Photo Credit: Sabrina Carrizo Sztainbok
Finding yourself after being attached to another is both a challenge and a blessing all at the same time. Whether it’s after a divorce, friends, or in the case of Deanna Petcoff – a band. Leaving Pins & Needles to embark on her own thing, this lover of the ‘60s aesthetic just dropped her single, “Terribly True.”
Fans will have to wait for the whole album which she is planning on releasing this summer. She noted, “We’re taking our time with the record because we want it to really serve the songs, and make sure the project is everything we want it to be.” She’ll also be playing regionally in the near future. While you all wait for the EP and the dates, you can get to know more about Deanna Petcoff in this charming exchange.
Kendra: You spent a great deal of time as part of a band in Pins & Needles. Was there any doubt in your mind that you’d continue with music once the band came to an end?
Deanna Petcoff: There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that I’d continue playing music. I’ve known for many years now that playing music is what I want to do with my life, so it was not even a question that even after Pins broke up I’d continue on my own.
Kendra: Other than the potential to reinvent oneself as a solo artist, what other positives have come with the change?
Deanna: Going solo offers the opportunity to collaborate with more and different people because your team can involve revolving players. This can be either a positive or negative, but in general, I’ve found it quite enjoyable so far.
Kendra: You’ve noted how inspired you are by the sounds of the ’60s, especially on “Terribly True.” Is the music the only thing you love about that decade?
Deanna: I’m specifically drawn to the music and fashion of the decade. I really take a lot of that into consideration for my aesthetic choices for fashion and tonally for my songs.
Kendra: “Terribly True” is about a moment when you realized you loved the idea of love more than the person. You had that realization and then penned the song. Did you stop and analyze what you wanted in a partner as well?
Deanna: I definitely did have to take time to think about what I want in a partner. Songwriting really helped with that. It’s difficult to be analytical of yourself when you’re 20. I’ve always felt I was quite in tune with my emotions though. It’s important when thinking about a future partner to think of the attributes you’d like them to have instead of the ones you don’t want them to have. Focus on that instead of who you think you want. You could be completely in love with someone, but if they don’t give you what you need then the relationship is doomed to fail.
Kendra: You also said you were sort of like the antagonist in your own story there. In recent years we’ve seen a lot of popular anti-heroes. Breaking Bad’s Walter White being one of the most notable. Do you have any favorite anti-heroes?
Deanna: I don’t have any particular favourite anti-heroes. In many ways everyone can be an anti-hero in their own lives. It’s impossible to be perfect and kind to everyone all the time. Humanity isn’t as black and white as heroes and anti-heroes, good and evil. We’re all working towards being better people and we slip up sometimes. I think that’s the feeling I was trying to explore in relation to romance in “Terribly True.”
