penelope

Gearing up to release her debut EP, penelope has already proven herself as a force to be reckoned with. We talked to the folk-pop singersongwriter about her latest release, lessons she’s learned and more!

words by VANESSA SALLES photo by GENEVIEVE ANDREWS

Tell us about “coming home” – what’s the story behind the song?

“coming home” is about that feeling of relief when you know you’re about to be “home” - whether that be a literal place, a house, or the person you love. For me, this song is about feeling centered and loved by the person you hold closest, or the house you grew up in. Last year, I moved to LA and felt a bit lost and discombobulated. I’d often drive up to the Bay Area where a lot of my friends were living or fly home to NYC for the holidays. As I reached that final exit on the highway or my plane began its descent, I felt such comfort in simply knowing that despite whatever was going on in my life, I was about to be “home”.

Any memorable moments while writing/recording it?

Like most songs, “coming home” started out as a simple voice note idea on my phone. When I sent the original few seconds of it to my co-writer, Naz Tokio, she loved it immediately. I remember I had originally written the chorus as “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you I do” instead of “I’m coming, I’m coming, I’m coming right home to you”. As soon as Naz and I hopped on our Zoom writing session she said “Hey P, I have an idea… how about ‘coming home to you’ instead of the love you’s?” and it stuck like glue.

Tell us about your upcoming debut EP! Overall, how would you describe the vibe of it?

I’m so excited! I think the vibe is really raw and honest. Songwriting to me has always been an outlet for the thoughts and feelings I’m passing though and I always try to put as much honesty in there as possible. These songs are my babies and I am just so excited to share them with the world.

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process is pretty dependent on my emotional state. I’m a deeply emotional person (probably because I’m a Scorpio…) and so my best songs come out when I am feeling really strongly about someone or something. It usually begins with me finding a chord progression that I like - once I have the chords down, it’s pretty easy for me to find the melodies and the words. Sometimes, though, I will think of a really killer phrase and sing it into my phone or write it down and then build around it.

When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) are you inspired by?

I totally relate to artists who have alter egos when they go on stage - people like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, etc. You have to be the most hyped up version of yourself. As a former athlete, I was taught to be strong, confident, and fierce - so I bring that with me on stage. I’m not exactly a shy person but I do think I tend to fall on the quiet side sometimes. On the stage, there’s no time to be quiet!

What would you say has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned this year?

I think 2020 has brought a lot of lessons along with it… but I’d say that the biggest one is to not take your health for granted (that is, if you are a healthy, able-bodied person). If anything, this pandemic has shown us how precious life is and, throughout it all, I have just been so grateful for my health as well as the health of my family and friends.

Any special message to fans?

Just a huge thank you! Thank you so much for listening to my music, for the kind messages you guys send me on Instagram or Facebook, and for being with me on my journey! It’s not an easy path and having you all there to listen and support me along the way is truly what makes it all worth it!