CRYSTAL on her sophomore EP ‘Dead Ends’
Pōneke native and upcoming alternative pop artist and producer CRYSTAL has dropped her latest project ‘Dead Ends’ - an authentic, honest reflection of her life over the past few years whilst learning to navigate and try get ahead in an uneasy world.
Hey CRYSTAL, thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us! First of all, a huge congratulations on your latest EP "Dead Ends"! How do you think your sound has evolved since your last project in 2022, the "Garlic Ice Cream" EP?
Thanks so much! I'm super stoked to finally have it out. When I made 'Garlic Ice Cream', it was purely a project I made for myself. With 'Dead Ends', it headed in more of a commercial pop direction. I've always been obsessed with pop music so creating a body of work which sounded bigger and felt more expressive was something I really wanted to showcase. 'Dead Ends' solidified a shift in me taking music more seriously and putting my best foot forward to try make a career out of it.
What are the main themes you delve into in this EP?
Growing up, adult responsibilities, change, expectation, pressure. The EP was written during a turbulent time of self-growth and change. I lived with my parents up until I was 22, and then I moved cities and started flatting. Moving to Auckland forced me to adapt, to grow, to connect and understand myself in a way I’d never been exposed to before.
During this period, there were so many highs and lows, and writing was my escape. From lockdown to abruptly having to move flats, and working in hospo without a plan B; I accidentally made a concept EP about my insecurities, and the thoughts which were consuming me. I’m deeply fearful about not living up to the expectations myself, and society have put on me to achieve my dreams, and I’m definitely not alone in saying that.
The cool thing about writing ‘Dead Ends’ was that I was able to gain a deeper understanding of myself, and what I felt was important to be said. Slowly over time, I started to accept where I was in life, having not met the goals I’d set for myself. I realised that all the moments in between getting to where I wanted to be and where I currently was, were still my life, and if I wasn’t going to embrace that, I was never going to find happiness which was an important turning point in finishing the EP and being more content with myself.
What were your artistic influences for this project?
King Krule and Lily Allen. They have such a talent in capturing the most mundane situations, and making them interesting and relatable which I really appreciate that as a songwriter and music consumer. Sonically, it's always changing and evolving. For the last couple of years, I've also been really inspired by Maude Latour.
'Expectations Suck!' is of course one of our favourites and totally relatable! Can you tell us about the concept of this track?
That one will always be super special! That was the first song I made after I moved up from Wellington to pursue music in Auckland at the start of 2021. I had finished studying my music degree so figured I'd try get a music job on the side, while pursuing my own music. But when I got to Auckland reality hit that actually, there weren't many music jobs. I kept reaching dead ends with job interviews and not having enough experience. So, I stayed working in hospo as a barista. For a long time, I felt like such a failure - like I was getting nowhere and it sucked. I met Joel Jones - my good friend and producer over Instagram a few months after moving and 'Expectations Suck!' came together in the first session. I needed to write it to get through a hard time of change and insecurity. It's been really special seeing how much it has resonated with people and I'll always be proud of that.
Plus we love the garage infused pop production of 'Pressure'! What was the inspiration behind this track and the writing/production process?
Thank you! It's definitely one of my fav's too. After I'd written most of the songs on the EP, I could see that they were all linked in a way. I was sitting on the idea of being a 'Dead End' for a while and knew I had to explore it on the EP. I was lucky enough to go to Sydney with my Mum and work with Oscar Sharah - a producer I'd admired for a couple years. 'Pressure' started with the little guitar idea that Oscar plays at the start, and then throughout the day we built on it and then finished it. Then, a couple months later I recorded some extra harmonies and added a couple lil sounds and the sound was done. It was such a natural and easy process with the making of 'Pressure'.
What were your top highlights working on this EP?
It was super fun to make the songs, but then to create a whole visual identity and world for them to belong in, that was super rewarding. I finally feel like with my music project I'm accessing so many different parts of myself creatively and it's been a really full-filling experience for me.
That’s so amazing! And you've recently had the opportunity to perform a lot of live shows including opening for YAHYAH, WHO SHOT SCOTT and perform your own headline show! What's your favourite part about playing live?
I know! Ah everything has been happening so fast. I'm super grateful for the opportunities I've had in the last few months. Some of the songs in my set are over 5 years old so it's been really fulfilling breathing new life back into them and being able to reconnect with my art and my younger self. When people come up to me after a show to let me know they really enjoyed it, that's always super rewarding to me.
What's the biggest piece of advice you have for other kiwi artists out there?
I've learnt that if you want something so badly, you need to go out and get it yourself and make it happen. Send those emails, get your music in front of blog writers and radio presenters, DM for those collabs, set up those networking coffee dates, save up for that dream music video you didn't get funding for. We are capable of so much on our own. I think it's super important to put yourself out there .. you never know what opportunities might be hiding around the corner.
What's next for you for the rest of the year and beyond?
I'm taking some time to get back into writing, and producing new music. I want to take my time with the next project and create something super authentic and unique. I also have a few releases early next year which I'm prepping for. I can't wait to show you :)
Thanks so much CRYSTAL! Make sure to keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.
