Olivia Rodrigo in Los Angeles in February 2023.Photo:Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Songwriting is a therapeutic practice forOlivia Rodrigo.
In anew interview withVariety, the 20-year-old Grammy winner opened up about the creation of her sophomore albumGutsand revealed she feels “depressed” when she’s not writing songs daily.
“The experience [of writingGuts] tested my confidence and patience,” Rodrigo told the outlet. “It taught me some important lessons about songwriting in terms of focusing on your craft rather than just waiting for inspiration to strike.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty
The pop star releasedGutsin September, and the record has already spawned two top-10 hits on theBillboardHot 100 with “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” But in order to produce such impactful music, according to Rodrigo, you have to do it for yourself and no one else.
“It taught me about the mindset that is most conducive to writing: You can never sit down at the piano and try to write something that everyone will like; that always results in a really bad song. It taught me that I write songs that I want to hear,” she added ofGuts.
Making the album left Rodrigo with a new goal for practicing her craft: “These days, I try to write one song every day.”
Olivia Rodrigo in Los Angeles in July 2023.Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
“I just feel like myself when I’m writing,” she explained. “If I don’t do it, I get depressed. I’m just writing songs to process what’s going on, whether in my personal life or in my perception of the world.”
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Elsewhere in the interview, Rodrigo spoke about hoping listeners connect with her “honest songwriting.”
Olivia Rodrigo in Las Vegas in April 2022.PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty
“It’s what I’ve gravitated towards my whole life — music that helps you process what you’re feeling or comforts you when you’re feeling these big feelings,” the “Good 4 U” performer said. “It’s just nice to know that someone else is experiencing them. It makes you feel less alone.”
Rodrigo’s approach toGutsis clearly paying off. Earlier this month, she received six nominations for the upcoming 2024 Grammy Awards, including record of the year, song of the year and best pop solo performance for “Vampire,” album of the year and best pop vocal album forGutsas well as best rock song for “Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl.”
source: people.com
