Q&A: BECCA CAFFYN
Indie folk singer-songwriter Becca Caffyn releases her debut single ‘Stair Kids’ which we fell in love with at first listen! The first record from her EP set for release later this year, she crafts honest lyrics and gentle melodies, drawing us in with her introspective bedroom folk with dreamy indie-pop sensibilities.
HEY BECCA! THANKS SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER SOME OF OUR QUESTIONS! HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN SINGING & MAKING MUSIC?
Hey, thanks for having me! I always liked singing as a kid, as well as making up stories. If I’m honest, I think I first started writing songs because I wanted to be like Taylor Swift. In my early teens, I started performing wherever I could - country music clubs, school, church, and then later on bars and open mics. When I was about 15, I discovered folk music and got more serious about writing my own stuff; that’s when it really became about making music as opposed to just singing. Music was always something I liked and planned on doing, and that only became more apparent the older and more involved I got.
WE ARE LOVING YOUR ABSOLUTELY STUNNING NEW SONG 'STAIR KIDS'! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE SONG AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
Thank you! 'Stair Kids' was written the year after I left school, reflecting on how me and my friends changed when we were all given the freedom to make our own choices. It’s a huge shift to suddenly be in charge of all your decisions, and understandably people go in different directions. 'Stair Kids' is about accepting the way times and people change, appreciating things for what they were, and being okay with growing out of the spaces you used to love fitting into.
WHAT WAS THE WRITING & PRODUCTION WRITING PROCESS LIKE FOR 'STAIR KIDS'?
'Stair Kids' was written with Joshua Chatfield and Sophie Bialostocki (Lévyne), on the last day of Parachute Music’s 2021 Song Week. We chatted about high school and listened to references we all liked, and the song came pretty naturally out of the conversation in the room that afternoon. Sophie produced the original demo on the day, and I finished the song a couple months later with Will McGillivray (BEXY, There’s A Tuesday).
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON 'STAIR KIDS'?
I travelled down to Christchurch to record 'Stair Kids', so it really felt like an event. I got to meet Will and spend a week recording some songs in his lovely studio, right by the beach. It was nice to be able to spend time away from normal life working on a little collection of songs, and I felt like Will and I were on the same page with what sounds we liked and where we wanted to go with the song. We weren’t in any rush and there was no pressure to do things a certain way, so we could just spend the time trying things out and getting the songs right. It was my first time recording a song that was more than just a demo, so I’m really grateful to everyone involved for making it a happy experience.
MORE MUSIC ON THE WAY SOON?
Yes! I have a few more releases planned for this year so definitely stay tuned :)
WHO WOULD YOU SAY ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?
There are so many artists who never fail to inspire me, and I’m especially motivated by great lyricists. Right now I’m loving Holly Humberstone and Lizzy McAlpine, and of course Maggie Rogers and Phoebe Bridgers, who are always staples in my playlists.
YES, THEY’RE INCREDIBLE! WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE?
There are so many kiwi artists that I love! BEXY, Goodwill, Benjamin Mack, Holly Arrowsmith, and Marianne Wren are some of my very favourites. Lately I’ve been jamming 'To: Amy' by There’s A Tuesday and 'Back Again' by Ira Schryvers a lot.
AMAZING! WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS THAT YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
Growing up in Hamilton I always loved missions out to Raglan, with my family as a kid and then my friends once we got our licences. I loved Waiheke Island when I went with my best friend, such good food and lovely views. My guilty pleasure is falling asleep on the beach, so I’m really spoilt for choice down here. I love bakery culture too, that’s one thing we do so right in New Zealand. Nothing better than stopping at a bakery on a roadie for a pie and some lolly cake.
YUM! WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT AS AN ARTIST, AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ARTISTS OUT THERE?
Good things take time, and that’s okay! It’s definitely something I’m still coming to terms with, but you have more time than you think. There’s so much to learn and do which is so exciting but can be so overwhelming, so just take your time learning about each step of the process and try to enjoy where you’re at while you get to where you’re going. I’ve found things often turn out much better than they ever would’ve if they’d gone the way I planned them to.
LASTLY, WE END ALL OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THIS QUESTION - IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’d say be nice to your mum, and to the people who love you. Give them a call and ask how they’re doing. It’s never uncool to let people know you care about them.
THANKS SO MUCH BECCA! MAKE SURE YOU KEEP UP WITH HER ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, SPOTIFY OR APPLE MUSIC.
