If there is one thing that I love the most about my Get to Know interview series, it is introducing brand new musicians that are aiming to make themselves known in the UK. I am pleased to share my next installment in the Get to Know series, with a very talented singer, who is already known as a Nashville songstress, and that is the lovely FAÏNN! She has recently released her poignant ballad Sometimes and is ready to make her mark in the UK music scene. Read on to learn more about her and her music .
Hi FAÏNN, please share with us how your journey into music began.
I started singing at a really young age. My parents always had music playing in the house, and I just fell in love with diving into their massive music collection. I would spend an afternoon listening to CDs and reading all of the liner notes. Singing always just felt so natural and so joyful, so I started finding every opportunity I could to sing. It was all I ever wanted to do, honestly. So when the time came for me to think about college, it wasn’t a surprise that I wanted to pursue music. My parents were always incredibly supportive driving me to shows and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. They still come see me perform as much as they can to this day.
As well as singing, you’re also a vocal coach and a songwriter. How did you diversify into these areas?
That’s a great question. It’s not always easy. I’ve learned that I have to have some space between singing, writing, and teaching.
When I write, I really want to focus on what I want to say and how I want to say it first. I honestly consider myself to be more of a lyricist than a melodic writer at this point, so I keep the melody super fluid and only try to start working that out once I have a concrete idea of the song. And even then, I like to work with someone who really likes writing melodies to help me shape it. And I really have to live with the melody to make sure that it feels good.
As a vocal coach, you really have to have a good ear and be able to listen, fine tune things, and look at the song from several different angles. I’ve learned that I have to turn off that part of my brain a bit when it comes to working on my own songs. It’s really easy for me to over analyze what I’m doing and how I’m doing it. I have a vocal coach who I work with, so they can take the reins and help me take my teaching hat off with my own music.
As a vocal coach, can you share some tips for any upcoming singers?
Yes! If it hurts, stop. You have nothing to prove, and the cost of singing through pain is never worth it. Work with a vocal coach who you trust. And consistency is the key to real progress.
I really enjoyed listening to your latest release Sometimes. While the song sounds deeply personal, I was able to identify with it too. Could you share the story behind it?
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. That really means a lot to me.
I wrote Sometimes with Kane Miller, who is a Canadian singer/songwriter. I came up with the idea to write a song about things that we wish we could go back and say to our younger selves. I tend to worry about so many things, and I was particularly stressed about where I was at that time in my life. Everything just felt uncertain in so many ways at that time. And when there isn’t a clear path, I always tend to think that things will turn out worse, rather than better.
But, as we started writing, we realized that although there have definitely rough seasons in our lives, so many things turned out for the good. And that message of hope really stuck with me. Eventually, everything is going to be alright.
For most singers, their end goal is to reach Nashville, but since you have started from there, where else would you like your music to be heard?
Absolutely everywhere! Haha. But seriously, I would actually love to make it to the UK at some point in the near future. That’s been on my bucket list for a while.
In order for us to get to know your music better, please share with us your favourite singer songwriters.
There are so many songwriters who I love, but Adele, LÉON, and Phoebe Bridgers are on heavy rotation at the moment. Sad songs that you can sing along to in the car at the top of your lungs will always win in my book.
Now that the world is on the other side of 2020, can we expect to see FAÏNN perform for her fans?
Yes! I started performing live shows last summer, and it felt so good to be in front of an audience again. I absolutely plan to perform lots more in 2023.
Any teasers of your forthcoming projects?
I have a Christmas cover coming out in a few weeks that I’m excited to release. Also, Sometimes is part of an EP, titled Force, which will be out in early 2023. It’s been such a long time coming. I’m so excited it’s almost here.
Thank you so much FAÏNN for your time and for sharing your musical thoughts with me. You can follow FAÏNN on all social media platforms (fainnmusic) and don’t forget to check out her single Sometimes.
Jem Girl at the Piano 