Feature: Her Motives Are Silent Decodes ‘Running’
What was the creative process like for this particular EP?
This EP was designed to showcase the song "Running", which is an introspective song about facing fears and processing the feeling of anxiety. It challenges the listener to question what they are running from as it leads them towards a resolution. I did alternate versions of the same song to try and reach a broader audience. As my music is more cinematic and experimental in nature, I thought it would be a good idea to have a radio edit, a remix, and instrumental options to help appeal to more audiences.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for 'Running?'
I wrote, produced, performed, and recorded the song myself. And I also did the remix myself too. The song originated from a simple melody and chord progression I wrote on a Rhodes Piano (you can still hear that layer in the final track). At first, I didn't know what the song was going to become or what the lyrics would be. I had it on the shelf for a while. I later revisited this song and added some guitar layers to it and that gave it a whole new life. I added some delay effects to the guitars which gave it a more post-rock, psychedelic, new wave feel. The echoing guitar notes made me feel this sense of momentum. Like running in slow motion. Like when you can't run in a nightmare and feel like you're moving in reverse. And the lyrics just came to me out of that imagery. So it definitely was an interesting process to tap into the themes of the lyrics and explore darker soundscapes. I intentionally made the song feel pensive and dark. I intentionally made the tempo gradually speed up as I sang the line "I'm running out of time". I made the atmosphere of the song play against the lyrics. The various distorted vocals that come in and out of the song represent the distorted thoughts and inner dialogue many people have to tune out when they are dealing with anxiety. I also wanted to make sure the song had a resolution, so I added the outro to give the listener (and myself) a reminder that there are solutions and ways to overcome these feelings.
Which track do you like the best and why?
I think it's a tie between the original track and the remix. The remix gives the song some levity. I joked with my Instagram followers that despite this song being about processing trauma, fear, and anxiety, that it's ok for them to vibe to it. That they can dance if they want to. But the original track is very meaningful to me. "Running" is the first song that I have released from my upcoming debut album, "Love Muse" and is just a taste of what is to come.
How do you balance incorporating new trends while maintaining a unique and timeless production style?
I don't think I really ever cared about trends. I'm a very nostalgic person. I picture a lot of my music as a score to be played over retro black and white horror movies or French film noir. I also have an affinity for music from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Especially the genre bending era of the late 90s. My approach to production (and songwriting) is to always just do what is best for the song. I try to let the song guide me or inform me of what it wants to do, whether or not it's conventional. A lot of my songs take weird left turns and I'm ok with it. I find that to be more interesting and dynamic than looping 8 bars for 3 minutes. My intent isn't really to go viral or to be a trendy artist, I simply want to help people FEEL and HEAL. That's what I hope I am able to achieve. Most of my favourite artists were the ones breaking the rules and doing their own thing. However, I am still always interested in discovering new production techniques or new tools that can help me capture the sounds I hear in my head. For me, what makes music timeless is how it makes people feel. It's the tones, the lyrics, and the intent. But what makes a song "memorable" is the melody. I always try to find a simple melodic hook to build on.
Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you get into the right mindset for composing?
I probably should. I'm always listening to music or watching films. So I believe doing that constantly informs me and educates me about composing music. I think I just have had to wait for inspiration to strike. I had to learn that I can't force productivity when the objective is creativity. Sometimes the best thing I can do for a song, is NOT work on it. To be self-aware enough to know that it would be better to work on something else until I have that vision for the song. Then I can come back to the song when I find the inspiration or tap into that flow state. I have ADHD, so it's easy for me to get distracted. So I need to be really intentional about my process. But I think that applies to all artists. I feel like there's a lot of noise we have to tune out. Everything demands our attention or can discourage us along the way. Our devices. Our own thoughts/fears. Imposter Syndrome. Trauma. External opinions. Criticisms. There's so much we have to tune out in order to find that spark within us and let "it" drive. The biggest challenge is just knowing what to do. The secret is that NO ONE really does. Artists just kind of have to play, experiment, fail, try again, fail again, keep trying, and continue this grueling process over and over until they either give up or find what they were hoping to achieve. I heard that art is never truly finished, only abandoned. So there is a point where you have to let go and just let it exist in the world. A song can't be heard on your hard drive. You have to literally and figuratively "release" it. What I'm learning now is the only way to release music is to surrender and give up that perfectionist mentality. Let it have flaws. Let it have vulnerability. Perfection is a myth. As the last line of "Running" states: Surrender and you will be free.