Q1: What type of music do you play? Could you describe a little bit more what it means to you to be playing this genre of music?
I don’t like to limit my music to one genre since I get my influences from just about everywhere, however I would consider my music to be a mix of indie, pop, and country. I love the lyricism and complex storylines in country music, so I definitely want to incorporate that in my own songwriting. The soaring melodies in pop are another important part of my writing process because a catchy melody can go a long way.
Q2: In what fashion group would you consider yourself into? What does this fashion mean to you?
Over the years I have developed my sense of fashion, especially onstage. Now I typically wear a sundress with a leather jacket and motorcycle boots to contrast the country, summery style of the dresses with the harder rock edge of the jacket and boots, just as I contrast pop and country in my music.
Q3: During a performance do you feel that your appearance must express the type of music you’re playing and Why?
I definitely believe that during a performance my appearance must express the type of music I am playing. It is always important for an artist to have a clear image of themselves and their music. For me, I know I have a genre-bending sound and a harder rock edge than some country music, therefore I like to show that darker side of my music in my appearance.
Q4: How would you say that your appearance reflects the music you play?
I think a lot of the lyrics I write, even in upbeat songs, tend to have a dark underlying theme. That is why I tend to wear black or darker colors onstage along with brighter, more vivid colors, to show both sides of my music.
Q5: Do you feel that you have to dress up a certain way for the fans? Can you explain a bit more how it feels? Does it pressure you or make the experience more enjoyable and how?
I have always dressed the way I wanted to, and I try not to follow trends just because they are hip in the moment. I developed my image as an artist before I had any fans and so I think the people who listen to my music like both my music and my fashion sense for what they are, and not because I changed them specifically for other people. Since my music started to get noticed on TikTok, I have been able to grow my fanbase and people from all over the world are currently listening to my music. Though I do feel a pressure to give the fans what they want to hear, I also always want to make sure I am making music for myself and doing what I love, not getting carried away by other peoples’ opinions.
Q6: How does it feel to be able to appear in front of an audience with your sense of fashion there, on stage? Does it excite you that you can express yourself so openly? Can you talk about maybe the effect that it has on the audience, how they react to it?
I feel more confident onstage than anywhere else in the world. When I am able to play my music in front of a live audience I feel euphoric. To appear in front of an audience with my sense of fashion I feel comfortable in my own skin, because my outfits always clearly represent me as a person. I love being able to express myself through fashion, a medium just like writing songs and singing that I can use to show people more about myself. I think the combination of my songs with my fashion sense conveys to the audience a very clear image and feeling of my music and who I am.
Q7: Does it make you question yourself that you have to be different on stage and when you’re not on stage? (if this is the case)
I feel as if the person I am onstage is essentially just a more outgoing version of my real self. I have to project and perform to convey my enthusiasm to the audience, however I do think I am more myself onstage than I am anywhere else. I just get to forget about everything else and have fun playing my music.
Q8: Has your appearance ever helped you to gain more attention? Can you explain any situation where this happened? And maybe what type of people (from which fashion group) your appearance attracts?
In multiple situations while working in the music industry I have been able to attract professional attention through my appearance. Industry people tend to notice that I tie my fashion sense in with my music and that it represents my songs as well as who I am. I have talked to people on the staff of record labels before and they have noted that my outfits are unusual for country music, however they do fit my sound perfectly. I typically hear comments from people who dress in a classic Southern style, which is one of my favorite styles, but I always pair a Draper James dress with a leather or varsity jacket to change it up.
Q9: Do you think that your appearance is a must or is irrelevant when you’re on stage and why is it so?
I think my appearance is a must when I’m onstage. Even if I’m dressed down I make a point to still wear boots and a jacket. Since I tie my fashion in with my music I think it adds to my performance, as if my outfit is a part of my band.
Q10: Have you ever used your appearance to make a statement at any point in time both as an individual or as a musician/performer? Can you describe it?
When I was switching over from a more traditional country sound to a more modern and edgy pop-country sound, I remember starting to incorporate the color black, leather, and boots into my outfits more and more. I used to only wear bright dresses and sandals or heels, but as I developed my sound I also developed my style.
Q11: Is there anything you want your appearance to inspire and can you talk a bit about it?
I hope my style inspires other young artists to establish their image along with their sound. I find fashion to be such an important part of self-expression and getting to wear what I want onstage without people telling me how to dress gives me so much confidence in myself and my music. If artists have as much of a passion for fashion as I do, they should try to branch out of the normal styles and try to find something that is all their own, just as I did for myself.
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