Music Spotlight: TiLLie

We’d like to introduce you to anti-pop artist TiLLie. the la-based singer-songwriter returns with another empowering anthem faith, released january 18, following a handful of tracks about her past relationship. tillie shares the story behind the latest track, and we can definitely say that faith is every bit as badass as she is. + Catch her show at The Echo on March 11.

// photo by Marc Gabor

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your recent release!  Can you tell us about Faith and what it means to you?
Tillie: Thank you! I wrote my new single Faith as a way of transcending a dark chapter of my life. After leaving the abusive relationship detailed in my previous releases, the trauma still haunted me, and at times, justice felt damn near impossible. Faith is not about giving up the plight for justice but remaining confident in the fact that shitty people will eventually show their true colors and bring upon themselves the karma they deserve. I think one of the worst things about being an abuse victim is having people doubt your truth, so this song is for anyone that’s been in the place. It’s sort of one last ‘fuck you’ cathartic dance party.

one of the worst things about being an abuse victim is having people doubt your truth.

AM: For first time listeners, how do you like to describe your sound?
T: I like to think of myself as the baby of Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain with David Byrne being the egg donor. My manager calls it ‘uplifting tunes with a massive middle finger raised’. 

// photo by Marc Gabor

AM: Are there any consistent themes you typically pursue through your music?
T: Totally. Empowerment and redemption, hence the ‘uplifting with a middle finger raised’. Even if the subject changes from song to song, there’s pretty much always an undertone of transcendence. Like this horrible thing happened, or this upset me, or someone tried to put me in this box, but I’m always trying to find the bright side even if that’s like, ‘hey I’m crazy, but I’m not the only one!’.

 It’s one last ‘fuck you’ cathartic dance party.

AM: You’re about to embark on a tour with Cherry Pools in March, what are you most looking forward to about being on the road?
T: I’ve never done a tour this long and have yet to make it to the south and east coast, so I’m really excited about finally getting to those parts of the country. It’s been so cool seeing the fans getting excited, tweeting me pics of the shows in their town, like ‘omg is this actually real?’, and it feels so good to finally be like, ‘hell yeah it is!’.

AM: Where is one place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self and your music?
T: Performing! It’s weird because sometimes when I’m writing or recording, I’m almost like still too in my head—or at least more in my head than I like to be. I care so much about the music and the message, so it can feel like a lot of pressure. But when I’m performing, I feel so at peace, like my body’s just a vessel for the music. It’s so grounding. I have ADHD, but performing is one of the only times I feel completely present in a moment.

AM: What role does Los Angeles play in your work?
T: I love that LA is such a melting pot of cultures. You can hop from neighborhood to neighborhood and have an entirely new experience. I find that really important as a songwriter. If you’re not out there experiencing things, what do you have to write about? Plus, the weather is clutch. I’m prone to seasonal depression, so it’s pretty great living in a place where it’s basically one season all year ‘round. Happy mind = happy creator.

AM: What musicians are currently in your heavy rotation?
T: Bring Me The Horizon’s new record amo, Kacey Musgraves, new Lana del Rey, old Britney Spears, and Eminem.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
T: So much new music. I have an EP coming out very soon. I can’t say the release date yet, but we do have one, and I’m real proud of what’s to come.

// listen to faith:

// Listen to more Tillie on Spotify.