Bluhm On the Making Of “I’m Not Okay”
What was the creative process like for this particular single "I’m Not Okay?”
Creatively, this song was born from a few chords strummed on a guitar by John that I (Claire) just couldn't get out of my head. We sat down together and I started singing and the words just poured out of me. We had most of the song written in under an hour and then John got to work producing the track while I focused on perfecting the vocals. It really came together quickly and I think we knew we had something that felt special to us right away.
Could you discuss the lyrical themes or messages conveyed in this release?
The song is about obsession in relationships and how strong feelings and emotions can take a toll on your mental health when the only thing we are focused on is love or losing love. I think sometimes we can completely lose track of ourselves and who we really are when we are in these kind of obsessive moments and this song is a representation of that emotion and those raw feelings.
How has the audience response been to this song during live shows?
This song is so new that we haven't yet had a chance to play it live but we are really excited to share this one with our fans. I'm really looking forward to getting into these emotions and performing this song and all the others off our upcoming album. We've been totally focused on completing our debut album so we haven't had much time to play shows lately.
Are there any upcoming projects or releases that you are particularly excited about?
We are releasing the music video for this track in the next 2 weeks and we'll be releasing our debut album at the end of August. We're also really looking forward to playing the Kalamashoegazer festival on October 14th in Kalamazoo. Michigan.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
John Marion’s love for music began at an early age, and he has been focused on music and improving his craft for most of his life. He grew up listening to an eclectic mix of artists including Cat Stevens, Elliot Smith, Pavement, but it was the music of John Lennon and the Beatles that influenced him more than anything else. The Beatle's innovative approach to music and their ability to connect with listeners on a deep level inspired John to pursue a career in music. He spent several years traveling and performing in a variety of venues, writing and producing music with several other projects, before finally meeting his musical and life partner, Claire.
Claire, on the other hand, honed her songwriting skills while she was also professionally studying marriage and relationship therapy. She spent several years performing songs she wrote at local open mics before meeting John at an open mic in 2021. Upon meeting, the two were instantly fans of one another and knew they had to start working on a musical project together. Her unique vocal style is characterized by a dreamy quality that perfectly complements the band's lush, atmospheric soundscapes. She has been compared to artists like Dolores O'Riordan, Mazzy Star, and Victoria Legrand.
