AVERY KOTLER TALKS I'M IN LOVE BUT YOU'RE IN LUST

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

When did the making of ‘I’m In Love But You’re In Lust’ start?

The making of "Iilbyil" started, as most of my songs tend to, with a tiny little idea in my bedroom. I think this song represents most of the relationships and experiences I had in college. I just had this vision of myself in a frat house surrounded by literal trash, like empty beer–cans, with music I hate blaring. All while trying to make a guy who does not care at all fall in love with me and who if I met now I would hate. (Laughs) If 'I'm In Love But You're In Lust' was a movie the audience would be screaming for me to run home and touch some grass. While this is definitely not the most ideal situation there is a comedic element that I hope comes through in this song.

Whether love or lust, the passion you have for music is obvious. How long have you had pop in your life?

For as long as I can remember I’ve been obsessed with music, one of my earliest memories is listening to music in the car and hearing harmonies for the first time, I'm pretty sure it was a Sheryl Crow-song, and asking my mom how many people were singing and how they all had the same tone, I think I was four. Ever since then I just remember being obsessed. Definitely first as a consumer I would lock myself in my room for hours and listen to albums top to bottom over and over. I was a part of every fan base. Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, One Direction, I did not discriminate. Once I had my first heartbreak it's like the floodgates opened and my little songs that were once for something childish like a bake sale, became my religion. Once again, I locked myself in my room now just a decade older writing my own music.

Any particular instruments you prefer working with?

I love the guitar. I also really do love writing with other people, I have my producers and my friends Jordan Reifkind, Langdon Dearborn and Jamie Gelman.

What do you think it means for you, personally, having music and creativity as this outlet throughout living life?

Having music as an outlet kind of feels like a huge safety net under everything I do. I'm not sure if this makes sense, but say something horrible happens there is no better feeling than writing a song about how I feel and getting it off my chest. The even cooler part now is having people relate to these confessions and finding their own meanings in my songs.

Are your lyrics usually born in the heart of the experience while you are still living those thoughts and feelings—or more so as a way of looking back later with hindsight and fresh perspective?

This is something I love about songwriting, sometimes nothing hits more than writing in the heat of the moment and in the present as it always makes for a really raw and gut wrenching song. I do love these songs because they're really relatable for the listener and allow them to connect with the lyrics. On the other hand some things I need a few business days or even a few months to process to even begin to know what story I am telling. To me these songs feel more wise. In my opinion neither is right or wrong, just two different vibes and perspectives.

If we were to manifest a little bit, what future do you hope awaits for your pop?

Ooo I love manifesting. I really just hope I am still making music and would love to open for someone in concert and meet some fans. I also have a concept for an EP and I am really just excited and hopeful to have that come to fruition. I'm just really ready to go as big as the universe will allow for me.

Are you thinking of doing something extra to mark the occasion of your debut—single anniversary?

Expect new music.

So what is next?

This next song coming up is super different from what I have released in the past. Maybe a little genre blending. I wrote this song in like actually ten minutes and I was like "Um what just happened and what just came out of me", it actually was so strange and so magical. I do have slight imposter syndrome with this song because it was so effortless I feel like I got possessed with this one I think some people call this writer’s flow. I’m not sure I want to say too much of what it's about, but it's definitely a theme that I think a lot of people, and especially young girls, will be able to relate to.