't. I DGAF what I do, I do, I do GF, which is the secret, but in terms of the like you know, I want to anybody no thank you.

Speaker 2: 37:47

Thank you. Just anyone who listens to this podcast will know, but anyone else?

Speaker 1: 37:52

They'll just be your mom, basically.

Speaker 2: 37:54

Yeah, exactly.

Speaker 1: 37:55

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, so you recorded this song like what you said a year ago, right, so what?

Speaker 1: 38:04

was but you had. I mean, yeah, you said it's organic how people found the song, but in general, what was like your? If you had to like kind of look back and be like this is all the promotion I did leading up to the release. What do you think went well, what do you think didn't? What did you do to actually get to that point where you actually had some people listening to it, I mean like the song? You worked really hard on the song and it's that shows and people are re listening to it, so clearly it sounds good. But what was the? What was your marketing, if anything?

Speaker 2: 38:34

marketing tactics.

Speaker 2: 38:34

So, another mascot moment. I hate, hey, doing social media promo makes me feel like like a zebra at the circus doing ball tricks and I'm like this is not my nature. I'm not the kind of person to post a video on TikTok every day, like it just doesn't come naturally to me. So I really had to get over that like feeling of, oh, it's so annoying Everybody thinks it's annoying and just be like whatever it's. Everybody knows it's what you have to do, so just do it, because the goal right is to like have the algorithm catch you and hopefully put you on someone's radar that hasn't seen you before. That's my current like goal.

Speaker 2: 39:26

And so, for promo, I I knew I needed visuals and I knew I needed a video. And so my friend Megan Marshall shout out, she is one of the best artists, photographers in New York. She's amazing. We did a photo shoot which I ended up using one of those pictures on the cover and then I use those pictures as like initial promo.

Speaker 2: 39:51

And then I was like this isn't super informative, like I think that I could have probably done some more teasers, like video teasers, and that might have, that might have played better. But I was just like I didn't really have it yet and I just didn't. I don't know. I was just like, okay, just fucking post something like don't wait around. And then my friend, iris Iris Olympia, filmed me running around their roof and like that ended up being, you know, the music video and the visuals. And then my friend, liza Liza Gross edited it and did an amazing job and so ever since I've had that footage it's been a lot easier to promote, Because it just seems like short video content is the most engaging to people nowadays. So, like I said, it's hard for me to feel like I am doing that earnestly and so I really try to not use like a fake social media voice.

Speaker 3: 41:02

I just try to.

Speaker 2: 41:02

I try to like be my actually myself and like I don't, I hate, just it's. I think it's just inherently humiliating to be like advertising yourself on social media. In general. Doesn't matter if you're a musician or just a person.

Speaker 3: 41:20

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 41:21

So once I accepted that, I was like whatever you know what I? I'm at a point now where I'm willing to debase and humiliate myself for the sake of my music, but I don't think I need to do it. I'm just saying like I think a lot of artists think they have to be like in the car with their ex and they're like. So remember how I told you I was never going to write a song about you? Well, I did, and here it is, and it's like oh, is this what it is now? Like, do we really have to be doing all this? Like, yeah, so so there was always that side of me that like you know, the side of me that felt like I was at the circus. But and then, in terms of like, I really was just tick tock and Instagram, like I didn't have any other avenues to to use. Like I don't can't take out a billboard or a radio ad or a wheat pasting, I'm just like there's no reason.

Speaker 2: 42:22

There's no reason to it's like so extra and what is what is like?

Speaker 1: 42:26

what is something that you do differently, maybe for tick tock or Instagram, like you personally or do you just post the just the same stuff on both?

Speaker 2: 42:32

Um, I tick tocks a little more, like I would say, with TikTok. I like I'll record a video of myself in like three times speed, like, like, listen to my song, like just just being dumb, and then on Instagram I feel like it's a little more professional, a little more editorial, a little more like high brow not to say it is always that, but I just feel like comedy plays better on TikTok than on Instagram, and so finding a way for people to see that I don't take myself that seriously, but I also, like I'm still trying to get myself out there, like trying to strike that balance, I think, is is what the biggest difference. And also Instagram, like Instagram is it's a thirst trap. Like let's be so real, like, like I definitely have to to look and act a certain way, present a certain aesthetic. Yeah, like, like.

Speaker 2: 43:36

I feel like maybe it's just misogyny or maybe it's just being like a singer, but the your look, I think, is important and your, your, your visuals, whatever, like your look and visuals are what sets you apart.

