Gwen: Pop & Kültür
Gwen was interviewed by Turkish magazing, Pop & Kültür. Translation below is by @GwenTurkey.
Q: First of all, congratulations on your new release “Slow Clap.” Before we start to talk about your new releases, I would like to ask you a question about the world’s situation Covid-19. As you know the pandemic session is still with us. How is the pandemic going for you? How do you spend your time? How did it change your life?
A: There have been a lot of silver linings for me in the last year. I got to spend a lot of time with my family. I got engaged. I got really inspired about songwriting and because of zoom and virtual songwriting. I was able to make an entire album. So lots of good stuff. I've actually been really busy. I was fortunate enough to even get to film (and win) The Voice last year and that was really exciting. I feel like we're coming to the end of it in a way, and I am very eager to get back to something more normal now that I have new music. I'd love to be able to perform live again soon and get my kids back in school and get more of a regular flow going.
Q: During the quarantine, you were busy with your new music projects. How did this process affect you in terms of inspiration and energy?
A: I think having a pause in life was really a great thing for my family and me. Doing something simpler, a simple kind of life, which we always dreamed about. By doing that, it got me reignited to do what I probably do best, which is make music. It was out of nowhere and I didn't know that I was going to be writing a new album at all or even that it was possible. But because of the circumstances I got to work with a lot of really talented people. And when a new song is born, it's probably one of the most exciting things that happens to me in my life.
Q: One of the greatest albums was “This Is What The Truth Feels Like” which is now 5 years old. This album included very beautiful songs like “Used To Love You”, “Make Me Like You” etc. I believe that this album was a huge part of your career. How does it feel that all this time has passed? What does this album mean to you?
A: It feels like a dream to think that so much time has gone by. It marks a really crazy challenging time in my life when my life was changing drastically in good ways and in hard ways. So I think that the record is really great. The people that I wrote with on that album such as Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter to mention a few, are so talented. Time is going by too quickly and I only got to do one tour on that album and didn't get to go tour the whole world; I only toured America, so I feel like it would be amazing to be able to take this new body of work and the songs from This Is What The Truth Feels Like around the world to play some of the new songs live.
Q: You’ve just released your latest single “Slow Clap”. You wrote and also produced this song. Can you talk about this song’s origin? When and how did you start to create this song? How were the recording sessions?
A: “Slow Clap” was the second song that I wrote with Ross Golan and Luke Niccoli. I actually wrote it consecutively right after writing “Let Me Reintroduce Myself” with them, so it sort of feels like these two songs are somehow connected. They have a similar kind of theme to them in a way and I just wanted to make music that felt nostalgic, fun, up-tempo and familiar. “Slow Clap” really does that, so I'm excited to finally get to share it with everyone.
Q: Hollaback Girl, was released back in 2005 and has dominated the iTunes charts 16 years later now. How do you feel? How does it feel that your music is still timeless and is iconic?
A: Wow, that song is just one of those songs you can't really ever compete with again in your lifetime. It was just out of nowhere and it was a cultural collision between Pharrell and myself. It was born out of trying to make something good out of something bad and I think that it's incredible to have a song that keeps re-charting over the years. I’m just really proud of it and it really feels surreal to have a song that can reach so many different kinds of people and different ages and over so many years.
Q: You have been producing music professionally for many years. The world and music have been changing and evolve over time. What do you feel and think when you look at your discography?
A: When I look at my discography, I feel a bit overwhelmed by the life behind me that I’ve lived, because the songs really capture a lot of the really important moments. If you count Tragic Kingdom as the first one and Return To Saturn as the second; those were really trying times for me. I don't really go back and listen to those songs, but obviously I get to relive those moments on stage live when I perform them. It's incredible to have had the blessed life that I've had to be a songwriter. I also look at everything and I think I wish I would have been able to do more somehow. Time just goes by and there's just never enough time to get it all out, but yes I feel super proud and I feel super grateful that people listened and I’m never going to be over that.
Q: Your new era is here. What can we expect of the New Album? Who are you working with on this album? Can you get us some exclusive details (spoilers)?
A: I was not expecting to do new music, so there’s something even more precious about it for me and the fact that I get to do it or that I did find the inspiration to do it and I had the opportunity. I really wanted to make music that was happy and joyful, that it felt familiar or nostalgic and just made people feel good in general. I am kind of going back to my ska reggae roots as a starting point. The record is coming together and with every single new song that's written, it sort of changes but I love it so far. I'm working with so many talented people I just keep getting inspired as it progresses. I keep getting introduced to new writers. Whoever I'm working with, we always end up writing multiple songs. It’s scary writing with new people but it keeps me fired up and I’m so lucky to get the opportunity to work with people that I know are highly recommended and master songwriters; it’s an amazing thing at this point in my life to build and work with them.
Q: Almost every album of yours is a new era for you and for your music. What's the most important thing for you when you working on a new project?
A: When I'm working on a new project the most important thing is to be truly 100% into it, inspired with all my heart and wanting to do it. If I'm forcing it or if it becomes a chore, then I don’t do it. I've been so lucky to get to do so much in my life and anything I do now has to come from a really pure place of passion. It always has been that way, but feels more important now, more than ever.
Q: You joined Dua Lipa and Mark Ronson for a remix of “ Physical”. It was very pleasant to listen to it. How was the work with them? What do you think about them?
A: When I got the call to do the project with Dua Lipa and Mark Ronson, it was super exciting because I was in the middle of lockdown quarantine. Dua Lipa had the biggest song of the year and it was the summer song everybody was listening to. I couldn’t believe she wanted me to be part of the track. It was super exciting and flattering. I really didn't get to spend any time face to face with her due to the pandemic, but we did a zoom together when she was guest hosting for Jimmy Kimmel on his show, and talked about looking forward to one day meeting in person.
Q: What's on your music playlist? Which artists do you follow from the new generation?
A: My music playlists are all over the map. I have playlists that Blake made me that are country playlists. I also have a playlist that is my yacht rock or old school, one hit wonder songs that bring back those nostalgic feelings. Those are my favorite playlists that I love listening to. I also love to go into the gym and listen to the newest pop playlist and see if there's anything that sticks out to me.
Q: You are one of the biggest icon in the pop/rock genre.Many young artists do see you as their idol. Do you think being in the music industry and being known all around the world is hard? Which advice would you give to the young artists, that want to enter into the music industry?
A: I don't really like to give too much advice, but I think genuinely the reason why I've stuck around this long is because I just stayed true to myself; I always wore the clothes that was my every day style. I evolved with the opportunities that accompanied the different stylists, makeup artists, photographers and songwriters that have come my way, but at the same time I've always followed my heart. As far as what I was into, I’m always going to continue to do that, but with an open heart obviously to evolve. Having an exchange of love with all these different cultures of people for such a long amount of time is something that I completely treasure; it never gets old and it never wears out and you always want more and it's addictive.
Q: Other than the new album, are there any plans/ projects you are working for your fans to look forward to?
A: There sure are lots of things in the works….. I look forward to sharing more news with you soon.