INTERVIEW: Pom Pom Squad 2023

Pom Pom Squad!! How are you at this moment?

Hi! I’m good. Relishing being home for an extended period of time.

How did you start making music?

I started making demos in my bedroom when I was around sixteen. It really started as a hobby. When I moved to New York for college I started playing live shows and that’s when I really fell in love with music and wanted to make a career out of it.

When you're creating music, what's your favorite part of the process?

Lately producing has been my favorite! Recently, I’ve been starting off by writing MIDI parts in Logic. It’s inspiring to just play with sounds and see how I can stretch myself as a producer and writer. My other favorite is writing lyrics but that’s much more intimidating. It really is a craft and a practice. You have to take knotted up thoughts and feelings and hammer them into just a few lines. It’s really rewarding when I can do it well!   

Your lyrics are so personal and honest - how do you find the courage to share such vulnerable stories with your fans?

I honestly don’t know. I always have a panic attack before I release something.

I write to understand myself better and because I need to. In making those thoughts into something I’m proud of, it helps me detach from them in a healthy, cathartic way. When I feel that sense of detachment, that's when I feel ready to share my writing.Even though they tend to be so personal, It’s really special how it can resonate with other people – it never ceases to amaze me. 

Your debut album, "Death of a Cheerleader," is amazing - can you talk a bit about the inspiration behind the album's themes and title?

Thank you! That’s really kind. The album was inspired by coming out as queer in my early 20s. When I came out, I realized the ways in which I was performing to hide my identity throughout the course of my life. The cheerleader archetype has always represented a beauty standard I held myself to but never felt like I could achieve. I The title has to do with that - burying a certain expectation of myself to be a certain type of girl. I think everything I make ultimately has to do with exploration of myself and writing DoaC helped me sort out what I was going through at the time.

Your music videos are always so visually stunning - what's your creative process like when making them?

Thank you! I’m a very visual person. I’ve always loved music videos and I feel lucky that I’ve gotten to make them. When I’m starting a project I make a lot of mood boards. It helps me carve out the “world” of the record. Typically I’ll start with colors, textures, emotions and extrapolate those into scenes and images. 

You've used your platform to speak out about important issues like gender inequality and mental health - why is it so important to you to use your voice for change?

In terms of gender inequalityI think it’s important to create awareness of the inequities people face because we all in one way or another feel the effects of them. When I was younger, learning about feminism from the artists I admired really changed my life. Now that I have a platform, however small, I realize I can be that person for someone else. In terms of mental health, it’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life. Dealing with your mental health can be an isolating experience and it's important to let people know they’re not alone.  

What can fans expect from Pom Pom Squad in the future? Any upcoming projects or shows you're excited about?

I’m currently writing my second record! I always try to make every new project better than the last so hopefully fans can expect PPS upgraded! 

We’re going on tour with Poppy and PVRIS in September which is really exciting!! 

Lastly, what’s your zodiac sign?

I am proudly a cancer!