Speaker 2: 43:53

Because there's a lot of amazing singers out there you know, it's like there's so many, but not all of them have the eye catching visuals or the sense of style or the direction, like the creative, artistic direction, aesthetic direction to make it really stand out. And for me, that was like that's something I've been thinking about ever since I decided that I wanted to pursue this, because I'm somebody who's really invested in, you know, aesthetics and it's just like, like some of some of the best albums ever have such iconic art that also like bleeds into the aesthetic of the band and like, like I don't know thinking of like Radiohead and Nirvana right now, like how, like I don't know, they match their vibe with their visuals and like, for me I'm somewhere between like an evil succubus and like I know the way I actually the way I would describe me for someone is like if a lounge singer and like a brat punk, like had a baby and so like I use a lot of like red and purple and just like I try to keep things minimalistic but striking.

Speaker 1: 45:25

Yeah, I would completely agree with that. It's definitely like when I went think of you. It's like, it's like like a, just a lounge singer, but also with just this like airy, ethereal, like fast, energetic electronic thing going on as well at the same time.

Speaker 2: 45:43

Thank you.

Speaker 1: 45:45

And that's pretty. Yeah, no, it's incredible. I was really, really digging your guys' set. So, yeah, the, the, the, the. I love how you're thinking about it too. It's like it's. It's really good for other people to like hear and listen to other people and how they develop their, their themselves, and yeah, I'm gonna put online.

Speaker 2: 46:03

Yeah, I think that's honestly like I don't know. There's so many bands in New York too, like I think something that Michelle has done really well is is figure out their aesthetic and not like like their stage aesthetic and what sets them apart. And so I took a page out of their book, for sure, and I was just like okay, commit to something simple that you can build on.

Speaker 1: 46:32

Yeah, yeah, and there's. There's no reason why you have to like settle down or anything on it too. It's just like just do what you like.

Speaker 2: 46:39

Right, exactly, do shit that you like. At the end of the day, like do shit that you like and.

Speaker 1: 46:43

Michael and I are fucking terrible with social media. We get some amazing people on the show, we have awesome episodes of people and we have a bunch of like clipped up episodes of every single like show that we've done. I just don't like posting them. It feels horrible.

Speaker 2: 46:58

It feels weird.

Speaker 1: 46:59

It feels like, it's like I have very intimate conversations with people, but like I don't. Like I don't want. Like yeah, listen to it if you want. I don't want to put that like online.

Speaker 2: 47:07

Like yeah, there's something about right, there's something about diluting it and forcing it upon other people that just feels like it kind of bastardizes it, but also like if it's getting people to listen to the full thing, then like whatever.

Speaker 1: 47:24

Every single time we posted like that, we get a bunch more downloads for stuff and we're like, well, that was. That makes sense.

Speaker 2: 47:31

That helped. God damn it yeah.

Speaker 1: 47:33

Okay, so we just a little. Do you have a few more minutes?

Speaker 2: 47:37

Yeah, all right, cool.

Speaker 1: 47:40

Well, so part of what we do for this show is we have to Instagram stalk everybody. That we, we, you know, but this was hilarious. This is right at the top of your Instagram. This guy commented.

Speaker 2: 47:57

Oh, I know exactly what you're going to say. No, read it.

Speaker 1: 48:00

And I was like I was on the train coming back from the beach. I was like, oh, shit.

Speaker 2: 48:04

Can you read it for the? For the yes.

Speaker 1: 48:07

So it was on the video for 555. And okay, so this guy, not a fan here, just gave 555 a listen and I really don't like profanity. I don't understand why some songwriters feel the need to use vulgar, disrespectful, offensive language in a song. All created words blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, classless music. In my opinion, so many good and great songwriters over the years have never used profanity. Sorry, I'm just not going to follow you and support your music.

Speaker 2: 48:38

I was like okay, bro, I don't give a fuck. Like, why are you taking the time out of your life to fucking write this long ass comment? First of all, I literally say two curse words in the whole song. So you're, you can't, you're scared of bad words, okay.

Speaker 1: 48:54

I thought I was cracking up, I thought it was so funny, like well, then I was looking into the guy and he's like he's like a grandfather. I'm just like. I'm like how did he find he must have been like through an ad or something like that? Like, like through a hashtag or something like looking through hashtag music and, like I just popped up, and he just has, like him, with his shirt off, like all of his family just enjoying it at whatever.

