Courtesy of Columbia Records
When Lennon Stella answers my call, her voice is soft and sweet, but from the moment she starts answering my questions, it becomes immediately clear that this talented musician isn’t afraid to push past her comfort zone and enter unchartered territory either.
In fact, what scares her is what drives her. The talented singer-songwriter releases her debut album today—Three. Two. One.—and despite her tour being canceled (thanks to COVID-19), Stella is feeling very optimistic, and despite initial concerns, her fans have rallied around her in support.
If the success of her new song (and accompanying video), Fear of Being Alone is any indication, this album is going to be huge. Read on for our interview with Stella as she opens up to Create & Cultivate about the new album, canceling the tour, a behind-the-scenes look into the filming of Fear of Being Alone, and what she’ll be singing for her exclusive live performance at our Money Moves Digital Summit on May 2, 2020.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: So first off, major congrats on the new album—Three. Two. One. How do you feel?
LENNON STELLA: Putting an album out is like getting to know somebody entirely—you get to know them through the album, as an artist, and as a person. I just wanted it to be telling different stories (in this album) than I had before.
Your U.S. tour was supposed to kick off in May and has been postponed due to the pandemic. What was your initial reaction to the news and what do you have planned for the launch instead?
It was really unfortunate and upsetting, but at the same time, I’m trying to trust in the universe. And honestly, I’m just glad that the music and the album itself can come out.
I was so happy with how the response has been. I think everybody was so scared there would be a big backlash but somehow everyone has been so understanding and completely reassuring that they will be there no matter what month the tour is. It’s really sweet and makes me feel grateful to have such a supportive tribe. It’s really rare to feel no hate and no negativity.
The silver lining in all of this is how much it has forced us to be creative. Your Fear of Being Alone video is a perfect example. Shot in your living room during quarantine with your mom and boyfriend, and friend CeCe who dropped off all the lights. Can you talk us through this video? How did you come up with the concept, what it was like to shoot, and what were some of the biggest challenges?
“My friend, CeCe really understands me and the way I like things. So she came over, and then me, my mom, and my boyfriend were kind of just winging it and getting experimental and creative. We loved the idea of it being at night with the lights on the outside, so there was a shadow from the lights. It all came together as we were doing it—just having fun. We moved everything out of my living room and filmed it all in there.
Honestly, it’s my favorite video that I’ve done so far. It was so fulfilling. When I was thrown in the space to make a video all in one night at home and that we were able to do that was so exciting. I felt so much more love than I’ve ever received from a video. I think it’s because of how it was done. It’s obvious that there weren’t any other people pushing me—it’s very much just me. I think that’s why people were able to connect with it.
“Find the things that intimidate you, and know that’s where you should shoot towards because it scares you for a reason.”
Does this style of self-made video inspire you for the future? Do you think we will see more of creativity in the music space as a result of quarantine?
I want to see now, and moving forward, what happens when I try to brainstorm on my own before I go to other people for their ideas and push myself a lot more creatively. I want to trust myself a lot more and trust my vision.
One thing that has been nice is seeing you film more acoustic videos on YouTube from home. This feels very authentic to where you began. What more can we expect to see from you during quarantine? Has it inspired you to write new songs?
I forgot how great it feels to play guitar and play the piano, and be alone with it for a bit. I don’t give myself that time or carve that out anymore. Being at home has been so nice, I’m doing acoustic versions for all my songs. What people respond to the most is when it’s really just me and the piano or me and the guitar and me not overthinking it. It’s been really nice to have time to do that and just be creative.
In an interview with you for our CC100, you mentioned that your writing process typically involves a session with you and a producer and another writer where you just write about how you’re feeling at that time. Are you still doing that via zoom now? How has quarantine changed your process or enhanced it?
I haven’t been writing because I’ve been busy putting the album out and doing all of the promo that goes along with that. I’m sure that as soon as the album is out in the world though I will immediately go back to writing.
This album proves you have really grown as an artist—you are so expressive in your vocals and the lyrics. How have you cultivated that confidence to be yourself and not be tied down by limitations?
I think it’s so important to pay attention to what scares you and what you’re afraid of and to go for that. Find the things that intimidate you, and know that’s where you should shoot towards because it scares you for a reason. I think it’s about finding something that really rings true to you, that’s deep inside you—you have to trust that and follow that.
This is a particularly hard time for musicians who can’t connect 1:1 with their fans and their music. What advice do you have for your fellow musicians who are going through it right now and how can we, as fans, support them?
It’s been really cool to see the way that we’re all connecting through social media. Because that’s what it’s originally all about. I think we’ve lost our way as far as Instagram goes and getting sucked into the toxic side of it. But ultimately it’s a way to connect and this time has really shown that.
To learn more or to purchase the new album (and exclusive merch!), visit LennonStella.com.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets to the Money Moves Digital Summit to see Lennon Stella perform three acoustic versions of her songs from the new album Three. Two. One.
Visit, createcultivate.com/money-moves-2020
Three. Two. One. Album By Lennon Stella
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