After briefly returning last year to deliver her vibrant comeback single 'Day Of The Dead', Nashville-based artist Pauline Andrès is back for 2024 to unveil her dreamy new single 'Different Now'.
Exploring more of that rich and glittering aesthetic she is known for, 'Different Now' makes for a dazzling return for her. With its warm and breezy textures, sweeping atmosphere, and spellbinding vocals at the helm, she continues to ascend as one of the more mesmerising names on the rise right now.
So with the new track available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitars, I grew up on 90s rock listening to PJ Harvey and Oasis, so I wanted one from a very young age and never looked back. I still write most everything on an acoustic guitar first, even totally electronically produced songs.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
The same as today: mostly music with stories and high quality lyrics. I don’t stick to one genre but I stick to a certain standard when it comes to the quality of the songwriting. From Nick Cave to Oasis to Chappel Roan today, that’s all that really matters to make me love and follow and artist’s work.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I have no memories of that, it would make a fun story because I’m sure it would be mortifying, but it’s all a blur.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
So many! The songs I love most both inspire me to write and make me feel like my writing is not required at the same time. I have a recurring obsession for The Curse of Millhaven by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The story is cuckoo and so well written. “Every Time I Hear That Song” by Brandi Carlisle is also way up there oh my list of “damn I wish I would have come up with that line”.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
No. I never “try” and write. I just do. And it comes when it comes. I don’t believe in forcing myself. I can literally hear it when a song plays somewhere and I know someone was forced in a writing room with a stranger. Life happens and songs come up, I like that natural process way better.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Like many I am in awe of Chappel Roan’s rise to fame. Her songwriting is stellar and the production on her latest record is perfection. Since I’m working on a lot of music myself, I’m very focused on things that serve the process, and currently, that’s a lot of 80s music from Kate Bush to Journey. But it’s more research (and guilty pleasure) than anything else. I’m also listening to a lot of Florence and the Machine these days.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Matt Berry.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
It’s really just that. Being a musician. You have an extra, healthy and creative way to express emotions in their original form frequencies and vibrations, literally. The business part of it is mostly a nightmare no matter what level you’re on.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The current pressure to release all the time. F that, as far as I’m concerned. And more and more artists are saying no to that. A song is not a reel on Instagram. It’s a work of art. I’m more interested in doing that than flirting with an algorithm that will be updated in a week anyway.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Just use your ears.” It’s easy to get lost in a world of gear, trends and criticism. Use your ears. Does it sound good? Then it is. It’s not that deep.
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Pauline Andrès' new single 'Different Now' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.