Speaker 2: 49:19

He's just. I know he's like, oh, look at my wholesome family. And he's like out here terrorizing like actual randos on the internet.

Speaker 1: 49:29

I love these. I was like sitting at like Olive Garden with his family and they're like hey, and he's like hold on, like wait wait, wait, wait, wait.

Speaker 2: 49:38

like I understand you have something important to tell me. Her wife is like I need, I want a divorce, and he's like, actively writing.

Speaker 1: 49:44

He's like there's, there's this 23 year old girl out there and she needs to know that.

Speaker 2: 49:49

I'm not a fan, that, I'm not a streaming. I'm like okay, like. Also, when I first saw the like long comment in the first part said not a fan here, I was like, oh, no, like they're going to critique the like the song. And then it was just that and I was like, oh, okay.

Speaker 1: 50:09

So then was that Michael.

Speaker 3: 50:12

I'm going to just put out there that if anybody wants to send this guy songs that have profanity in it just see if he's a fan or not for a confirmed you know message that you send him with a song link of a song that has profanity, we'll send you his own Terry projects sticker.

Speaker 1: 50:31

Hey, hey, let's go. What do you think of this song? Sorry, yeah that's just.

Speaker 3: 50:37

I don't know. Maybe maybe he just needs to hear more songs with profanity in it, like maybe he just needs to hear like pussy, pussy, pussy, marijuana, and like he'll come to and he'll realize like.

Speaker 1: 50:50

Oh, I'm a down ass kind of dude, I feel like this is like one of those like closeted ass, like yeah, it's just like. Oh, like I find yeah, like like the kind of person that listens to you, know WAP, and is like I, like I secretly like, oh, my God, those girls are amazing. But like I need a shit on it, Like you know what I?

Speaker 2: 51:12

mean Right. It's also just like the misogyny element where it's like he said something about like this is setting about example for young girls and I'm like I'm not trying to set an example for young girls.

Speaker 1: 51:24

The fuck Like I'm literally not, that's a word here, for it is like we're setting examples for young girls.

Speaker 2: 51:31

Yeah, Then Perry project is setting examples for young girls and Abel Asher is not. Yeah, why is it my responsibility to set an example for young girls like me? Like no, I, I, I, it's so dumb. Like obviously I'm not making music for children.

Speaker 1: 51:53

Like yeah, and the guy goes on Like he, just he, he he's so, and I'm like thank you for the engagement.

Speaker 2: 52:00

Instagram, the Instagram algorithm, is probably like, doesn't? Know what's happening and they're like yeah.

Speaker 1: 52:07

I I got called a racist on one of my things, which is that sounds bad, Just hold on.

Speaker 2: 52:14

No, I don't know, I'm with.

Speaker 3: 52:17

And we're getting canceled.

Speaker 1: 52:20

I was like, oh shit. So it was on like a real edit on YouTube with the, the podcast, but all I was talking about was the gentrification exists and it was this guy in front of his like in front of his Chevy. He was a white dude. He was calling me racist against white people. I was like, oh, you're just an idiot.

Speaker 2: 52:42

Oh God, I got it. Got it Like yeah.

Speaker 1: 52:45

That's, I was like as soon as I saw the comment before I saw who it was, or like what the like, like what the context was I was like, oh fuck, am I a terrible person? Like am I just getting called out now? But like it. But also that real jumped up like just them of, like like plays it had, just because somebody called me a racist on it, which had for no fucking reason, which had nothing to do with anything. I had nothing to do with anything. I was just. I was like gentrification exists and it sucks and that was like kind of my thing and yeah, we're going to just do that so real?

Speaker 2: 53:16

Yeah, well, he had a point. Sounds like you're being really racist against white people, right?

Speaker 1: 53:21

now. Yeah, man, you know we have a rough hour, but okay. So to this guy's point. I had not listened to, not the racist guy we're. I'm segueing back.

Speaker 2: 53:36

The classless music guy.

Speaker 1: 53:38

Yes, yes, yes, I did look at the lyrics and your lyrics are. They are. Wait, I was, I was talking to Michael. Oh, this is my favorite line Rock bottom of the body, pile, shoot hot spit, crunch bone. Is that that? Yeah, that is a sick one, yeah.

Speaker 2: 54:01

Thank you, charlie. I will give Charlie credit for that one because he definitely like had the idea for that verse. Well, like, basically, the idea behind the song was we wanted the, the verses, to be really dense and manic and like weird and odd, and the for the chorus to be a little more spread, and so that's why there's a lot going on in the verses and then the chorus is like three words but yeah, no, like Charlie's an incredible writer, we wrote the song together but I, like he was like I figured it out. I figured it out Rock bottom of the body, pile, shoot, hot spit, crunch bone. And I was like you're so fucking weird for that and I love it.

