FIOR TALKS LET ME GO

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

There is a lot of judgment in the world, period. Not least with social media, everybody is judging everything. But most of us are still not on magazine covers or pouring our heart out in songs. So what is that like?

It's a yes and a no. The modeling was also new to me and I am very shy, I do not like putting myself out there like that so it was definitely out of my comfort zone but something I knew I had to do to push myself if I really want to pursue a career in the public eye. I’m fortunate that I have a lot of love and support from the people in my life, who encourage me to take risks and push boundaries while ignoring my insecurities and fears. I also think the magazine photo shoots were a lot easier because you have time to review and edit pictures with the publisher.

Did your time in front of the camera prepare you for making this music video?

The music video was filmed in three scenes, each in a single continuous take, and it’s just totally me, raw, and unfiltered. I’m not going to lie I was scared to death making that music video, I only had two days to rehearse and I have never done any choreography or acting before that, and it was freezing cold out in the Mojave Desert, but I am so happy with the end result and all of the positive feedback I'm getting and I am really looking forward to doing it again.

Having something to say can be a vulnerable thing, even without addressing it to the entire world. On the outside looking in, you give a real sense of independence and self-confidence. Would you say that you are?

I think I am confident in my feelings, values, and convictions. But I am still working on accepting that this is who I am. I have wanted to pursue music since I was a little girl but it’s something I have been doing in the privacy of my own bedroom since I was eight years old. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to share it with the world. So it really took me twelve years to gain that confidence to sing outside of my bedroom, and every day I am gaining more and more confidence but there’s always that fear as a performer that I think for many of us never goes away, which is that you’re not going to deliver to other people’s expectations. But again this is very new for me, I only just started rehearsing live with a band, so only time will tell. I hope one day I’ll be able to take a stage totally empowered to not care what other people think, but I am not there yet.

Pop stars used to, or at least tried to, curate the way thoughts and gazes came their way. Your generation does not. Quite to the contrary you are extraordinarily down to earth and authentic. Vulnerability used to be a risk because artists felt like one wrong move could make or break them. Why do you think songwriters now lay vulnerabilities bare?

I really appreciate you saying that. The one thing that people say consistently about my music and voice is that it’s authentic and that is really very important to me. The same goes for who I am as a person. It’s very hard to be an artist with people constantly telling you who you should be. All I ever want to be is myself. And no I don’t think that is hard, being yourself should be the easiest thing to do. Pretending to be anyone else is hard. I think artists are now more willing to lay their vulnerabilities bare because it’s time that we take a stand against the pressures of social media and comments and opinions from people who may be at a dark place in their life and don’t actually reflect our values and beliefs about ourselves. I always say that self-love is the best love, I don’t need validation from anyone else but myself.

What music did you listen to when you were growing up?

I was first introduced to music by my parents at a really young age. My parents loved Bruce Springsteen, they used to play 'Thunder Road' for us every night at bedtime. Also a lot of Jack Johnson, Clash, Stevie Nicks, Adele, Michael Jackson and Billy Joel. My mom grew up in California and is a huge fan of West Coast-rap so she probably played way more NWA, Warren G, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg than I should have heard as a little girl! I also started going to concerts too when I was really young, I saw Justin Bieber very early in his career at the California Mid-State Fair, I was a huge Belieber! I think all of those artists inspired me, but really it’s just the sound of music that ignites a fire in my soul.

Did you always know it was what you wanted to do as well?

Like I said I was influenced by music from an early age, but I think it was really when I discovered Adele that I knew who I wanted to be as an artist. Even though I was too young to have experienced, or totally understand, the things that she was singing about, it made me feel such a deep emotional connection to her, and I knew that one day I wanted to grow up and be able to connect to people the same way. Music is such a powerful form of communication and I really enjoy storytelling through music. I can’t explain how happy it makes me to be hearing from people telling me how 'Let Me Go' relates to their own personal experiences. I want nothing more than for people to feel these songs and my words as if they are their own.

What do you personally get out songwriting?

Music is my diary. It brings me peace. It helps me cope with my emotions and also express my inner desires. I’ve always had a hard time speaking my mind through regular conversation, but when I listen to the sound of music my feelings just pour out of me. I hope to express all of the above through my music, I just want to get my feelings off my chest. And I truly want to be a voice for our generation to also help them express themselves when they feel like they are not being seen or heard.

What meaning does 'Let Me Go' hold for you?

'Let Me Go' has multiple meanings for me. At first it was inspired by a toxic cycle of the boy that I loved always pulling me back in, yet never fully wanting to commit. Coincidentally at the same time that I started going into the music studio was at a point that I was finally fed up with that relationship. I realized that here I was in a music studio, finally pursuing my dream and I didn’t have energy to spend on something that was holding me back, including my insecurities about sharing my music. I really had a breakthrough in that moment, I finally felt like I could say all the things I had been thinking to that boy and actually be heard for the first timke, and now it was time to let me go!

How do you see things unfolding from here?

Right now my plan is to release a second single by April. I think people will really vibe with the next song. It is a really fun disco-pop-soul track called 'Yoyo', produced by Scott Storch and co-written with multi-platinum artist Kent Jones who are just both such artistic geniuses. After that I will put out an EP, definitely over the summer, followed by a full-length album hopefully by the end of the year if not early next year. I already have twenty songs recorded so I am definitely on my way there! My music is a great mix of soul, RnB, pop and rock n’ roll! I might even surprise you with a little bit of country who knows!