Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. What a prolific career you have had. Can you tell us how and why you first decided to become a songwriter and musician?
Omg thank you!! It’s been a wild ride for sure. Back in 2001, the massive blockbuster flop Josie and the Pussycats changed the chemistry in my brain. The soundtrack was incredible, and seeing a fictional all-girl band kick ass during a time when sausage party pop punk bands ruled the world was massively inspiring.
My grandparents raised me, and they LOVED music. So when I told them I would love to learn guitar, they started me on lessons the next week. No matter how much obnoxious punk music I played, they were my biggest fans.
By high school, songs were pouring out of me. So I started a band and recorded all of my ideas on an OG MacBook. My Grandpa took notice, and he told me that his best friend’s son produced music professionally. His name was Tomas Costanza, and at 16 I interned for him at Killingsworth Recording Company. I shadowed him during creative sessions and became addicted to the song development process. The energy in the room. The collaborative wins. Catching the lightning. That’s how I got hooked.
How did you begin to write and produce for the likes of Alaska Thunderfuck, Trixie Mattel, and KATYA? How do these artists inspire you?
In 2012 I got the opportunity to write for a number of RuPaul’s Drag Race girls with Tomas at the production helm. It was so surreal for me because I’ve been a fan since season 1. I understood the world and had a ton of respect for the queens, so I happily spent as much time as it took to fine-tune their music with them. Word got around that I was a multi-genre pop writer that drag queens could trust, and I accepted my fate with all the love in my lil fruit fly heart. I can get weird with Katya, bask in the bubblegum of it all with Trixie, and get funny-fierce with Alaska because I am inspired by the worlds they build for us meer mortals.
Take us through your creative songwriting process?
My favorite way of writing a song starts with a solid instrumental track made by me or a producer/beat maker. Then the artist and I decide what the track is about, land on a strong title, and from there the song pretty much writes itself.
How would you describe your musical style?
My musical style is fluidly formulaic.
“Fluidly” because there has to be a feeling of emotional freedom in my writing sessions. Creating a safe space for whatever energy enters the room is a must. Comfort snacks are mandatory. Of course there will be some deep moments of thought and problem solving musically, but a great song lives and breathes when feelings are fluid.
