Exclusive Interview With Michelle Cameron
We chatted with Michelle about the inspiration for her first release, her influences, and as a woman and LGBTQ+ artist, what she thinks about the music industry.
1. "Deal Breaker" is such a raw and personal debut release. Can you take us back to when you first started writing it--what was the inspiration that made you take that personal experience and turn it into a song?
Well, maybe a month before writing the song, I read Andrea Stolpe’s blog ‘How to Write From The Title’ (she’s a great songwriting educator, and I enjoy learning from her). I began writing down some title ideas to play around with, but I didn't actually use any of them until a few weeks later. I had just gone through a breakup with a long-term partner, and in conversation with people around me, the word deal breaker kept popping up. I couldn’t get the phrase out of my head, so I thought I’d take it down as the title of a song and see what I can come up with. Emotions were still high at this point, so writing about my thoughts and expressing my feelings came naturally. I had one of those writing sessions that flowed effortlessly, and Deal Breaker was written within a few hours.
2. You've talked about writing the song as a means of healing from heartbreak. How does your creative process generally work--are you starting with lyrics, melodies, or is it different every time depending on what emotion you're trying to work through?
It can be different depending on what comes to me first. Sometimes I sit with my guitar and play until I find something that sparks inspiration, and other times I will have a specific situation I want to write about with some lyric ideas. The more specific the song idea, the easier it is to write. Most often, drawing from personal experience and the emotions tied to that experience inspires the chords I gravitate towards, the chords inspire the melody, and the melody inspires the lyrics. They all work together in the moment, so sometimes it can be hard to know what comes first. Deal Breaker began with a title and a specific situation I wanted to write about, so sometimes I will try new techniques to help my process.
3. Your music draws inspiration from the likes of Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, and Jensen McRae, but your tone is distinctively yours. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your approach to songwriting?
3. Your music draws inspiration from the likes of Lizzy McAlpine, Phoebe Bridgers, and Jensen McRae, but your tone is distinctively yours. Who are your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your approach to songwriting?
My biggest influences are a blend of artists from different genres. For example, I love Novo Amor’s music. I think the instrumentation and textures he uses are so beautiful, and I try to incorporate some of those textural sounds in my own music. I also love when singer-songwriters incorporate string instruments into their music, especially the cello, because it adds so much emotion. I draw from artists who write about mental health, such as Anna Clendening. I think themes of mental health can be seen in a lot of her lyric writing, and that’s something I resonate with in my own.
I’m inspired by some country artists such as Avery Anna, Kelsea Ballerini, and Haley Joelle. The themes, emotions, and writing styles of these artists are similar to my own, particularly Kelsea Ballerini. And, the moodiness of the band Daughter, and artists such as Katie Garfield and Mike Kota, have definitely influenced songs I’ve been writing recently. I’d say my tone, songwriting, and production choices have been the result of blending these influences together.
4. Before "Deal Breaker," where did your musical experience begin? Was there a situation or event that led you to realize this was the career you were born to have?
4. Before "Deal Breaker," where did your musical experience begin? Was there a situation or event that led you to realize this was the career you were born to have?
When I first started writing music, I realised it was something I loved to do and found it therapeutic, but I didn't actually believe this would be a possible career path for me until I wrote a song called Look At Me. It was the first song I wrote that gave me some confidence in my writing abilities and made me realise that I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. Another moment that really solidified it for me was attending a songwriting residency with other students from UHI. Being in that environment around other songwriters and sound engineers who share my passion for writing and producing music was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had.
5. The co-production on this track brought in efforts from Ian Schouten, Kimberley Miller, and Melissa Thomson. How did allowing other musicians to contribute affect the overall sound of the final song?
Collaboration has been a big part of this project. Ian and I have put a lot of time and energy into this song. He has been an amazing collaborator throughout the entire process, and he’s also a brilliant musician. He played acoustic guitar and used an e-bow to create textural swells throughout the track. So I would say his contributions had a significant impact on the sound of the finished song. Before bringing Kim in to play cello, we hit a creative stump, but once we tracked the cello, I felt excited about the project again.
Kim added so much emotion, and it was like finding the missing piece of a puzzle. It’s always a joy to work with her; she’s someone I have collaborated with several times in the past, and I expect to continue collaborating with her on future projects. We had MIDI drums in the track previously, but I wanted to capture real instrumentation throughout the song, so we brought Mel in to track Drums. It was the final step in completing the song. I think she really brought the track to life, and I’m so glad we decided to bring her on the project.
6. Being a woman in the music industry, how do you see the role of women evolving--especially in genre like alt-pop where transparency and storytelling are so dominant?
6. Being a woman in the music industry, how do you see the role of women evolving--especially in genre like alt-pop where transparency and storytelling are so dominant?
I think it’s great to see more women entering the music industry. Women have this cool ability to create a sense of community for themselves and others. Many female-run businesses and organisations are providing amazing opportunities and support to women in music. I think that trajectory can only keep going upwards, and I’m looking forward to seeing it develop more. I also think women are reclaiming power and independence in their artistry. Female artists are writing about the complexities of their experiences, whether that be about sexual empowerment, mental health, heartbreak, trauma, queerness, or even writing about some of the sexism and violence we face as women. I think our voices will continue to evolve in art as we express ourselves and allow listeners into our thoughts, perspectives, and experiences.
7. Being an LGBTQ+ artist recording such a personal song, do you believe your identity plays a role in how you compose or engage with audiences?
7. Being an LGBTQ+ artist recording such a personal song, do you believe your identity plays a role in how you compose or engage with audiences?
I think my queerness is more of an undertone in my writing. I usually write using first person, so I think it comes through in my perspective rather than being explicitly stated that I’m writing about another woman, for example. At the same time, I don’t adhere to societal norms because of my queerness, and I also believe gender is a spectrum. I find the rigid expectations of what it means to be “feminine” or “masculine” are more harmful than helpful, so I’m sure aspects of my music will reflect that flexibility.
I think when it comes to engaging with audiences, I’m really just being myself. My queerness is just one aspect of who I am, and for me, my music reflects many parts of my identity. Of course, I do sometimes worry about how I’ll be received because homophobia is still a reality, but at the end of the day, I can’t control that. I am who I am, and I’m not going to hide any part of myself. What matters most to me is that my music feels authentic and honest, and if my queerness helps LGBTQ+ listeners feel seen in my songs, then I think that’s amazing.
8. Now that "Deal Breaker" is out in the world, what do you hope listeners take away from it--and where do you go from here as an artist?
8. Now that "Deal Breaker" is out in the world, what do you hope listeners take away from it--and where do you go from here as an artist?
Listen to the gems of Women in Pop #curatedbypowhersound
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