LUVSIKGRL TALKS LET IT HURT
"Some thoughts I need to put into words"
Daniel John
Perhaps not too surprising a lovesick thread runs through this album, what do this album embody for you exactly?
This album embodies a specific time in my life. I wrote all but one of the songs within the span of a year. The themes of nostalgia, loneliness and codependency, they all just kind of revealed themselves because that’s what I was experiencing at the time.
What was the process like crafting a full length album?
Luckily for me I made all of these songs with my friend and producer, Stephen. He helps see the songs through from start to finish. The process of writing and recording the songs, that was easy, but we spent countless hours going back and forth finalizing the mixes and masters. And then finally I got to spend some time making visuals and music videos to go with the songs and that was fun!
Did you get to have the rare privilege of feeling with complete certainty that the work was finished as you let go of it?
Some of the songs came more easily than others, but I really just worked on everything until I couldn’t anymore. When I’m stoked on a new song that I just wrote, I’ll listen on repeat. But at this point I have probably heard every song at least a hundred times and releasing this album was my way of accepting that it is time to move on.
With a debut song called ‘false start’ what did your true start in music look like?
I picked 'false start' as a first single because I like it and I’m really proud of that song. I’ve always been a songwriter and I got my start in the industry by singing toplines for EDM DJs. As I got to know myself better I decided to create a "brand" that fully represents me, it is also very important to me that all my songs sound good when played on shuffle. I want my sound to be undeniably me.
Your music seamlessly blends lush sonic textures into a sound that stand apart. What influences would you say that you stand on?
Growing up I listened to artists like Fall Out Boy, Chiodos, and Flyleaf. I also love Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean. Moving forward tho, I want to experiment more with trap beats and work with rappers.
It's a very human feeling, wanting to be so desired or even just accepted that we hide our deepest imperfections, afraid of being judged or feeling alone in them. Do you think music allows you to be open with your hurt in ways you otherwise just couldn't be?
One hundred percent. Most of my music is just me venting about real things I am going through and if other people like listening to it, that’s just a bonus. I write music because there is something I need to let out, some thoughts I need to put into words or melodies that are stuck in my head. Artists need to be selfish like that. That is when we make the best music.
The first song on the album, ‘if you want to hurt me’ delves into some kind of a need for love and taking it in any form it comes in. Would you say by the end of the album, where you are now, you’re feeling more self-love?
I’m definitely at a better place in life. A lot of it is just perspective, but I am grateful to have a positive perspective now. At the same time, patterns run deep and even when I’m at my best, I still get tested all the time, and it helps me grow. Having this project gives me something to go back to when I’m triggered or feeling low. Some say sad emotions are the most intense, so I’ll continue to explore them in my music.