Speaker 2: 54:50

Like I'm obsessed, like it doesn't rhyme, it doesn't make sense, it's like kind of visual, but it also just like you're like ow that like it's, like it's like it's like it really puts you exactly where I wanted someone to be used, like laying on the tile under a bunch of bodies, just like being crushed, and like how you know? Like like you go from from the mania to the crash, like yeah, kind of.

Speaker 1: 55:24

Yeah, what, what, what is the story behind the song? Because that is not what the song is about.

Speaker 2: 55:29

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 55:30

Are you how? How much do you feel like saying about it?

Speaker 2: 55:34

Yeah, I'll say some, I'll say some. So the song is actually about I had a, a psychotic break my freshman year of college and I really really didn't know that at the time, because anyone who's ever been manic or psychotic knows it's like really hard to to to know that you think everyone else is is wrong and you're right, basically. And so I going going with that sort of idea and just thinking that you are being directly given signs in the universe that, like this person is meant for you and that was what was happening with me like freshman year of college. Basically like this random guy who absolutely did not deserve my time or attention, like I had just gotten out of a long relationship and he was there but incredibly, um, a bad influence. Let's just say that he was a bad influence and because of a lot of factors, I ended up like really, really really falling hard for this guy. But it was like co-morbid with an intense case of mania where I was like you know, I associated all of these like super happy, new energy feelings with him instead of like, oh, I should seek medical help, and so, like that song is sort of from the perspective of me when I was in that space of like. You know, I'm so sure about this, I'm so positive that the universe is sending me signs.

Speaker 2: 57:20

But he had a girlfriend like like, who was still in high school and across the country, and you know, yeah, it was tough. It was tough and he just like wasn't attracted to me. It was really like, like it hurts so bad. But ultimately I'm so glad nothing ever happened, because whoa, he's a piece of work. But if you ever listen to this, he's not going to be happy. But it's fine, we don't talk to each other anymore, so I doubt he'll ever even see it. But yeah, I think this song was very cathartic for me because I had a lot of pent up rage towards him and a lot of energy Like this time in my life had so much energy, but it was also so toxic and corrosive, and so I just like wanted to figure out how to wrap all of that up together.

Speaker 1: 58:13

And so, yeah, yeah, Wow, yeah, no, I like it. I mean, it's very like as I read the lyrics. It's very intense, yeah it is it is.

Speaker 2: 58:21

It is an intense song.

Speaker 1: 58:22

It's like I can't wait to go to your first play, you know.

Speaker 2: 58:26

I can't, I can't wait to make my Broadway debut after becoming an international pop sensation. And everyone's like they can act and I'm like, yeah, bitch, I'm aware of many hats.

Speaker 1: 58:40

Yeah, there you go.

Speaker 2: 58:43

But also, like, at the end of the day, I just am happy with like, doing art on any level at any time. But yeah, yeah, this is I mean, this is an incredible song.

Speaker 1: 58:57

I think it's extremely well produced, like the video is awesome. So, just like you know, keep doing that. I got two more questions.

Speaker 2: 59:08

Yeah, hit me.

Speaker 1: 59:11

Two. Which one do I want to ask first? We'll do this one. What do you do when you're starting to second guess yourself or feel like there's no reason to keep on making music? Or if that has never occurred to you, what do you do when you have somebody some old guy start hating on your music on the internet? What are the sort of like mechanisms that you've developed about your ego?

Speaker 2: 59:38

So many, because you know that I this is a daily struggle and like all musicians I think have that like do I even bother? But then I do a few things. I will like just start playing covers, I'll just play songs that I know and love and I know that I can do well, and then I feel how good it feels to do that and how like natural that feels and I'm like, okay, yeah, that connects me to the why. And then also, like when my friends or people I don't know reach out at all about it like even the fact that they like gave it a listen I'm like, okay, that's something that really helps. But I also like to go through my notes app and my voice memos, because it's literally a wasteland of ideas and melodies and songs and you know lyrics that are just lying dormant and I'm like, okay, I literally have a full fucking archive.

