ETATS D’AME
Q What motivated you to pen lyrics that encourage individuals to free themselves from society’s expectations?A I have observed that many people I know regret not having followed their instincts and had taken a voice that was drawn but tasteless out of fear, in order to be within the norm.
Q Why do you believe so many individuals feel compelled to remain silent rather than speak out? A Simply to not shock the good conscience. It is easier to hide one’s desires than to shock by stating our dreams.
Q The song is about creating your own strength by being brave enough to be different — how did you come to focus on that idea for Your Own Rules? A It is from my personal experience that I have always put passion before reason. I have often been misunderstood, but I have always remained true to my personality.
Q Can you expound on what “your own rules” means to you as a person?
A It’s simply staying true to oneself and not paying attention to the opinions of others while accepting the consequences.
Q Q Why did you wish to remind folks it’s okay to be frightened, rather than trying to eschew fear?
A Fear is part of our life; we must not avoid it but simply tame it so that it becomes a strength that helps us move forward.
Q How much do you think writing this song served to challenge your own fears or uncertainty?
A Personally, I have already passed this stage. I wrote this song precisely for those who still doubt their desires so that they no longer have to be afraid of being themselves.
Q How does the theme of living authentically in the song fit into the rest of your album?
A The theme of the album is the search for happiness, and so to start being happy, one must be oneself above all else.
Q Was there a moment when you knew that you were writing something greater than a song, but almost a personal anthem?
A Yes, at the time when I received numerous feedback from people for whom this song resonated and challenged their way of thinking.
Q Were there some lines in Your Own Rules that were especially challenging to craft or get just right?
A Not really, the lyrics came to me naturally because I had that in me for a long time and I wanted to share my experience.
Q What is most important that you want listeners to take away after listening carefully to the lyrics?
A Simply listen to their heart and realize their dream even if they think it may seem impossible; there is a force within us that is just waiting to emerge.
Q How do you stay true to your own rules as an artist, especially in an industry with so many expectations?
A It’s difficult because the majors set standards that are not in tune with the lives of real people, and I hope that one day the public will realize this and seek to listen to things that are closer to them.
Q The song is about going into the unknown. How do you deal with uncertainty in your own life?
A That’s exactly what I love, the unpredictable, going to unknown lands to better learn about oneself.
Q Have your own personal opinions about conformity and authenticity changed since writing the song?
A I have always had the same vision, but I hope that this song will change the way many listeners see things and make them ask themselves the question, am I being myself?
Q Looking back now, what does Your Own Rules mean to you that maybe it didn’t when you first wrote it?
A It reassures me in the idea that one can succeed in life without the opinions of others, and that is the secret to happiness in an increasingly difficult world where each of our actions is scrutinized.
