Enfnts Terribles

You started your career in 2014 as a duo act with New Zealand-born producer Brady Daniell-Smith, but then you became a solo artist in 2018. What was that like?

Brady and I did a great album together, called Lovers, but eventually, we wanted to do different things: one wanted to write while the other wanted to tour. So, we figured out it was best to go in separate ways. For me, it was a healthy move to be on my own feet and figure out who I was as an artist by myself, without being influenced by others.

In the beginning, working solo was totally new, so, of course, it was hard and challenging. I remember being insecure about myself and who I was as an artist. But the first song I wrote without him was “Thank me Later” and at that point, I understood that I had something to offer, even just by myself.

How did your sound evolve back then?

While Lovers sounded more melancholic, my solo record Dream Girl was more organic and happier. But I don’t know if that’s truly my sound either because it was just a phase in my life. Being on my own, made me feel free, and I think Dream Girl reflected that feeling of freedom. I tried all kinds of things out, experimented a lot, and just had fun with music. And I believe you can hear that in the music.

In what way is your upcoming EP different?

Well, it’s completely different actually, because we’re in a totally new situation with the coronavirus and not being able to travel. Believe is inspired by that. It’s a home-made EP, which happened over time just from being at home. I figured out quickly that I wanted it to sound home-made as well because that suits me today. It’s my mood. Home-made music fits this time because it hasn’t been the happiest year, but we’re still hopeful.

So, you’d describe your EP’s sound as home-made?

Yeah, it’s all done at home. For one track, my dad is playing the piano, and we recorded all the vocals at home as we didn’t go to studios or everything you’d normally do. With Dream Girl, we spent a lot of time trying to make it perfect, but now I didn’t over-analyze my music. In that way, it’s freer and you could even say that all my tracks are a rough demo now. (laughs) Does that make sense?

A big commercial used your music without permission, what happened?

Well, I just woke up one day and some fans asked me if I was working with this company called Vivo, because they were using my song “Dream Girl”, but it wasn’t me singing. I was shocked, like: “What?!” Then I heard it, and I was mind blown about how similar the song was, so they obviously had stolen it. My fans went really hard on Vivo and eventually, the company got in touch and fixed the problem. Of course, it’s not fun, but at some point, you just have to take it as a compliment that they wanted to use your song, so I got over it.

On your social media, I spy smiley tattoos everywhere, what’s the story behind that?

Around three or four years ago, I took a tattoo when I was really heartbroken. It was like when Britney Spears shaved her head. (laughs) I just needed to do something, change something, and I wanted a smiley to remind me that I’m always happy. (laughs) It became a thing when fans around the world took the same tattoo, so now we’re a group of smiling people with the same tattoo.

What goals would make you smile even more in the future?

I’m actually really happy with where I am right now, I’ve never been a big dreamer. I just want to be able to keep on doing music and see how far that can take me. Of course, I want the coronavirus to go away and be able to tour more. I’d love to deliver my next album as a killer. But is it weird that my biggest dream right now is just to go to Greece and lay on an island’s beach?

Photos by Lisa Alexandra