Speaker 2: 1:00:49

Obviously I do this consciously or unconsciously, so I'm going to do it anyway. You know what I mean. And sometimes I'll listen to an old voice memo or read an old note and I'll be like, damn, okay, shit like wow, I didn't realize. I don't remember ever recording that or saying that, but it actually was quite good. So that really helps me when I'm feeling like, oh, like sometimes I'll even feel like jealous of my past self, like, oh, she was so inspired and, like you know, had all this stuff to write about, and I'm like I can always go back to those notes and go back to those times and, you know, build on them. But yeah, those are some of my coping mechanisms.

Speaker 1: 1:01:43

Those are great. Yeah, I think playing covers is something that I've been kind of more into is I'm kind of just like re-finding my stuff, because I was only into originals for a while. But yeah, no, it's nice to hear somebody else say that, as well as the other stuff you mentioned. That was probably one of the best answers we've had for that so far. This is a new industry question that we've started asking.

Speaker 2: 1:02:08

Oh, thank you. Yeah, I really do do that and like just playing things that are kind of easy, like just so you remind yourself, like this is. You know, this is the fundamental part of me, and when something is simple, you can really go crazy. So, yeah, definitely recommend. It also makes you feel better about, like where you're at currently, because you're like, oh, this song is so easy and then it's like probably a song that I wouldn't have found easy a few years ago. So, yeah, anyways absolutely Alright.

Speaker 1: 1:02:47

Last question what is your idea of success?

Speaker 2: 1:02:57

My idea of success is being able to pay rent and have health insurance and have food and maybe then some just being able to make a living off of my art. Once I can do that, I will feel free. There you go, love it and also like having like a million monthly listeners. Would be cool one day.

Speaker 1: 1:03:27

Hey, you're on your way, yeah yeah. I was in right now. You know about to have maybe 2000 soon.

Speaker 2: 1:03:32

Oh hey, come on, I hope so. Fingers crossed in Chalaw.

Speaker 1: 1:03:37

Yeah, we're gonna. Kate's released like 50 something songs. That's insane.

Speaker 2: 1:03:42

I had no idea that is so wild. She I mean she's been doing this since because she moved to New York when she was 18. So, yeah, I, I feel like I'm, I'm, yeah. Like I said earlier, I'm just getting started. There is so much more to come.

Speaker 1: 1:03:57

Yeah, no, it's. I feel like you have a good. You have a good streamlined approach to everything that you're doing now is is, in my humble mean, nothing words. I think I think you got it Like just just keep doing what you're doing. Thank you so anything else you wanna say to fans or anybody listening, or the line comes out August 18th.

Speaker 2: 1:04:17

Thank you If you've gotten this far. I love you. Thank you, um. Dm me and tell me if you've got this far, um, but I I'm just so appreciative of you guys for having me on the show. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1: 1:04:33

Thank you so much for being on the show. This was a super fun.

Speaker 2: 1:04:36

Yeah, I had such a great time Stream, stream 555. Do it Follow. Follow me on Instagram at annablashr. That's where I post all of my like, show updates and all that shit. So if you want to stay in the loop, that's where you go.

Speaker 1: 1:04:59

Yeah, I'm going to try to be your next show for sure, whenever that is Ditto, ditto. Um, I think we got some stuff in September which we might have to hit you up.

Speaker 2: 1:05:09

Um yeah, I'm, I'm around, hit my line Either way.

Speaker 1: 1:05:13

Whenever you get back into New York, hopefully fall, get together with like some musician friends. It would be really cool. Actually, I'll have like a little meet and hang out.

Speaker 3: 1:05:21

Yeah Well, that was such a fun night, you know.

Speaker 2: 1:05:25

I want to chase that high, for sure.

Speaker 1: 1:05:27

Yeah, let's keep doing that, I think. I think, yeah, that was such a great show. I mean, we even talk about, uh, you know the other people, but you know yeah no one.

Speaker 2: 1:05:36

Lizzie were also great. I mean like all very different, but there's a through line, which is we listen to a lot of Lady Gaga growing up.

Speaker 1: 1:05:46

That was the three line. I guess I was looking for it, but I guess they were just Lady Gaga, uh yeah, I feel like Lady Gaga is actually the three line for reality.

Speaker 2: 1:05:57

Yeah For, for. For most New York musicians, most New York singers, it's like Gaga's, Gaga's. Uh, definitely, we worship at the shrine but, also quick fun story before we end. I so my parents live in Malibu and Lady Gaga literally lives down the street. And one time my parents are at the grocery store with my dog and this woman is like your dog is so cute, and my mom looks up and is like thank you, and it's literally Lady Gaga, like Miss Mrs Germanata in the flesh, and um, that's just, that's just LA baby.

