Q&A: Piper Connolly on Breaking Boundaries in her New Single “Kiss like Me”
“KISS LIKE ME” IS A FIERCE AND UNAPOLOGETIC OFFERING FROM PIPER CONNOLLY THAT EMPHASIZES HER STAR STATUS – The song is fiery and packs a punch sonically while delving into themes of heartbreak, revenge and jealousy.
Connolly describes the song as a “cheeky and petty rebuttal to a past crush.” This may come across as juvenile, but that is where the power in the song lies. There is a rawness in the approach that comes from Connolly’s perspective. She is quickly gaining recognition as a bold voice with something new to say.
Few artists stand out like Connolly. Hailing from the sun-soaked deserts of Phoenix, Arizona, Connolly blends introspective lyricism with sonic exploration. Inspired by stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Billy Idol, early rock n’ roll, jazz, 90s grunge, and ska, with a steady undercurrent of R&B and soul, she has curated a sound that fuses elements of pop-punk, alt-rock and indie pop.
Beyond making music in the studio, Connolly commands attention with her fierce performances. In addition to being a promising singer-songwriter, she is a passionate advocate for individuality and self-expression, something that she models exceptionally in her musicality and artistry. Whether on stage or in the studio, Connolly’s magnetic presence and boundary-pushing creativity make her an artist to watch in the alt-pop scene.
Luna sat down with Connolly to discuss her cheeky rebuttal, “kiss like me,” her influences, and the solace she finds in creating music.
Photography Credit: Jim Louvau
LUNA: Your single, "kiss like me," is described as “a cheeky rebuttal to a past crush.” Can you elaborate on the story behind the song and how you drew inspiration from Billy Idol and Olivia Rodrigo?
CONNOLLY: “Kiss like me” is a very tongue-in-cheek; “the grass is greener on THIS side” song about a romantic rival. I’m basically telling the object of my affection, “yeah, he might be great and have all these wonderful attributes, but he doesn’t kiss like me.” Genre-wise, it’s the poppiest song I’ve released so far (hint, hint!) – so that was a nice departure from the more rock-bent music. I grew up listening to all sorts of music and have always loved Billy Idol. The pop girl summer we’ve been enjoying harkens to that fun, 80s-Madonna-Into-The-Groove moment, and I wanted just a touch of that in “kiss like me.” I feel like the nostalgia and the nod to work nicely together.
LUNA: Your music seamlessly blends elements of rock, pop and alternative genres. How do you balance nostalgic influences with modern sensibilities, and what motivates you to experiment with different sounds?
CONNOLLY: Honestly, I want my music to sound like no one and everyone, feeling both familiar and new at the same time. So, with that goal, I like to blend old and new…whether it be 80s synth sounds, drum tones, or guitar solos that flirt with a different time or genre. I want to be the musical equivalent of what Back to the Future was to cinema. As far as how far I lean into the old or mix in the new, that depends on the track and what we are trying to evoke.
LUNA: As a vocal advocate for authenticity and self-expression, how do you aim to empower your audience through your music and activism? What message do you hope listeners take away from your songs?
CONNOLLY: It sounds simple, but it’s actually really hard in today’s world, but I want people to just be themselves. It’s okay to express yourself differently from day to day, dress differently, dig all manner of music. Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking you have to be this one thing forever, for the rest of time. I hope my current and future catalog shows that I am walking the talk; no two songs sound the same, just like no two people are the same. How boring that would be.
LUNA: You've mentioned finding solace in songwriting from a young age. Can you discuss how writing music helps you process emotions and navigate life's complexities?
CONNOLLY: Music is universal when it comes to healing. For me, having people listen to and respond to my music has been really moving. You know, when you write something, in the beginning, it’s just for you. Whether it be for healing, cleansing, whatever…. but when you release it to the world, it becomes something special for each person who listens to it and vibes with it. There is power and peace in that.
LUNA: Your live performances are described as dynamic and infectious. What drives your passion for performing, and how do you connect with your audience on stage?
CONNOLLY: My favorite thing in the entire world is performing live. To have people sing along with you and dance and jump around is just amazing. It is as if the crowd’s energy charges me, and I love it so much. My first taste of that was at five years old, my first performance in front of about 150 people belting out Ziggy Stardust… I was totally, completely hooked. Stylistically, I enjoy performing like the entertainers I enjoy watching. I have always looked up to Freddie Mercury and, more contemporarily, Luke Spiller (of The Struts) – they are both super engaging performers, drawing you into the performance and teasing out the audience participation. I emulate a lot of that in my live performances.
LUNA: As a rising alt-pop artist, how do you see yourself contributing to the genre's evolution? What boundaries do you hope to push, and what innovations can fans expect from your future releases?
CONNOLLY:I think I ultimately just want to span almost every genre! Rock, Pop, R&B; I want to take my voice and my music in every direction that I can. I want to be an artist that can’t be defined by any one genre, from whom everyone can find a song they like. I am so excited about the genre-blending that is happening in the industry today and I’d like to enjoy that my entire career. If you haven’t, take a look at what Veronica Swift is doing with jazz and the “transgenre” movement – it’s pure magic. That is exactly what I hope to do with rock and pop and throwback music. Who knows? There might even be a standard or two in there too.
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