A lover of words, Quinn Squyres has always appreciated the alphabet and its constant work creating a myriad of everything from stories to songs. Both of which she’s quite taken with, and great at penning. Her latest song, “Love Too Good (Ride or Die)” was on the table as we chatted about her storybook start, those moments you just have to fake it until something comes of it, and what the future has in store in this back and forth.
Kendra: Inspired by fictional characters, would you say your music is a sort of homage to the fanfiction in a way?
Quinn Squyres: I think more than anything, I’m inspired by great story-telling songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, and Kanye West. I respect songwriters who use their own lives and relationships as fodder; however, I’ve always loved to build characters and stories, and I think songs can be a great medium for stories.
Kendra: Fanfiction feeds into fandoms and there are some fandoms that you just don’t want to mess with. Have you ever been part of one of those diehard fan groups that would go to bat for their favorite no matter what?
Quinn Squyres: I have never been a particularly aggressive fan, although one of my best friends doesn’t like Lorde, and she’s one of my absolute favorite artists, so we’ve genuinely had a couple of fights about how iconic I think ‘Melodrama’ is.
http://soundcloud.com/quinnsquyers/love-too-good-ride-or-die
Kendra: Sort of like, have you ever been a ride or die for a fandom? Which speaking of, let’s talk about your latest single “Love Too Good (Ride or Die).” You worked with some heavy hitters like Brian Vibberts on this track. For those not in the know, he’s worked with everyone from Mariah Carey to Lauryn Hill. With the likes of those artists on his resume, were you at all intimidated by sitting down with him and working on this?
Quinn Squyres: I have been working on music for such a long time that I always try to approach new opportunities with excitement rather than anxiety, but this is easier said than done. In my music career, I’ve definitely had some fake-it-till-you-make it moments (I probably should have issued a public apology the first few times I played guitar at shows). Still, the great thing about music-people is that you come to the table with something huge in common, and so once the ideas start rolling, people are almost always open and approachable.
Kendra: Are you working with him on your upcoming EP as well?
Quinn Squyres: For my next project, I’m still in the process of writing and making sure the songs I pick build off of the themes and ideas of this project while also bringing my work forward.
http://soundcloud.com/quinnsquyers/good-man
Kendra: Still a work in progress at the moment, but if you could give us an idea of what to expect on this record by comparing it to a venue in New York City that you feel fits the EPs aesthetic thus far, which would it be and why?
Quinn Squyres: I am a huge night owl, and if I think about the times when I particularly connect to music, it tends to be when I am in some form of transit, by myself, at night. The lonely moments of coming and going are where I really see my music fitting in, so while it’s not a venue per se, I would love for my EP to be the music people listen to in their via as they leave a party, date, city, etc.
Kendra: Other than working on this new record, what else do you have going on as we get closer to warmer temperatures this year?
Quinn Squyres: As I mentioned, I’ve always loved stories, and so I’m usually working on some writing (lately short stories). Also, like most people who grew up in New Jersey, I’m completely obsessed with the beach, and I love a good boardwalk. I can’t wait to get some sun, and I’ll be heading to Coney Island to ride the Cyclone and the tilt-a-whirl as soon as it gets warm
