LESS KILLJOY
I’m super proud of LESS KILLJOY. I’ve been following her for a long time and watching her evolved throughout the years has been so beautiful to watch. LESS KILLJOY’s debut single is 100% honest and that’s what I like the most about this song, as well as the authenticity of the record. “Palm Trees” is edgy, cool and different. LESS KILLJOY definitely knows who she is artistically and musically and I’m here for that.
Congrats LESS KILLJOY on this debut single and on this new chapter !!
”Palm Trees” is now available worldwide !
Photo credit: Alanka Krajewski
Hi, how are you? How does it feel like to release your first music as LESS KILLJOY?
Hi! I’m good - I think? (laughs)… It’s been a wild 3 years. To be honest, It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. I feel liberated, excited, happy and terrified, all at the same time. I think that's a good thing though, usually when I feel this way about anything, it means I’m on the right path.
What's the story/inspiration behind "Palm Trees"?
OOf okay, here goes..It’s a couple things. I’m an only child, and an introvert, but as a kid, I was pretty confident and energetic. I wasn’t really afraid of anything…until I became a teenager. I ended up getting bullied a lot for who I was, I was always different and quirky. Up to that point I loved that about myself.
I’ll never forget it, I was 14 and I was getting bullied by this girl at school everyday. I went from being friends with everyone in my grade, to having none. As a result of her turning them against me, telling them I'm too weird. Everyday was a personal hell for me at that school. Anyway, something in me broke. After that, I was different, reserved, quiet…scared. That rejection of self- identity shook me to my core and told my 14 year old brain that the person I am was not deserving of friends or love or happiness and that I can’t trust people. After that day I went inward and ended up being a person that went through a lot of life experiences alone (in my head). I’d isolate myself. I assumed everyone would do to me what she did. Wow, while I’m writing this it kind of pisses me off that this one person held so much power over me for so long, but I was a kid! I am still dealing with the after effects of this trauma by the way! Working at it everyday. Trying to heal!
The song ends up flipping to when I meet someone who loves me so unconditionally that I essentially come out of my shell, start to feel safe being myself around them and because of that I want to give them everything, I want them to be happy above all else. “If you’re happy, I’m happier”.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it?
For this song in particular I was sitting in the studio playing the same three chords over and over and what kept coming out of me was that line “if you’re happy, I’m happier”. Ben (my co writer- producer) and I thought it sounded unique and cool so we based the whole song off of that one line. We started talking about what that means to me and it opened a whole world up in my head. Something unlocked. It was basically like a therapy session (laughs).
We loved the idea of turning my self-deprecating and isolating habits into a love song. It all happened so naturally. The fact that I haven’t really changed, and the fact that I’m kind of a loner, but if I have to be alone, I want to be alone with my favorite person in the world, on our own little island, escaping reality together.
What did you feel when writing this song?
Happy, Sad, and empowered… all at the same time.
What's your favorite thing about this single?
My honesty. Oh, and when the beat drops and I say “Bitch I never change” I feel so powerful every time I sing that line. It’s like “ya, I am who I am, take it or leave it”.
What made you want to release "Palm Trees" as your first single?
I felt like it was a great way to introduce me as a person and an artist. It tells a little bit about me, well a lot about me if you really listen, but there is still a little bit of mystery and some things left to be discovered.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I made it myself- I made all the artwork of the upcoming EP myself actually. I put a photo of myself as a child right there on the front to tell the world that that kid is coming back, better and more confident than ever. She’s healing the wounds that hurt her so she can return to herself again. The upside down island that I'm sitting on, is the island I’ve been on most of my life, alone, the one I've used to cope with. To escape reality, and as a result, had me feeling unbalanced and not upright, but that’s changing.
What can you tell us about your upcoming EP?
It’s my favorite music I’ve ever written, so far. I’m a fan of my own music! That’s so exciting for me to say, because I haven't always been in this place. I cannot wait for this EP to be out in the world and to play the songs live. It’s going to be a sassy party with some tears involved. I open up a lot about who I am and where I've been on each track.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
This is probably the most difficult question i’ve ever heard (laughs). I think the reason being an artist is so hard is because it's also so rewarding (at least for me). I spend every second trying to just create from an authentic place, to be as honest and vulnerable as I can, in the hopes that my emotions and my words will be understood by whoever hears it! But then I find myself chasing that feeling sometimes. That connection, that acceptance, when you create something for yourself and then give it to the world and it’s well received, it’s the best feeling ever. The flip side of that is you pour your heart and soul into a song and nobody cares. That's the hardest part for me, for sure.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I don’t know. I don’t really have an answer for that! I feel like the industry is always changing. It’s so confusing to me to be completely honest. I guess I’d love it if the industry as a whole was less chaotic and a little more organized haha and easy to understand but that's also what makes it exhilarating? I think i’ll have to dive deeper into this thought process in therapy…thriving in chaos?? Cool (laughs).
What biggest lessons have you learnt since the beginning of your career?
Stand your ground, no matter what. If you believe in what you’re doing, don’t ever let anyone convince you otherwise.
What message do you want to give to anyone struggling with their mental health?
You’re not alone- and I know this is a cliche to say now but it’s true. None of us are alone in our feelings. I’ve been to the depths of hell with my mental health, I’ve been on the floor more times than I can count, and the ONLY thing that gets me up every-time, is the thought of someone else going through what I'm going through. The idea that we can band together and openly share our experiences and help each-other through it. We need each other, and as much as the pain is the worst, it’s helped me become a more compassionate and empathetic human.
Find someone you love and trust to talk with- someone who doesn’t judge you for who you are and how you feel. Therapy really helps me - but I understand that no one can tell you when to take that leap, it’s a very personal and vulnerable thing to explore. Unfortunately it's also not accessible to everyone, I really believe it should be.
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