Following the release of her single Party, we caught an interview with singer and artist Audrey to find out more about her musical journey so far. Here’s how it went.
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Hey – thanks for your time with this!
Hiiiii. No, thank you.
For those who are new to your sound, how would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m about underdog empowerment – being fully yourself and being okay with it, being unapologetic about it. Normalizing nonconformity. Wearing what you want, writing what you want. I grew up really shy and unsure of myself. In my Korean household, it was expected of you to respect your elders, not talk back, follow directions.
I recently moved to New York for school and at the same time started writing and recording these songs – Party being one of them. A lot of the unreleased songs are straight-up bizarre and I love them just as much – that’s what’s been most liberating. There’s a scary amount of things that I want to make and do and share, beyond music too. I wanna start a funnel cake company, make clothes, etc …
How did the song Party come to be?
So, my manager Anwar, who I also make music with, sent me this beat. It was lush as hell. But at the time everything I came up with – I just knew they weren’t it. A few months go by, la la la. He resent it to me, this time with some fat drums and 808s done by The Innovatorz out in Chicago. Immediately I heard the “party” hook. I face-timed Anwar later that day and I was just like, “yeaaah, this is what I’m hearing, I don’t know.” He was immediately shook – he was just like “YES. That’s it. That’s the one.” Pretty sure we finished the song over Face-time. We recorded it the next day.
How does this song differ to what you’ve put out in the past?
I only have one other song out, called 80deg. They’re very different but also very similar – they have the same blood. 80deg is weirder, and it’s more personal, it’s about escaping the mediocrity that you’ve been settling for. Party is more outward, it’s about someone who bases their worth off how much they party. It’s also about societal need for entertainment, for distraction from reality. I love writing because I can write about anything – hating myself, loving myself, Swiss cheese, parking lots. I’m never going to put myself in a box regarding what I can sing about.
As a young artist you’ve already had some pretty colourful and impressive moments within your career, what have been some of your proudest or most memorable experiences so far?
Thanks! I loved my first show at the Bowery Electric. It was itty bitty, super intimate, but all my real ones were there <3.
If you could perform at any venue or event in the world, which would it be, and why?
I wanna perform my album in a Popeyes. Govball would be alright too.
If you could collaborate with any other artist, past or present, who would you choose?
Wintertime. Flying Lotus. Both would be sick. John Yuyi is so badass too.
What are some of the most important values or qualities you want to present as an artist?
Freedom – freeing yourself from fear of what other people think. Following your intuition, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Tripling down on your God-given strengths rather than pleasing everyone. Kindness – being a good person is the coolest. Women being valued and respected for their minds and their skills as much and more than they are admired for their beauty. Proper minority representation in mainstream media. I went slightly ham, oops…
What’s the best way people who enjoy your music can support you right now?
Tell your friends and their grandmas about it.
What’s next for you – what are your hopes creatively over the coming months and years?
I just wanna keep making songs, making videos, eating Chipotle, playing live. I’m patient but I’m scheming all the time.
Is there anything else we should know?
Let us be friends – find me @helloavdrey on everything. And hi mom.
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Find & follow Audrey on Facebook, Soundcloud & Instagram. Visit her Website for more info. Photos by Alberto Garcia.
