What makes Remi Wolf such an inspiring and original recording artist is her unapologetic authenticity. And in case you’re just hearing Remi Wolf’s name for the first time, watch the surreal and wonderfully absurdist music videos she created in collaboration with artist and director Agusta Yr to see what we mean. (Psst… start with “Woo!”)
After graduating from the University of Southern California's music school in 2018, her debut EP “You're a Dog!,” which Wolf aptly described as a work of “magical surrealism,” put her on everyone’s radar. Having toured with the likes of artists Still Woozy and Cautious Clay, Wolf is recognized as an emerging indie artist that everyone should keep their ears on.
Scroll on to learn more about this must-watch singer-songwriter and why she believes that cultivating authenticity means doing some deep reflection.
You recently released your second EP, “I’m Allergic to Dogs!,” (congratulations!), but you started writing songs in college when you attended USC's Thornton School of Music. Can you take us back to that time? What are some of your fondest memories of those early years of finding your unique voice and style?
When I went to USC, I lived in a house with 10 other music and music industry students. I learned so much from just being around my friends. We would stay up really late at night either jamming or talking about music or listening to music or making some sort of art. It was a really creative and social time for me. I started developing my own writing style in that house and found that my favorite way to create is improvising with others and myself. No filter. I learned to trust my subconscious.
Your fan base is growing around the world, which means you're in the public eye more than ever before. How have you handled that, and what have been some of the biggest lessons you've learned as a result?
It’s a crazy time to have a growing fan base because I have no ability to meet them in person, which I think would make the whole thing a lot more real and palpable. Sometimes I feel like I’m in a strange dream. Regardless, I am so grateful to my fans and have learned to appreciate and respect them more and more each day. I want to feed them and really show them an honest and accurate depiction of my life and what I am going through. I am so driven by it. It truly makes me want to make the best and most real art I can and be the best and most authentic version of myself.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
Well, I got sober. It’s a really hard journey, but it’s something I’ve been wrestling with for a while. The isolation of quarantine really got me thinking about my habits and my little box I put myself in all the time. I want my world to be big. And for me, I had to make the decision to drastically change my lifestyle in order to make steps towards that goal.
During this time in quarantine, you’ve been collaborating with artist and director Agusta Yr from afar to create surreal and wonderfully absurdist music videos to match your equally vivid and humorous lyrics. Can you talk us through the creative process behind these videos? Where do you turn for inspiration and what do you hope viewers take away?
Our creative process was pretty seamless given the circumstances. Agusta and I would talk about concepts over Facetime and would come up with a plan for her to execute the 3D processing on her end, and for me, to set up a green screen and film footage on my end. We have similar taste, so getting our heads aligned with imagery was really easy, and we were never afraid to push the boundaries of what could be in a video. For this project, I turned to inspiration from kid shows and movies I used to watch when I was little like “Doodlebops,” “Spy Kids,” “Willie Wonka,” and “Sillyville,” as well as some classic Prince music videos I watch all the time. I want the viewers to feel like they can escape reality through my videos and be completely transported to a fucked up fantasy world. Also, I want people to feel free after watching them. Like you can do whatever you want.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I think I have had a natural sense of assurance and independence ever since I was little. Even as young as three years old, I would be violently bossing around my little brother trying to put on a talent show in my backyard. But to this day, my confidence still fluctuates by the hour. Sometimes, it’s the most natural thing and I don’t even understand what it’s like to have any self-doubt, and then, an hour later, I’m on the floor crying. It’s pretty unpredictable. But I’m learning to keep it more steady. Therapy helps. Sobriety helps. It’s really a thing I think everyone needs to actively work on. We all have it in us. We are all incredible at something, and we all have things we need to work on. I think the key is to always strive to be the most authentic version of yourself. The world and the media are constantly trying to put everyone in little boxes and it’s easy to fall for the trap. YOU ARE FLUID. Everything is fluid. You can be a different person than you were an hour ago and that’s okay. Trust yourself, trust your gut. It’s always right.
When you separate yourself from your job title and the bells and whistles of your business or career, who are you and what do you like to do?
Hmm. I don’t really know what the bells and whistles are. I am an artist pretty through and through. I’m a musician, and I love it; I love my job. Even when I am not sitting down and am like “this is work time,” I just love singing and performing and making people happy—even if it’s just me and one other person in a room. That’s actually my favorite thing because it’s so connecting. I’ve been making art my whole life, so it’s a pretty essential part of myself. But I also love to cook. I’m a dog mom, which is fun and stressful. I’m a sister, and I love my siblings. I like ice cream, and butter, and salad, and bread, and sushi. All food. I like normal shit, to be honest.
How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
Don’t let other people’s words or vibes diminish who you are. No one wants you to be anyone but yourself. Unless they are a dick. So try to get rid of the dicks (sometimes it’s hard cause they can be leechy). But you are a strong confident queen. And that’s the truth shit. Literally, fuck them, I’m serious. Not worth your time.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
I try to think of it as maybe that opportunity or whatever thing it is wasn’t meant for me. I really try to tell myself this when I’m having car trouble. Like, for some reason, the universe didn’t think it was a good idea for me to be on the road at that time So, it made my battery die, and now, I have to call AAA. And that’s chill. Like, I’m down for that. And you just gotta keep pushing and move through it. and everything will be ok.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
Well, I know in the end, I want to make people happy, and dance, and connect with themselves and other people in their lives via my music. I want to help create memories for people. Honestly, I have trouble with the full workload sometimes. I get overwhelmed. The littlest tasks are the ones that trip me up honestly. Working on music is generally a chill vibe, but it’s the chores, like going to the bank or choosing what to eat, that I hate. I really have found the power in relying on my support system. My friends and family and team. I have to be honest with myself and know when I need to ask for help. THIS IS HARD. I hate asking for help. I am stubborn and want to do everything myself.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
Brace yourself, bitch. But it’s chill; you’re fine. Live alone.
Fill in the blanks:
When I feel fear, I…
Sit in it until I talk to someone about it to figure out where it is coming from and then vibe through it somehow.
The three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
My ambition, creativity, and willingness to try new things.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
More women in powerful positions and more mental health support for artists.
My perfect day begins with…
A mint yerba mate.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
Doing the work.
