Home Town

Queens, NY

When did you know this is what you wanted to do?

There was a definite time lag of about seven years between realizing at 16 that I loved writing songs and wanted to play shows for a living, and actually giving myself permission to make it happen. It took me a while to realize that I was capable of making it happen, and that I deserved to try.

What projects are you working on now?

I have a new album called “Vanity” coming out August 2, 2019. It's hard for me to imagine a future beyond this current all-consuming project, but new songs are brewing and will find their way into the world at some point.

“All the weird things about you that people want you to extinguish are really your strengths!”

What is your dream project? Or dream collaboration?

I would love to score a great movie or create a soundtrack. Like Eddie Vedder did for Into The Wild.

List the accomplishment you are most proud of

1. I'm extremely proud of my close relationships with family and friends. Nothing else I achieve would be possible without my crew.

2. I am proud to stand behind the songs on my new record. They required a lot of self-reflection and creative reinvention. Each one tells a story I'm proud to share with the world, and that I hope people can relate to. 

3. I am very proud of my personal journey of the last few years, one that has led me to trust my instincts more, to prioritize my inner wellness, and to value my own company above all.

Who is your favorite character from a movie?

Merlin! From the BBC children's show Merlin. He's a cool ass wizard who is best friends with all the knights. CHILL.

What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self? What is one wish you have for your future self?

There's nothing wrong with you! Really! All the weird things about you that people want you to extinguish are really your strengths! You get to have opinions that others don't agree with! It's ok to grow apart from friends who make you feel bad about yourself! A lot of people who are mean to you are doing so because they're threatened by you or racist or sexist or all three and they can go to hell! Keep writing in your journal! Use more conditioner in your hair! The fact that a boy likes you doesn't mean that he is compatible with you! You're going to live your dreams, but it's going to be harder than you ever imagined! You have a killer instinct that will never fail you! You can say “no”!

What's your favorite makeup item?

Eyebrow gel brush thingy that makes me look like a trendy youth.

If you had one shot at a red carpet event what type of look would you go for?

I'm into all-white these days, so maybe a white tux. I could never top that Celine Dion backless white Oscar suit, but that's the bar I'd be hoping to reach.

Who do you admire and why? 

John Prine. He writes beautiful self-contained songs. And he started his own record label way before that was cool. Aimee Mann for the same reasons.