ADDY FAITH

 1Q: “Bold” feels both empowering and emotionally vulnerable at the same time. Was it difficult to balance those two sides while writing the lyrics? 

It was actually fairly easy to write this song and balance out the themes in it. The point of this song was to get my audience to feel bold and empowered like the song and to let others see under your mask. I also wanted this song to feel like it came from the 2000s so I wrote in similar styles as Avril Lavigne to fit within its time period. 

2Q: You explore themes like imposter syndrome and BPD very openly in this song. Did writing these lyrics feel therapeutic for you in any way? 

Writing the song definitely felt therapeutic in the sense that it became a sort of anthem for me that I wanted to share with my listeners. It was set as a reminder to myself to be bold, be you and not think about the “what ifs” and just chase my dreams and live life to the fullest. With having BPD, I sometimes think the fun, bold side of me is a different person, but this song is to remind myself, and others with BPD, that every part of you, even the negative parts, are wholly you. 

3Q: What inspired you to make “Bold” the very first release from your double album project? 

I wanted to kick the project off with something that felt easily digestible and sets the tone for the 2000s theme. It is the first single to come from my EP “Bangers to Play on Richfield Way” that explores the idea of how the audience sees me as an artist with BPD and becomes the first mirror to the opposing album, “all because of you” that focuses more on how patients with BPD actually feel. 

4Q: There’s a strong theme of identity throughout the song, especially with the idea of masks and perception. What does that concept personally mean to you? 

As an artist, I separate my musical persona from the person I actually am, therefore sometimes sparking imposter syndrome. It sometimes feels like the success I receive isn’t mine to obtain, but this song is to remind me that I am deserving of reaching my goals and I hope that others can connect with that message as well. 

5Q: Did you ever worry about being this emotionally honest in your songwriting? 

I do sometimes worry that I focus too much on the message rather than the music. For example, my last album, Rev, was targeted, angry, storyline based and conveyed the emotions well, however, I focused too hard on the story and getting my anger out rather than allowing my audience to feel it with me. That’s why with this project, my goal is to connect with my listeners emotionally rather than just simply telling them what message I want to convey. 

6Q: You mention wanting listeners to feel fearless while hearing the song. What kind of emotional reaction were you hoping people would walk away with? 

I want people to “leave feeling so fucking bold” after hearing this song. Its intended purpose was to invoke the feeling rather than the concept of hiding under masks and having fun. The purpose of both albums is to get my listeners to feel the emotions from all of the songs in hopes to understand the message better than just taking it at face value. 

7Q: Was there a specific lyric in “Bold” that became the emotional center of the entire song for you? 

The chorus, “feeling so fucking bold”, is framed as a mantra and became the center of the song because it perfectly sums up the entire premise of the song. You have to have confidence and be bold enough to chase the things you want and deserve. 

8Q: The song has a strong pop punk spirit while still dealing with serious mental health themes. How did you find that balance? 

The thing I picked up from most songs from the era of 2000s pop punk was that deep messages were often hidden behind catchy choruses and fun riffs. I essentially framed the lyrics to be fun and quirky but hinting at something hidden underneath the surface and paired it with a memorable, for the era, instrumental to capture not only the essence of the song, but to feel like it came from 2008. 

9Q: Avril Lavigne and blink-182 were influences on this release. Were there any specific lyrical elements from that era of pop punk that inspired you? 

The song’s main inspiration was “Sk8ter Boi” by Avril Lavigne. The main chorus was simple enough and catchy that the audience, including me, were pulled in and wanted more. In my own way and with my own words, I wanted to capture the simplicity and quirk that Avril had in my own music. 

10Q: “Bold” feels very personal, but also very universal. Were you surprised by how many people connected to the lyrics? 

I didn’t think that people would like the song as much as they do. I’m surprised that it was so easy to be able to convey an emotion and have others hooked on the feeling just as much as I am. If Bold is doing its job successfully, I have no doubt that the rest of the songs from this project will do its job successfully as well. 

11Q: Did working with Giovi Castillo and Brandt Moon influence the emotional direction of the songwriting? 

Working on this project allowed Giovi, Brandt and I to understand each other better and get closer. They were the reason I wanted to make this project because I wanted them to also see 

things in a different light. It also motivated me to understand my own illness well enough to begin to heal from it. 

12Q: Do you think listeners need to fully understand BPD to emotionally connect with the song? 

The premise of this project is to get people to understand BPD even if they have never heard of it before. Bangers to Play on Richfield Way and all because of you explore most of the important aspects of the illness and frame it in a way people will be able to feel the emotions along with me and therefore gain a better understanding of what it’s like for other patients. 

13Q: How does “Bold” set the tone for the rest of the double album project lyrically? 

It is basically the theme song for both albums. No matter what symptom, obstacle or person stands against you, the lyrics state to be “bold” and fight for what you want and believe in. It is one of the only ways to heal and break the cycle. 

14Q: What do you hope someone struggling with self-worth takes away from this song? 

Be bold and be you. There is no obstacle that you can’t face and you are your own biggest critic. Step out of your comfort zone and go after the things you dream of. No one but you can stop you.