The rising star talks upcoming project TEETH OUT and her love for Y2K fashion.
If there is one artist we should be keeping a close eye on in coming months, it’s pop pioneer FAANGS. Brimming with swagger and raw lyrics, the singer dropped her first single from her upcoming debut project TEETH OUT and we can’t get enough. Tearing up the savage production with sassy lyrics and attention-grabbing looks, the singer unleashed her creativity on the track and video, running wild with animal print galore and iconic looks.
Looking back on the single, the rising star said, “I am still pinching myself that this is my reality. I have been creating the FAANGS world in my head for so long, that I can’t believe the vision is actually creeping to life! The reception for HUH has been shocking. I can’t believe anyone gives a fuck, and the fact that more than just me does, blows my mind and warms the hell out of my soul. This is just the beginning.”
With her upcoming project, pending for release in coming months, we caught up with FAANGS talking her Y2K inspired video, creating empowering music for her fans and her goals for the future.
Check out the interview below…
Hi Charlie, how has lockdown been treating you? How has it impacted your music and creativity?
Lockdown was a definite mental battle. I’ve been so climatized to constantly being on the move and having a packed schedule, so being forced to be in my own company and have no choice but to remain idle was difficult. I needed the rest and my creativity was running dry, so it ended up being a very restorative break. I know I am one of few who can say it was semi-positive. I climbed out of lockdown with the freshest perspective to make music and finish the project.
How did growing up in Alberta influence you sonically? Who were your musical heroes?
I have a lot of love for my hometown. It was a very chill place to grow up, not too much going on there, which I think instilled a real fire in me to break free of the normal lifestyle everyone adheres to there. Growing up, my musical heroes were Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Freddie Mercury!
How would you describe your genre, and where are the most unusual places you pull musical inspiration from?
My genre of music is somewhere between pop, trap and electric high fashion hell. Haha. I’m honestly never sure how to categorise it. But it’s definitely in the dark and strange pop realm. I pull most inspiration from clothes, blurry nights out, the constant war I have with my emotions and wild situations I like to put myself into – usually a mix of foreign cities and long nights.
Congratulations on your recent single “HUH” – how has the reception been to it?
I am still pinching myself that this is my reality. I have been creating the FAANGS world in my head for so long, that I can’t believe the vision is actually creeping to life! The reception for “HUH” has been shocking. I can’t believe anyone gives a fuck, and the fact that more than just me does, blows my mind and warms the hell out of my soul. This is just the beginning.
Do you have a favourite lyric – something you think will resonate deeply with your listeners?
In regards to “HUH”, I think my favourite lyric as of right now is ‘Drop top in a Rolls Royce/I know you want one/And I got Lindsey Lohan riding shotgun.’ Only because it’s so cheeky, and Lindsey Lohan is a queen. In terms of upcoming lyrics that will really resonate with my listeners, there is one song that is my favourite I’ve ever made. It’s called ‘I’m in Love with my Depression’. I’m very excited to share my vulnerability with my fans and also release music that provides healing and support for those going through what I’ve been through and am still going through.
Loved the Y2K music video – is fashion a super important element to your music?
Fashion is as vital as the music in my opinion. I’ve always been disgustingly obsessed with clothing, and the power it gives you to make a statement in a room and express oneself is a major element to the FAANGS’ world. I love morphing into different characters and attitudes through threads and jewellery. The music already has so much personality, but the fashion hyper accentuates it.
And you’ve got your debut project coming up, Teeth Out – what can you tell us about it? What unites the tracks as a body of work?
My stomach twisted reading this question because I am so thrilled to put this project out! Teeth Out as a body of work and narrative, takes you through the mental battle and blood sweat and tears it took to make this project. I faced a million doors that slammed shut in my face because no one believed in me or what I was making. I refused to take no for an answer and over years of persistence and being my only supporter, I became resilient as fuck and started making and fighting for this project, with all my Teeth Out to make it come to life. There were extreme lows, extreme highs, and moments where I lost myself completely. The whole project is tied consistently with the essence of fearlessness, visual lyrics, and some real playful saturated attitude. I am so proud to admit that I wrote the entire project myself.
Much of your messaging is really empowering – how do you want fans to feel when they listen to your music?
I want fans to feel like they can do absolutely anything through the music. I want you to be able to scream, cry, dance until you fall over, fall in love, and strut your sh*t to the music. I want people to feel like they have a friend that is always there, telling them they are badass, worth the world, bad as fuck and not alone. I want to allow people to have the ability to escape fully from whatever they are going through and immerse themselves in melodies and 808’s.
What’s next for you? What are you looking forward to in 2020?
Once the project drops, there will certainly be more visuals. I’d love to do a live show of some kind before the year is up if Ms. Corona permits, and just keep growing the connection with the fanbase I have been so fortunate to have. I want the whole damn world, but I know it’ll take time. I’m excited to hustle and grow one day at a time.
