Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
When I first heard the bridge of ‘Gotta Go My Own Way’ in High School Musical 2, I was inspired to get my emotions out through song. Hahaha, I’m kidding, well… Kind of. I have always loved writing, and I’ve written in all forms such as prose, poetry, and script, but songwriting was ultimately the most fulfilling form for me.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
I am a solo artist called Ettie. I have been releasing music since 2019 but I have been songwriting since I was a kid really! I was heavily inspired by pop-punk bands to start creating music with the same sonic elements but retold almost through a queer lens. I’m loud about being gay and I’m loud in my songs.
Name me your 3 favorite Albums.
‘Let Go’ – Avril Lavigne, ‘Riot!’ – Paramore, ‘The Record’ – boygenius. However the boygenius one is super recent since it just came out, so it was previously also another Paramore album, ‘Brand New Eyes.’
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
…. No, I won’t continue the High School Musical thing haha. When I heard “For a Pessimist I’m Pretty Optimistic” – Paramore I started seeing that my love for playing with words was able to translate into song, and that really pushed me.
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
I agree! I think it’s always important to remember that progress is not linear. And while the numbers might not be what you want, you’re constantly improving just by showing up every day. So I like to think at all moments I’m being directed to the right path. Before I started releasing music I always thought “all you need to do is connect with one person and then you’ve made it.” So I try hold onto that at my core.
I’m seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?
Men need to be allies to women, and understand that they also could be making us uncomfortable even if you don’t see yourself as a “bad guy.” Gigs are often male-dominated spaces, especially in pop-punk, so as a woman it’s easy to feel intimidated. Especially when boys try to flex about how much they know about music equipment, or how they know the organiser, or the or the owner’s brother’s-sister’s-dog’s-best-friend who introduced them to this venue. Women are as entitled to be there as men are, and we need to be treated with just as much respect.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
TikTok has been amazing. Due to the algorithm it makes it so much easier to connect with people who like the same stuff as you.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you?
My full name is a French boy’s name.
I know how to distil gin.
I am allergic to horses.
What’s your thought on Spotify’s monopoly on the music industry?
It’s so complex because Spotify makes access to music so easy. However they abuse their role in the music industry to not pay artists fairly. They wouldn’t have a platform without artists, and they need to be reminded of that.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
I am a hardcore Gaylor.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
I once bought very expensive vanilla-flavoured almond milk to enjoy, and as soon as I opened it I found out I had lost my taste and smell.
What was the worst experience on stage?
I once blew the power of the sound system because of my harmoniser pedal. That was mortifying.
Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about.
I wanted to be a marine biologist growing up.
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
I am making pop-punk super queer one song at a time. I want the gays to reignite their emo phase and get loud and feral with me.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
My new single ‘Miserable Life’ is out now!! I have never been more excited for a song than I have ever before. It’s about someone who tried to make my life hell just be existing, and I just want them to feel as bad as they made me feel for 2 minutes and 38 seconds.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.
I wrote it on my lunch break. I was going into a session with my producer Patch Chiverton for the first time, and I had a lot of concepts prepared. However on my break I started thinking about this person, and I kept singing “I hope you have such a miserable life” around and around in my head.
What was the recording process like?
I came to patch with the full song, and he loved it. So we started recording it then and there. We established we had the same influences as Paramore and Blink-182, so it grew really organically.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
I took a 6-month break from writing music. I was in a really bad place, and I needed to take care of myself. So getting back into writing was definitely about accepting myself again, and that was really hard.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Not at all, just want to get it out there!
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Don’t let anyone bring you down just by being you. Their life must be so miserable if they spend so much time thinking about tearing you down, it’s all them and none of you.
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