GRAVA
Q: "Loose Cannon" is your latest release. What initially sparked the idea for the song and what lyric eventually became the track?
A: It started with wanting to capture that specific kind of relationship dynamic where the guy says he wants the excitement, but then the second things actually get a little turbulent, he panics. I wanted to play with that thrill of toxicity and the push and pull. The whole concept really clicked once the “Boys love a loose cannon” line came out.
I felt like it had the right amount of attitude without trying too hard.
Q: What does the phrase "Loose Cannon" mean to you and why did it feel like the right title for this song?
A: To me, a loose cannon isn’t just someone who’s out of control. It’s someone who doesn’t really care about following all the polite and polished rules. Someone who owns the fact that they’re unpredictable, knowing that some chaos can be kind of magnetic. It felt like the right title because the song is really about leaning into that instead of apologizing for it.
Q: What was the most challenging part of bringing "Loose Cannon" from an initial idea to a finished recording?
A: The hardest part was definitely getting the balance between that nostalgic 2000s sound and something that still feels modern. I wanted it to have that early 2000s attitude, but I didn’t want it to just sound like we were trying to recreate an old song. We played around a lot with the production and vocals to make it feel current while still keeping that Y2K feel.
Q: Has there ever been a lyric you've written that made you realize something about yourself that you hadn't previously acknowledged?
A: Writing the line “So I overreact, don’t make me seem so evil, as if tomorrow you won’t beg me for the sequel” actually made me laugh at myself a little. It made me realize that sometimes I can kind of thrive on that cycle of tension and resolution. I guess I like keeping things spicy!
Q: What musical elements were most important in creating "Loose Cannon"'s atmosphere and personality?
A: I think the guitar plucking in the verses was what really started to give Loose Cannon its personality. I knew I wanted the verses to have more of a modern alt pop feel, and then have it twist into this Y2K groove when the chorus comes in. The bass and drums really drive the chorus for me. Cooper Carr, my producer and co-writer, was a huge part of taking that original idea and bringing it to life.
Q: Were there any artists, songs, or genres that influenced the sound of "Loose Cannon" while you were creating it?
A: I’ve always loved that nostalgic 90s and 2000s sound. I’m constantly inspired by artists like Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani, but I also love what artists like MARINA, Tate McRae, Addison Rae, and Billie Eilish are doing. I think I naturally like mixing those older influences with more modern sounds.
Q: Are there any particular albums or songs that you return to when you need inspiration or want to reconnect with why you started making music?
A: My all time favorite album isThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Whenever I need something to lift my mood, I put that album on and just dance around my room. I also have so many memories with my friends and family with that album playing in the background. My dad always introduced me to all different kinds of music growing up, but that album definitely stuck with me the most.
Q: Outside of music, what inspires you creatively? Are there particular films, books, or places that influence your work?
A: When I’m not writing music, I’m acting, so I feel like those two things really go hand in hand for me. I’ve always loved telling stories and writing poetry, and with acting and music I get to do that in two different ways. I’m also constantly inspired by watching new shows, seeing bands at small venues around Nashville, reading, or honestly just being out and experiencing new things.
Q: What initially made you want to pursue music, and what continues to motivate you to create today?
A: I’ve always kind of known I was going to pursue music. It was something I naturally gravitated toward. My mom always tells me that even as a baby I was constantly singing nursery rhymes lol. When I was four I started choir, and when I was five I started piano lessons. I was always so excited to go to lessons and practice. It was genuinely what I looked forward to the most in the week.
I’ve also always had a huge imagination. When I was around six, I would run around the house singing all these different songs I had written. Even when I was really little, music felt like an escape for me. Whenever I sat at the piano or started writing, it felt almost spiritual. That feeling is still a huge part of what motivates me now. My friends and family are also such a big part of it. They give me so much support and inspire me to keep going, especially when things get hard.
Q: Do you feel like you're still discovering your sound, or do you feel you've developed a distinct artistic identity at this point in your career?
A: I think there’s always room to grow, and I’m still experimenting with different sounds with every song I make. It actually took me a while to figure out what really felt like me because I loved making songs in so many different genres. But the more I wrote, the more I realized I always came back to pop. I definitely feel like I’m starting to develop a sound that feels more like my own, but I still want to keep experimenting.
Q: How do you protect your creative identity while navigating outside opinions, expectations, and the pressure to constantly release new material?
A: You really have to develop thick skin and trust your own gut over algorithms or industry noise. If you try to please everyone, you’ll end up making music for no one. I try to protect my identity by staying in my own little creative bubble when I’m writing and only letting the outside world in when I’m ready. I think having boundaries is really important for protecting your creativity.
Q: What have you learned about yourself through the process of releasing music that you didn't know when you first began?
A: I started releasing singles when I was 10, so I’ve had a lot of time to learn from it. I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that sometimes you have to let go of the pressure you put on yourself once a song is released. You have to remember the song isn’t just yours, it belongs to the listeners too, and that’s the best part. Seeing people connect their own experiences to my lyrics is one of my favorite parts of releasing music, and it’s taught me to embrace that vulnerability instead of being scared of it.
Q: Now that "Loose Cannon" is out, what are you most excited to work on next?
A: Right now I’m working on an album, which I’m really, really excited about. It’s been such an incredible experience working with Cooper and getting to make the album I’ve always dreamed of creating. I feel like I’m finally getting to put so many of the ideas and sounds I’ve had in my head into one project.
Q: Are there any dream collaborators, producers, writers, or artists you'd love to work with in the future?
A: My dream collaborators would definitely be Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, and PinkPantheress. I love all of them for different reasons, and getting to create a song with any of them would be a dream come true.
Q: If you could accomplish one thing with your music over the next year, what would make you look back and feel genuinely proud?
A: I would love to build a really loyal community of fans who treat my music like their own personal soundtrack, the way The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill became a soundtrack to so many of my memories. If someone can hear one of my songs years from now and immediately think of a person, a place, or a moment in their life, that would make me really proud.
Q: What is one dream you've had for your music that still feels a little intimidating to say out loud?
A: It’s definitely intimidating to say out loud, but I’ve always dreamed of selling out stadiums. I want to one day look out and see people screaming my lyrics right back at me and know that the music means something to them. And I want to give them the best concert they’ve ever been to.
Q: Finally, if you could leave a message for someone who's about to hear your music for the very first time, what would you say to them?
A: If you’re hearing my music for the first time, I hope you have fun with it and just let yourself escape into it. I put a lot of myself into my songs, whether it’s the messy parts, the dramatic parts, or the fun parts. I hope you can find something in the music that feels like you, whether it’s a lyric, a feeling, or even just a song you want to scream in the car. And hopefully, this is just the beginning!
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