CATLEA
Q: What inspired you to write “Crumbling”? Was there a specific moment or experience that triggered the lyrics?
A: I wrote ‘Crumbling’ after a breakup. I had been dating someone who created an idea of me in their head and saw me through the world’s most rose-tinted glasses. I was inspired to write a song about the impossibility to live up to those unrealistic expectations.
Q: There’s a powerful contrast in the song between being built up and then torn down. How did you approach capturing that duality in the lyrics?
A: I knew what I wanted to write about: the dichotomy between the fantasy one person creates and the reality of who that other person is, plus the pain and confusion that comes with being the person who had those expectations placed on them. Honestly, once I had that idea in my head I just sat down at my piano and the song just sort of came out of me.
Q: The recurring theme of being “crumbling down” resonates throughout the track. What emotions were you channeling when you wrote those words?
A: The main emotions were confusion, heartbreak, and the sort of panic that you feel when you get too comfortable with someone who doesn’t actually have your best interest at heart. There was no other way to describe that moment of “Oh no,” where it feels like the ground is being ripped from under your feet.
Q: The lyrics mention “rebuilding” yourself after being torn down. Is this a theme you find yourself returning to in your music often?
A: I definitely write similar or adjacent themes in other songs. I would say the things I tend to write about are more generally about the complexities of the relationships we have with ourselves and others, whether that be about rebuilding yourself, dealing with dishonest people, or longing for something more.
Q: How do you think “Crumbling” fits within the larger narrative of your music? Does it connect with themes you’ve explored in your previous work?
A: ‘Crumbling’ definitely fits into the bigger picture of the story I’m trying to tell. If you put it next to all the other songs I’ve written for my upcoming album ‘Language Barrier’ it tells a cohesive story. I write about lots of different things, but each song tells you a little bit more about the experience of losing and finding yourself again.
Q: What kind of message do you hope listeners take away from “Crumbling”?
A: I know everyone will hear a different story when they hear ‘Crumbling.’ That’s the nature of music. But if there’s one universal take away from the song, I hope it can help people move on from the things that no longer serve them. Feel all the messy, complex, difficult emotions. Find the humor in the situation. And then move on. There’s better things ahead.
Q: Can you share how your personal experiences have influenced the way you write lyrics, especially in songs like “Crumbling”?
A: All of my lyrics are heavily influenced by my real life experiences. If I can’t personally connect to a song I’m writing, I find it very difficult to see how anyone else could. I often write in metaphors, but the stories I tell come from a real place.
Q: Do you find writing about difficult emotions to be a cathartic process, or is it more challenging for you to confront those feelings in your music?
A: I find it very healing to write about my experiences, although sometimes it’s difficult if the wound is too fresh. The hard part is sharing my songs with others. It’s difficult to be vulnerable, especially when the main way you express yourself is through sculpting those emotions into something you hope is pretty enough to display.
Q: How has your songwriting evolved over time, and where does “Crumbling” fit into that evolution?
A: My lyrics and compositions have gotten more complex over time. With ‘Crumbling’ specifically, I think it really highlights how much I’ve improved at conveying complex emotions. It’s not just a “This is sad,” or “This is happy,” kind of song. It’s about going through something painful and knowing you can heal even amidst all the chaos.
Q: Who are some of your biggest influences when it comes to lyricism?
A: Oh, I have so many. PVRIS is a big one. So is twenty one pilots. I grew up listening to all kinds of different music though, so I think it’s safe to say that everything from Pink Floyd to Kalandra has had an influence on how I write.
Q: What is your creative process like? Do you usually start with lyrics, melody, or something else entirely?
A: I usually start with a line in my head and the melody already right there with it, and then I’ll find the instrument and chords I want to use for my outline and go from there. Usually I won’t stop until the song is either complete or just on the cusp of being complete.
Q: How do you know when a song’s lyrics are finished? Do you often go back and revise, or do you trust your initial instincts?
A: I know the lyrics are finished when each line in the song is something I’m proud of. If I get that gut feeling of “Oops, that line’s no good,” then I’ll go back and change it over and over again until I land on something that works. Sometimes I’ll have the majority of a song complete, but a couple lines here and there aren’t quite right. I’ll show the song to my team and they’ll give their opinion on where things could be improved, and it’s almost always the lines I already knew I wanted to change. Honestly though, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and tend to get in my own way. Sometimes I need someone to stop me and go “Wait. This is good. This works.” And after some debate I’ll finally agree and accept that I’ve done a good job.
Q: “Crumbling” has a very personal feel to it. How do you balance sharing personal stories with creating something that listeners can relate to universally?
A: Honestly, I just trust that I’m not alone. I used to worry that my songs wouldn’t be “relatable” enough, but after being told by so many people that they’ve felt similar things or that my experience gave them a new insight in some way, I have faith that no matter what I’m singing about, someone else in the world will know what I mean. I’d rather not let my fear get in the way of my creativity.
Q: Are there any particular themes or messages you’re exploring in your upcoming work that build on what you’ve done in “Crumbling”?
A: Absolutely. I’m releasing an album on January 17, 2025 called ‘Language Barrier’ like I mentioned before. It takes you through the experience of grieving a relationship – both while you’re still in it and after it’s over – along with all the other things that come along with that process.
Q: Can you tell us about any moments of inspiration that have shaped your approach to songwriting?
A: I’ve mainly been inspired by my travels and the people I’ve met. I have an absolutely amazing team in Barcelona who have pushed me (with love, of course) to be the best version of myself and improve each day. I’m also inspired by other musicians. It’s one thing to write songs all alone in my bedroom on my piano or guitar, it’s another entirely to build a song with others who all have their own plethora of amazing ideas and talent.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring songwriters who are looking to write honest and impactful lyrics like yours?
A: Open your voice notes, hit record, and write something new every day. Even if you never let half of the things you create see the light of day, just write something. It doesn’t even have to be a full song – a chorus or a verse is enough. It might be difficult at first, but after a while, it’ll feel as easy as breathing. And most importantly: Write about things that matter to you. If you can’t think of anything that matters, then write a song about how nothing matters! There’s always another story to be told and infinite ways to tell it.
