SYDNEY DALE TALKS GIRL YOU CALL A FRIEND

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

What is 'Girl You Call A Friend' about?

This song is about your significant other, not physically, but mentally cheating on you. It’s about always feeling like the second option even in, what seemed to be, a committed relationship. The song started out with a chord progression on the acoustic guitar and the lyrics just started pouring out of my mouth. I wrote this song in Nashville and at the time I was dating this boy and he literally was lying about hanging out with “the girl he called a friend” while I was on the plane ride to Nashville.

It's a very real song, unfolding your heart this way?

I feel like this is the way my music comes across because I grew up on folk and country music. I write very straightforward songs.

Do you personally listen to a lot of narrative-driven music that influenced your expression, or has that always just been the most natural way for you to write?

It genuinely is just how I tend to write, even if you listen back to songs that I wrote as an eleven year old girl, I’ve always had that style.

When your first single released you were only fourteen, but so you started writing years earlier?

I have been consciously writing music since I was ten years old, but I’ve always had melodies floating around in my head for as long as I can remember.

Are there any particular instruments you prefer, when you’re in the process of making your music?

Definitely acoustic guitar and piano because it brings me back to my roots and I love a good acoustic song. Every once in a while I like to put the ukulele in because it was technically my first instrument.

The song now had a summer to vent, and seemingly got plenty of time on stage in this time as well, as you’ve been and continue to be out performing a lot. You seem to love on stage?

Yes. Performing is definitely a passion of mine. I truly feel like myself when I’m up on the stage. I can’t wait to perform in front of more people!

Will you continue to tour way into fall as well or are you maybe looking to turn inward and create a little more?

Fall and winter are always a little bit slower, but I do have a couple big shows planned. I am trying to focus on letting myself be creative.