Diandra Interviews Faerie: Welcome Everyone To Faerieland!

If everything that was bubbly, from champagne to the cute, little big eyes on a stuffed animal, could be transferred into music, you would get Faerie’s 2AM. The songstress’ EP is filled with the fantasies we have of reality, which is an artist’s life. To make art is to live in a dream version of reality that doesn’t shroud real darkness but understands light comes from how music fun and love you have despite it. In our interview, Faerie is fun, and she discusses the many ways you can love life to make it art. 

Diandra: Why 2AM? What does this hour mean to you?

Faerie: 2AM has always been a strange time for me. It’s always been a time where my mind gets into this chaotic, impulsive state. To cope, I’d just put my headphones on and listen to whatever teenage rage music I can find or dye my hair some crazy color.

There’s this quote from the show, How I Met Your Mother, where the main character, Ted, says, “Nothing good happens after 2am…just go to sleep because the decisions you make after 2am are the wrong decisions.” That stuck with me ever since.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPsA2BDjjcE

Diandra: If you could rule a Faerie world, what would it be called, what would be its 3 laws, what would it look like, and what would be your magical power?

Faerie: That’s great that you mentioned that because, during the lockdown, I created my own island called Faerieland on Animal Crossing. The roads were paved with red bricks and outlined with flowers. There was a marketplace in the middle of town where villagers could find baked goods, knickknacks, and listen to catchy tunes on the jukebox. It was definitely a peaceful world and I think I’d copy that same layout in real life.

The first law I’d have would be to celebrate arts and culture every Wednesday whether that’s having someone play music on the streets or cook delicious food for the town. The second law does not allow fairies to use their magic to turn themselves into humans (or else they’d have to live in the human world forever) and the third would be to always welcome an animal into your home if they ask for shelter.

My magical power would have to be something connected with the earth. Maybe being able to control earth-based minerals like plants and rocks? That seems fun I think!

Diandra: How do you see music like casting a spell or spreading fairy dust?

Faerie: Music holds a magical power on its own. My own personal experience with music is supernatural. My favorite songs are the ones that made me feel what the artist was going through, like some sort of haunting spell. I try to write music in the same way. I want people to listen to my music and picture the whole story in their head like they’re living through it with me.

Diandra: What is a Fever Dream to you, and what was your most recent one? 

Faerie: A fever dream to me is just chaos. It doesn’t make any sense and it’s otherworldly. Some fever dreams have deeper meanings and you’re able to have some sort of epiphany moment.

My most recent fever dream, that I can remember, was from a few nights ago. I was in a country I’ve never been to, which looked like Spain to me. My parents and friends were about to go on a river cruise run by pirates, except no one knew they were pirates but me. I tried to run to the boat but they built a glass wall around it and I couldn’t break through. I found a horse and started galloping across the water. I ended up drowning, being saved, and locked in an old museum. I was trying to escape but ended up being chased by men who resembled The Mountain from Game of Thrones. I always have wild, vivid dreams like these!

Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory with music?

Faerie: My favorite childhood memory with music is listening to early 2000s pop and asking my cousins and best friends to join my girl group. We had performances in front of our friends and family. I remember creating a set-list, organizing costumes, and figuring out our stage names. Super fun memories for sure! I think that’s when I knew I wanted to pursue music, too.

Diandra: Describe your first crush and what song best soundtracks it?

Faerie: Oh, man! My first crush was in kindergarten and it was the first time I ever felt butterflies for someone. He was super kind from what I remember. The both of us were featured in our local newspaper and I was so happy cause we were next to each other (haha).

The best song to describe that feeling would be “All About You” by McFly or “Butterflies” by Kacey Musgraves. Both are head over heels, high on cloud 9 types of songs!

Diandra: What is a tv show you would turn into a concept album? Why and from what angle?

Faerie: I actually did something like this a few years ago. I wrote songs based on the tv show Reign (a historical fiction show focusing on Mary, Queen of Scots). I just love historical fiction dramas. It’s intriguing, heart-breaking, and charming. I think I’d love to write a concept album from Mary’s perspective because there’s so much drama and passion. I’ve also been into the new show, Bridgerton, and would love to write something from Simon’s perspective for the same reason.

Diandra: What is an album you think would be a great movie? What would be its premise and cast?

Faerie: The first thing that came to mind was Melodrama by Lorde. That album sparked a fire in me and inspired me to continue writing more music. Melodrama has such an intimate, coming-of-age cinematic vibe. I never grow tired of it.

I can already imagine the premise being a musical (of course) about each young characters’ struggle with breaking free from past trauma. Each character could have their own story with an accompanying song. Starting with all the characters partying their feelings away in “Green Light” and ending with all of them coming to terms with their imperfect selves in “Perfect Places”.

I imagine a Euphoria-esque aesthetic with a cast of Zendaya, Beanie Feldstein, Olivia Rodrigo, Jordan Fisher, and Ben Levi Ross. That would be very exciting!

Diandra: What do you feel this EP says about your personality and style? Cite 3 qualities.

Faerie: First, I think this EP really showcases my love for retro styles. I absolutely love dressing up in ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s clothing. You can definitely see how that translates into my music with the syncopated rhythms and dreamy synths. Second, I’m quite an impulsive and passionate person. In these songs, you can hear how cluttered my mind can get with wild ideas followed by a trail of doubts. Third, I’m a dreamer and sometimes an escapist. I grew up living in the fantasy in my head and it took a while for reality to hit me in the face and give me a wake up call. I try to write about those experiences as much as I can in my music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwc_pYRLfaA

Diandra: What does this EP say about what you offer to others in love versus what you want to receive from them?

Faerie: This is a great question. I think I tend to give all I can when I care about someone. I’d go to great lengths just to make sure they know I love them: whether it’s traveling hours on a train just to visit them or putting together a video of happy memories just to make their day. I don’t expect anything in return since this is all out of love. Just spending quality time with them or even sending me my favorite meme is enough for me to know they care about me, too.

2AM is filled with those thoughts except the person I was giving my all to wasn’t reciprocating the same feeling. The last couple of years were tough because I had to let go of some relationships since it was getting toxic. I learned that relationships are a two-way street: no exceptions. This EP definitely helped me sort out those hard feelings and finally breakthrough.

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