Aunty Social's new single, Aunty Depressants, is out now! We caught up with the musician to chat about the release and more.
Image: Supplied.
Could you tell us a bit about your musical background and what led you to pursuing a career in music?
I’ve been singing since I was a little kid but never really thought of it as a career. Music was a personal thing and I think I was scared to fail at it. By my early 20’s, in my 2nd year of college I felt a strong urge to drop everything and put all my efforts towards a music career. My parents weren’t happy about me dropping out so I promised them that if nothing substantial happens in a year, I’ll go back to college. It's been 3 years since then!
Congratulations on the release of your new single Aunty Depressants. Tell us a bit about the conceptual nature of the track and the inspiration behind it?
Thank you! The lyrics are about the withdrawal period of my anti-depressants. It was really rough and confusing so I catalogued all my withdrawal symptoms in my journal. When I was thinking up a melody for the instrumental, I looked through my journal and ended up forming a vocal melody by singing that entry.
How important was it for you to document these themes on the track and share this story with the world?
It wasn’t my intent originally, It just sort of happened. The more the song progressed, the more it made sense. When I use one of my journal entries to help structure a melody, I try not to change the content of it.
The release arrives alongside an engaging visual. Can you walk us through your process when it comes to conceptualising the clip for Aunty Depressants and how involved are you with the development of the visuals?
I decided to take full control in writing, directing, and editing all the visuals with the guidance and assistance of some very wise film friends. For this song, I wanted to create a parody of prescription drug commercials. Pharmaceutical companies use shady, manipulative tactics to target people in vulnerable situations. Marketing a hat by putting it on a cool looking dude who’s surrounded by pretty women is exactly like marketing a powerful prescription drug using thunderstorms and sad people looking out foggy windows.
How important are the visuals to you when it comes to portraying the stories and themes present on the songs?
Very important because I don’t ever feel like I get my point across, not because people can’t understand, but because I don’t feel I communicate it correctly so the more tools, the better I can express an idea.
What’s one line from the song you find at times could be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
“I’m a pacifist and a masochist cause I like the irony!”
If Aunty Depressants was a piece of pre-existing visual art (painting, sculpture, photograph etc), which artwork would it be?
Maybe those knock-off, mass printed versions of Ophelia by John Everett. I have one above my bed.
Do you have a particular creative process you follow when writing and recording or does each song take on its own?
When I don’t have a direction instrumentally or vocally I will just pick a random software synth and play around with it until I find a cool melody then just build from there.
Toronto has a diverse and vibrant music scene, who are some of your favourite acts that you think we should be listening to and why?
Dilly Dally is a cool grunge band and the lead singer's voice reminds me of Alison Shaw. Luge is great, energetic and really weird. Lots to learn from them. Also my co-producer Sam’s project Mute Choir is so good and I am not just saying that because we are friends, I actually hate his guts.
What do you have in store for the rest of 2021? Will we be seeing an album or EP, and if so what can listeners expect from it?
Will be releasing my EP September 24th plus a live show at The Drake! Come!!! You can expect more sensory overload and oversharing.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Animal Collective, Strawberry Switchblade
Dream collaboration?
Kate Bush
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Utakata No Hibi by Mariah
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Overstimulating, eager, cathartic
Best song of 2021 so far?
All the words we don’t say by Hiatus Kaiyote
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Studio Ghibli if I played piano well
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Miley Cyrus
A song you would love to cover on tour?
Remembering Sunday by All Time Low
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Lonerism by Tame Impala
First concert you went to?
Warped Tour 2008 or 9?
First album you ever bought?
With my own money I think Metro Station or The Con by Teegan and Sara
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy?
Spice Girl!
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
All Spice
Guilty music pleasure?
I don’t feel guilt about any music I listen to, all is valuable!
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Cherry glazerr or Grimes
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Doja Cat
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Stop trying to be interesting
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
After watching the video of Michael Jackson singing Who’s Loving You on the Ed Sullivan Show
Aunty Depressants is out now! Watch the visual below