Cailin Russo is in flow on INFLUX. The LA-based singer/songwriter has found her sweet spot on the new album, where she ebbs and flows over soft, acoustic production with diary-entry-like lyrics, to melting into hypnotic synths, and switching gears into club pop.

The record was conceived with opening track GLASS JEDI, which Cailin says set the "landscape" for the world of INFLUX. In celebration of the GLASS JEDI music video dropping today (above), we spoke to Cailin about creating the album, her chosen ones in fashion, and her love of AI:

We’ve been following you for a few years now and it’s been cool to see your growth. How are you feeling now that such a personal, determined project is out in the world now? ‍

Hiiii I love this question. Determination was definitely the game of this project. I feel so at ease and so grateful that INFLUX is finally out. Keeping a project that’s done but knowing I had to sit tight for so long was driving me insane and I mean that literally. ‍

It feels like you’ve really found your voice on INFLUX. Where were you writing the album and what was inspiring you?‍

I feel like I did a very intentional outline and map of the exact impact I wanted the listeners to have. From there, I wrote about mostly romantic experiences I was having, or had or was wanting to have. The album as a whole was really born out of spite (for lack of a better word). I had a very profound experience where one of my old collaborators told me “I would never be able to make a decision” insinuating that my indecisiveness would cripple my career. I decided to take that sentiment and make a genre less album that was sonically multidimensional and colourful.‍

We loooove “FATE’S INTERLUDE". Tell us about the creation of this song.‍

“FATE’S INTERLUDE” is my favourite song as well. Fate’s interlude to me literally translates into a break in destiny. A little pit stop before we reach our destination together. The song is yet to be a reality with whoever I choose to be with forever. It’s really an ode to the hopeless romantics.

‍You talk about the many identities you’ve had. What did you learn about yourself while making INFLUX?

I’ve learned that I actually have one identity that can wear lots of different styles. ‍

Is there a song you’re most proud of on the album? Or a moment from creating the album that has stuck with you?

“FATE’S INTERLUDE” is my favourite song off of the project. Some of my most proud moments come from the collaborators. Deaton Chris Anthony helped a lot with the album, Andrew Luce, Linus Hablot, Jesse Thomas, Oscar Scheller. Collaboration is most of my prized memories from the album creation process ‍

What do you hope people take away from listening to INFLUX?‍

I hope people are inspired after listening to INFLUX. ‍

We remember you worked on the Donda project. What did you take from that experience into your own songwriting?‍

I did work for 3 months on Donda. My perspective in life and art has changed immensely. Something I took away that I can apply to my songwriting moving forward is to be loose, be a child with melody and to write about what you’re really really experiencing. If you’re not having sex, don’t write about sex (unless it’s in your spirit then do whatever you want).‍

We love how much you also love fashion! Which brands/designers do you gravitate toward? What inspires you in this world?‍

I love Glenn Martens of Y-PROJECT. I also love Ottolinger, Conner Ives, and Mowa Lola.‍

You’ve been working in the world of Web3 and AI. What draws you to this space?‍

I love being the future. 

What’s next?‍

Next up for me is going on tour/ finalising what my live show experience is like. I would love to tour Asia and Europe. One of my goals has been to be on Jimmy Fallon, so hopefully that’s next, and some more music and collaborations with artists I respect. Those are my goals right now. Thank you guys so much.

Listen to Cailin Russo HERE.

@cailinrusso