Chatting with Groupthink
Interview by Lucy Ivey
Photos by Sophie Gurwitz
Styled by Jules Wettreich
Tell us about yourself!
Groupthink is a band I created to be larger than life and make real the things I want to see and hear in the world. I love creating regardless of medium, be it music, videos, or clothes, creation is the core of who I am as a person. In turn, I created Groupthink.
When and why did you start creating your music?
Before music I did poetry, that was like in high school. I was trying to turn those words into music and when I couldn't find a collaborator to help me translate those emotions I started teaching myself.
Were you interested in music as a kid?
I was interested in everything as a kid. I was so particular about clothes I thought I was going to be a designer. Musically, I used to pretend I was writing raps for T.I. and shit like that.
What are your biggest musical influences?
I would say I’m influenced most by the music I hear in the world around me, that I hear through culture. I just got Spotify a couple months ago. I'm not a big curator really. I'm never on the aux lol. I just get exposed to a lot based on the world I live in. That being said, I'm on a huge indie kick right now. Jai Paul, Jonny Pierce, Bloc Party, Santigold, Crim3s etc. All the legends of the craft, way too many to name but that’s what I've been hearing a lot of in my world.
What's your songwriting process like?
I just be vibing for real. Honestly though hahaha. It never stops for me. I'm always writing. I write from life, so I always have to be living as well. I'm taking notes of things such as sounds and emotions that feel proper and poetic, so when I sit at an instrument, it just all comes out immediately. I don't think about it that much or I'll start forcing it.
You’ve recently been working with KennyHoopla, what has that experience been like?
Me and Kenny have been close since before he made music. He's an amazing photographer. Not many people know that about him. It's been the shit we've made when we’re having tons of fun that makes the music effortless. Love that dude endlessly.
If you could give your younger self some advice what would it be?
Stop trying too hard to be normal and grow your hair out.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
As one of the legends for sure. I'll have a couple more tattoos and a dog by then. Maybe a cooler car and just be touching all the music I think is sick.
