good morning is out now!
Image: Supplied.
Singer-songwriter Indya Love recently unveiled her glistening debut single good morning. We caught up with the singer to chat about the release, working on the song with her father, Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, self-directing her visuals and so much more!
Tell us a bit about your musical background and what led you to pursuing a career in music…
Growing up, music was everything. There wasn't a day that went by where I wasn't listening to something or someone else in the house wasn't singing or playing guitar. To be completely honest, I always have had such a massive love for music, but I never really thought of it as something I would do. It all happened quite quickly. I hit a point in my life where I didn't really feel much anymore; I felt numb and wanted to distract my mind from everything I was thinking. So that's when I wrote my first song, 'Good Morning.'
Linking to that, you’ve grown up around the music industry. How do you think your observations and growing up with a glimpse into the industry through your father’s career helped shape your own approach to navigating a career in music?
It definitely helped me understand the ups and downs the industry can bring and how there's no right or wrong way to do it because everyone's journey is entirely different. And most importantly, you have to be confident in what you're doing and really gotta love it.
Congratulations on the release of your debut single good morning! The song marks your first written and recorded track, why was now the right time to introduce yourself as an artist and songwriter?
Good Morning was actually the first song I properly wrote and finished. It described exactly how I felt at that particular point in my life, and it felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders hearing it back in the studio. I just wanted to put it out there, so maybe someone else could feel some sort of emotion towards it.
Tell us a bit about the conceptual nature of the track and the inspiration behind it…
The song itself is incredibly personal to me, and I want anyone listening to it to feel like they can make it personal to them... so let's keep it to the imagination.
The recording features additional electric guitar from your father, Dave Stewart. What was that experience like working together on the song?
My Dad and I always laugh together. It was truly organic the whole process. We were sitting in the studio the day I recorded the song, and I got out of the vocal booth, sat down, and listened to it. After listening once, my dad just plugged his guitar into the amp and just started free-styling over it. It added so much mystery to the song. I really do have the best time with him always.
We’re treated to dreamy, acoustic led sonics on good morning. What prompted and led you to this exploration of sound?
I figured out the melody for the song playing acoustic guitar, so it felt necessary.
What’s one line from good morning you find at times could be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
"The devil whispered in my ear, and I have chosen."
good morning is accompanied by an official visual, in which you took on the role as director. There are influences that nod to Man Ray, which was lovely to see. Can you walk us through your conceptual process for the clip and the inspiration behind the visuals?
The goal was to be simple but eye-catching, so the most time-consuming part was the editing. I wanted it to look surreal as I think the song itself feels kind of dream-like. Black and white was an absolute must because I've always thought that it holds more emotion. It took all of an hour to shoot and much, much longer to edit.
What’s your favourite shot from the music video and why?
Definitely when the song starts. We used all-natural light for the video, and while editing, I loved how it looked with black and white and loads of contrast. It really sets the tone for the song.
If good morning was a piece of pre-existing visual art (painting, sculpture, photograph etc), which artwork would it be and why?
Man Rays, glass tears because you can choose the emotion behind it, and of course, it feels/looks surreal.
What do you have in store for the rest of 2021? Will we be hearing an EP or album on the horizon?
Trying new things, Writing as always, and being as creative as possible. But keep in touch, and you'll find out ;)
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Stevie Nicks, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Bill Withers, My mum… I could go on for days.
Dream collaboration?
Oof, I have quite a few, but I’ve been loving Kacey Musgraves right now.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Any Frank Sinatra album.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Dreamy, expressive, personal.
Best song of 2021 so far?
It came out in 2020, but it's on her 2021 album, My Future by Billie Eilish.
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Almost Famous
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Miley forever and always.
What was the first song you loved to sing?
Ticket to Ride by The Beatles
A song you would love to cover on tour?
Cheek to Cheek!
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Kings of Leon, Only by the Night.
First concert you went to?
Alice Cooper and Marlyn Manson…. Yes, I was 8.
Best concert you have been to?
Seeing any of my siblings perform.
First album you ever bought?
Autoamerican, Blondie
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy?
Spice girl 100%
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
Moody Spice
Most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
…Never performed one!
Guilty music pleasure?
I don’t feel the guilt!
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Stevie Nicks.
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
The Beatles.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Don’t forget how far you’ve come from where you were.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
When doing it was the only peace I had felt within myself for a long time.