In conversation with .. 5!

How different was it to create your second album?
It was way better! I think I was more scared of releasing my first album because I didn’t
really have a day job and I was afraid people weren’t going to like it. But now that people
pay attention to me [chuckles], it’s like I’m releasing something and something instead of
something and then nothing. So it just made me more comfortable, like making stuff.
Personally, how did your first record change you? Pretty much overnight you had all
these huge music names like Ryan Adams and John Mayer tweeting about you and
saying you would be the next big thing - which happened...
I don’t know! It was awesome. I mean, it has weirdly cured -- I mean, not weirdly, it
totally cured a big portion of my depression, feeling alone or whatever. It’s cool to
release something that people understand. It’s there. It’s like the ultimate reward. I
mean, it’s hard, it’s hard to believe. And I’m super grateful and can’t believe it every day.
But it’s also... It’s great! I’m like, fuck yeah, now I have this kind of job security where
at least people will give a shit about what I do for a long time. You know, it feels good. It
feels like - I don’t know. I like releasing music to actual people!
Did you feel any pressure releasing the second album after such an amazing
response?
I felt way more pressure with the first album because I was unsigned when I made it and
then Dead Oceans bought it. This time I have this huge support system. And I think I
know what kind of music I like to make now.
I’d like to talk about the visuals of your music videos because I think they’re quite
unique and they relate to the songs quite well. Is that something that you come up
with or...?
Well, my little brother makes music videos. He’s made two videos for me now, they are
kind of similar in vibe... I don’t really come up with stuff. I kind of lean into other people
to make cool stuff for me. I’m very opinionated. Once I’ve seen it, I have a lot of input,
but I don’t make videos myself. So yeah, I kind of look for cool artists, another cool thing
about L.A... Like Nina [Ljeti] who did the Kyoto video. She’s a mutual friend and I knew
she made cool videos. You know you don’t have to look super hard.
Any other names that you’d like to work with? Visually speaking?
Hmmm. I want Phoebe Waller-Bridge to make a music video for me. I think that would
be funny.
Last thing about this thing that we’re all living right now. What have you been
listening to?
I actually made a Spotify playlist, that -- if I may flatter myself -- is very good. It’s
called ‘Catch Me Inside’. It’s everything that I’m listening to. I’m finishing this Brainiac
documentary and really loving that. And I watch some of the Ken Burns country music
things. I’ve been listening to stuff I haven’t listened to in a long time like Elliott Smith.
It’s all on the playlist. This band Clinic I’ve been really liking... And then I also just love
podcasts. ‘My Favorite Murder’ is my favorite podcast, ‘Reply All’ has some really good
stuff, ‘This American Life’...
Do you like making playlists?
I do, it’s always been one of my favorite things.
Yeah, it’s very therapeutic.
Totally, you kind of check out, you’re not thinking about other stuff.
Anything else that you’d like to add about the record or a future tour?
I’m trying to get creative. I would say probably most of the stuff I will do for a long time
is going to be online. So I guess just stay tuned! Maybe I’ll start doing more online shows
and see what I can think of to get people excited. I want any more stuff like that. It’s a
cool tool.
Punisher, Phoebe Bridger’s second album, was released by Dead Oceans on June
19th and is available for streaming here.
Follow Phoebe Bridgers @_fake_nudes_
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