Speaker 1: 1:06:44

Yeah, I yeah, no, totally. You know who's funny? I just saw at the beach. He was sitting right next to us. It was Kay Lani. No way. And I was like I was. I was sitting there, I was with my friends and I was just staring at her and I felt so I like felt bad doing it because I'm like, is that is that? And I was like on her Instagram 14.8 million followers I'm like, but that's are you? Yeah, and I was like I just couldn't help.

Speaker 2: 1:07:11

Yeah, Uh yeah, no, the neck tattoos are a pretty dead giveaway.

Speaker 1: 1:07:15

Yeah, face tattoo. I was like that's totally her. Yeah, anyway, uh, yeah. And also my friend did serve Lady Gaga coffee one time and said she was the nicest person ever and my buddy was not stoked because she came in like right before they closed and then his like coworker came up and was like you know, that was Lady Gaga, right Like the one you were just an asshole to.

Speaker 2: 1:07:38

He's like oh, I bet she appreciates when people are assholes to her because she's like, well, I feel like I get the princess treatment all the time, like it's nice to be treated like a person for sure.

Speaker 1: 1:07:50

I think on the coasts she's probably very well respected. I feel like middle America is probably a little a little torn up on Lady Gaga.

Speaker 2: 1:07:57

Definitely, definitely, um, but also, like she's, a badass.

Speaker 1: 1:08:01

Like you know, she handles her.

Speaker 2: 1:08:03

She's so. She's so mother. And also she started off cutting her teeth in New York clubs, just like us, you know, like she and Lana too, lizzie Grant at the time, like they were. There's old videos of them from like the aughts performing at, you know, boiler room or the bitter end, and like yeah just like so cool.

Speaker 1: 1:08:24

It's like oh well, Michael, what's the, what's the record store that you know the guy Jamal?

Speaker 3: 1:08:30

generation. I know that's not generation records, a different one. Um, oh, my God, this is going to kill me. Yeah, a village, village revival, village revival and he knows. Yeah, I want already to go in there and all that stuff right and yeah, I think he's on a first name basis with Dave Chappelle, Like he calls me you know, I think it was like so many people Like he's, just like I can imagine.

Speaker 2: 1:08:59

Yeah, I would be. I would be a very unshill um like host or waiter in like a shishi restaurant because I would not be able to like keep my shirt together.

Speaker 1: 1:09:14

But I mean, like I don't think that's true, I think you well.

Speaker 2: 1:09:17

I would be fine. I would be fine, but there's a couple people who like me, like, we'll just say that. Yeah, well, I got. Obviously. I think, um, if I'm at Harry Styles, I'd be so gagged, like I don't know, like it's not, I'm not necessarily like a huge Harry Styles fan. I just feel like I would be so, like what, like, if I'm at Zendaya I would feel this way, um, just like untouchable.

Speaker 1: 1:09:46

I really I really like Harry Styles, like the more, the more stuff I see of his. Like there was a Howard Stern show that he did and he was doing some old like covers and like I was like damn, this guy is like really really good, oh, he's, he's fan.

Speaker 2: 1:10:01

Hot take Harry Styles is really good. Hot take. Well, it is a hot take from the musician world.

Speaker 1: 1:10:06

Like like yeah, for people like me it's not usually like a thing that people are usually talking about, but he's incredible.

Speaker 2: 1:10:14

Oh, you know who. I would flip the fuck out if I met Fiona Apple.

Speaker 1: 1:10:19

Oh well, it's the same.

Speaker 2: 1:10:21

Because she just doesn't leave her house. So like that would be a true unicorn.

Speaker 1: 1:10:27

She is an example of one of the singers we're talking about at the start. You know or it's like they don't like being out that much- Exactly.

Speaker 2: 1:10:34

And she's one of my she's one of my biggest inspirations. It's like I'm like if Fiona Apple liked attention.

Speaker 1: 1:10:39

I could totally. There's your new Instagram bio.

Speaker 2: 1:10:43

Exactly.

Speaker 1: 1:10:44

Fiona Apple liked attention. Fuck, I feel like I could talk to you for so much longer. Right, I actually have to go bowling and I'm sure Michael has stuff to do. I'm sure you have stuff to do. Yeah, let's all. Let's do some shit when you get back in town, Absolutely. Thank you so much for doing this thing Like. This has been super fun and like.

Speaker 2: 1:11:02

I can't. Oh my God, here you go.