As her Instagram handle confirms, everyone loves Payday. We especially love an artist with grit, determination and humour, and Payday is the one. The 19-year-old artist from Seattle's new EP Trip To Venus has arrived, filled with high voltage, full throttle pop-rap where every song uncovers a new layer of the artist. Payday explores a darker sonic landscape through coming-of-age stories that touch on the nomadic lifestyle she experienced growing up moving state to state, heartbreak, and identity. We spoke to the artist, who is one of our favourite discoveries of 2022:

Why was French Kiss the perfect introduction for the project?

“I wanted to make an intro that served as a proper welcome into the world of Trips to Venus.  Something that felt a bit weird and also tied back to the recurring themes of the project… and I think the final product really nailed it on the head. It’s also directly connected to the storyline of Boyfriend – the dialogue in French Kiss is between the two lovers from Boyfriend and takes place while they’re on the run after committing murder (spoiler alert!)” 

Hustlin is so good. When did you begin rapping? Who are some of your favourite MCs?

“Thank you! Also I love the term “MC” I feel like no one says it anymore haha. I love the contrast in HUSTLIN - b/w the gentle pre-chorus and the aggressive, harder verses.  I started rapping & recording songs around 13 years old and would upload them to Soundcloud – you can still find some of them on there if you dig deep enough. Honestly I haven’t been listening to a ton of rappers lately, maybe the closest would be Yung Lean if he counts? I love his style so much.”

We love Yung Lean. Who has been an important figure in your life while you were making Trip To Venus? Did you have a mentor, or someone who was inspiring you?

“Hmm that’s a good question… I didn’t have anyone specific that I was looking up to personally or that served as a mentor, but maybe as an inspiration I’d say Lorde? When making Trips to Venus, I wanted it to feel like Pure Heroine. Lorde is just the best and I’ve always been such a huge fan of hers. To be completely honest I made a lot of the songs from Trips to Venus at different stages of my life, so there’s definitely different inspirations along each of those time periods. I think I was like 16 when I made White Mercedes, compared to HUSTLIN I think I made when I was 18 (fun fact!).”

You touch on all the relatable topics-  heartbreak, self-destruction, identity. What did you learn about yourself while you made this EP?

“Making Trips to Venus really showed me that I am truly always changing. I can’t stand to stay the same for too long, I always find myself adopting new sounds and styles. And I think that concept of constant change can also be applied life in general… One of the main themes of Trips to Venus is growing up, which brings about a lot of personal change whether it’s growing apart from friends, moving to different cities, or whatever. Change really is one of the few constants in life."

You travelled a lot as a kid with your family. How do you think this has informed your writing or sound - if at all?

“Moving a lot really opened my eyes to the fact that there are so many different people with different lives, upbringings, backgrounds. I think the proper term is sonder, but it’s the idea that every single person in the world has their own life that is just as complex as your own, complete with their own thoughts, feelings, problems, family, friends, etc.. it’s a bit of an overwhelming feeling, but I think realizing that at a young age helped make me a better person. I think that I was too young when I was moving for it to translate directly into my music now, but I know all of that moving has shaped who I am as a person which has indirectly informed my sound and music.” 

What’s something you’re passionate about (aside from music)?

“Ahh I am super passionate about clothes and fashion ! ! ! Shopping is the best and designing clothes is the second best ! ! ! I have my own brand called Paylien that I make all the designs for – the designing is such a great form of expression that I’ve fallen in love with ! It’s just getting started, but find it on Instagram @paylien_.”

Wow, that’s great. Paylien is brilliant. We’d love to know who you’d love to collaborate with? Or other artists/producers/directors that inspire the world of Payday?

“I absolutely love Charli XcX !!!  She’s definitely a big inspiration of mine and I’d love to make music with her. I also really like 070 Shake ! Those are two beautiful voices that I’d love to get creative with.” 

Hell yeah, those are two of our favourite artists right now. What’s next?

“What’s next is I’m taking over the world!!! Mwuahahah. But seriously I am constantly scheming and thinking of what comes next, but if I told you I’d have to kill you.”

Any plans to come to Australia? :)

I need to get to Australia ASAP!! Book me on the next flight and I’m down!!”

Listen to Trip To Venus HERE.

@everyonelovespayday

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