Q&A: PYNKIE '#37'

MusicQ&A

Oct 19

☆ By MOLLY SHARPLES ☆

ENCOMPASSING SENTIMENTS OF DREAMLIKE NOSTALGIA - PYNKIE’s latest album, #37 is illustrative of the innovative, honest and ever-changing visions that she has for her music. PYNKIE’s song writing draws from the most diverse and intimate of places; whilst “Vacation” alludes to the liberation of self-discovery and solitude, #37 as an album offers a distinct narrative of simplicity and escapism, inspired by similar nuances of sentimentality, as shown in PYNKIE’s latest releases, “Love Theme” and, of course, “Vacation”.

Speaking of her creative process as an artist, PYNKIE continues to adapt and evolve, showing us that whilst she is constantly growing, her longing and passion to create as an artist means that, in this sense, her artistry will always be much more than simply a career. Read below to learn more about PYNKIE’s journey as a songwriter, and the inspiration behind her latest album, #37.

LUNA: Congrats on your new track “Vacation”! The song is incredibly nostalgic, was there any particular inspiration behind this?

PYNKIE: Thank uuu! And hmm, I don’t usually consciously think of any specific artists for inspiration when writing songs. But I do LOVE Liz Phair and feel like there might be some subconscious inspiration from her in there?? Haha

LUNA: How has quarantine impacted your creative process if at all?

PYNKIE: Thankfully, I started a new relationship (actually with someone I’ve been playing my music with for a lil while before that) and was able to quarantine with him! :) So we made songs together, which will be part of a separate collab EP aside from the upcoming PYNKIE album! I also just feel like I had more downtime to record demos and come up with ideas in general because I’m usually a social butterfly! Haha which isn’t really a good thing for creativity...

LUNA: Can you share a favorite moment from the creation of your upcoming album #37?

PYNKIE: Making the album took a while because I started things over a lot loll...I tried recording with a few different people in a few different recording situations~ nothin crazy, just like friends in their little spaces. But then I finally started recording with my friend, Chris Uehlein, at his studio in Rockaway Beach, NY which recently closed :( RIP! And I just loved recording there. We laughed so muuuch and had lots of fun and would take breaks to watch videos of cute animals & sonic the hedgehog Haha ..we’d also both see the number 37 all the time throughout the making of the album.

LUNA: Are there any common themes or narratives explored in this project?

PYNKIE: Like my first album, I honestly did not have a theme in mind ahead of time or anything! It’s just kinda like a compilation of (some of the) songs I’ve made since the last album haha ~ But as I’ve listened back to the album and stuff, it kind of takes you through the mind of someone in relationship alll the way from the humble beginnings to the toxic ending lol and all the red flags in between... then Vacation is about the liberating relief of being done with it! (And Sunday Drivin’ is just a random song about driving cuz one of my fav things to do is to aimlessly and listening to music loll).

LUNA: I love the dreamy aesthetic of your songs and the visuals that accompany them. What influences you to create this style within your music?

PYNKIE: Thank u! Hmm, I can’t really pinpoint it! I just get in these certain moods some days that lead to this overwhelming urge to record a demo reflecting that mood. It’s seemingly random haha but it’s definitely also inspired by the wiiiide variety of music I listen to:) I always like to discover new things! I also have worked with the local awesommme director, Kelli McGuire, on a chunk of my music videos! So I can’t take all the credit there hahaa ~ the only videos I’ve come up with the concepts for are Funny Boy & Vacation :)

LUNA What’s been inspiring you these days?

PYNKIE: I‘ve been having lots of weird dreams that are probably subconsciously inspiring me, but also all the craziness happening in the world has just been putting me in a weird interesting mood ~ and my new relationship<3 + The collab ep we were cookin up was inspired by that strange beautiful island Jodie Foster travels to through a wormhole in the movie Contact!

LUNA: Working as a nurse alongside producing music must be a pretty demanding job! How do you find a balance between the two?

PYNKIE: Well thankfully, as a nurse, I only have to work 2-3 days a week since I do 12hr shifts and I’m part-time! So that leaves lotsss of time for other stuff. But I def don’t spend enough time making music... I have social butterfly syndrome (lol) so I spend a good chunk of my free time with friends going out/doing stuff... I gotta spend more time by my damn self!

LUNA: What inspired you to get into songwriting as a career rather than just a hobby?

PYNKIE: I actually started making songs when I was a freshman in college but it was just a joke at first haha I would make silly stuff like about cup noodles and the rubber ducks on my shower curtains ...but then I started to take it a lil further since I just had so much fun recording and was doing it more n more! Now it’s years later and I still don’t consider it a “career” because that just creeps me out hahha..I don’t wanna associate it with work! I just wanna keep it fun:)

LUNA: How do you think your music has evolved since you first started?

PYNKIE: When I firrrst started, I only let myself make silly songs cuz I just could not take myself seriously, especially when it came to writing lyrics haha ..I stilll feel like that’s the hardest part for me! But all the practice doing it over the years def helped! I’ve become more comfortable and just like to sing whatever comes to mind like a stream of consciousness over n over again until I come up with something hahaa ..takes a WHILE sometimes.

LUNA: What do you hope the rest of 2020 brings you?

PYNKIE: 2020 is comin to an end soon thankfully! Hahah jk but it’s been a crazy year obviously... I just hope my album coming out 10/16 distracts people from all the craziness while they’re listening and makes them feel warm n cozy inside!

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“It’s an album where you can bop, you can groove, you can move, it’s definitely something you could listen to in the car. Or an album that you play when you’re taking a shower or making love. I very much want it to be a lifestyle project. But really there’s only so much an artist can do, it’s up to the listener how they interpret it, or where they take it. All I can do is just create it.” - Duckwrth on ‘Supergood’ ⚡️ ⭐️ A blend of soulful seventies with his signature rap flow, ‘Supergood’ takes Duckwrth’s sound to the next level. Read the feature with Duckwrth on our site now - link in bio 💥💥💥

Kari Faux by @quillemons for our 13th Issue ✨ Thank you for all of the love for this issue we’re so happy to finally share with y’all! 🗣 Make sure you order your print copy asap as the first batch has already sold out - link in bio!

Issue 13 is OUT ⭐️ Our best issue yet featuring cover star Kari Faux + Alfie Templeman, MICHELLE, Spencer., Samone Zena + photos by Donée Buetessa, Zachary Francois, Logan Delaney, Darrell Jackson, Athena Merry, Andrea Riba, Jonathan Roensch & our audience ✨ 💌 20% of proceeds from print copy orders placed this week will be split between The Loveland Foundation & the Black Image Center Fundraiser. Link to the digital copy & to order a print copy in our bio - have fun checking this one out it’s fire xx