Thank you for joining us today! We are joined by Ally Bakst to chat about her music and future in music! We’re excited to learn more about you! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest release? What motivated you to create this particular piece of art?
Thanks for having me! I actually wrote this song a few years back during covid when it felt like a lot of bad things were happening to good people around me. I couldn’t stand it when people would say, “everything happens for a reason,” because that’s not how it felt. It felt random and as though people were just trying to rationalize things that didn’t necessarily have some bigger purpose. To me, it felt as though the world was in chaos, and everyone in the way was just collateral. STFU means something so different to me now and has taken on a whole life of its own that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but that’s where the idea originated from.
What is your creative process like? Have you faced any challenges or breakthrough moments during your music career?
Every song is different, but this song, like many, I started alone in my room just by humming a melody and playing around on the piano. I gradually built a track on Logic, but at the time I didn’t have the resources to do it the way I wanted to. It was challenging to know that I had this really cool idea, but didn’t have the full set of skills, knowledge, or team to finish it the way I wanted to and the way it deserved to be done. A year or so later, I met my producer Mark Vogel and knew he was the perfect person to help me bring STFU to life. Working with Mark was a huge breakthrough in my career and has unequivocally brought me to the next level. So much music I’d started had been sitting in my head and on my computer for so long, and he was finally able to relieve me of that weight. He teaches me so much, and bringing STFU, among other pieces, to its final form was incredibly satisfying and enlightening.
When we listen to your music we truly feel your unique style come through. How would you describe the sound and themes that listeners can expect from your next release compared to your previous work?
I really appreciate that, thank you so much. The music I create is atmospheric and has a dark pop vibe to it. Listeners can expect interesting harmonies weaving through the rest of the soundscape while supporting the lead vocal, which remains the star of the show. The themes I explore range from very existential and introspective to stream of consciousness depending on the song. My music dives into what it’s like to be a woman, grow up, love, get hurt, move on, and so much more. In relation to my older work, I feel that the core of what I create remains the same, but listeners will definitely be able to hear the growth that I’ve experienced as an artist and person through the sonics, lyrics, and overall level of production.
As an artist, growth and evolution are essential. In what ways do you feel you’ve grown or evolved as an artist?
I totally agree that growth and evolution are essential. I think that when I started making things, I put this pressure on myself to make every single song perfect and spent way too long working on one thing at a time. I’ve grown to appreciate the beauty of letting something develop without the constant fear of messing it up. I definitely trust myself more as an artist now to make something cool and move onto the next thing. I know I’m growing when a song I was incredibly excited about while making it starts to feel outdated. It’s as if each song I make is a representation of all the new things I’ve learned during the process, and when I’m finally done, I hyper focus on the next thing. It’s a never ending cycle of creation that ebbs and flows. Things you never even knew you needed or wanted to learn appear with each project, and it’s beyond fulfilling to see that growth as your discography expands.
Thank you for joining us today Ally, we are so excited to see your music career flourish! Lastly, where can our audience follow you on social media to stay updated on your future projects and connect with you?
Thanks for having me! I’m so grateful to share my story and music with all of you and can’t wait for you to hear STFU as well as all of my upcoming music. I’m @allybakst on Tik Tok and Instagram, and you can find me as Ally Bakst on all streaming platforms.
End of Interview