If you’ve even cursorily scrolled TikTok over the previous few months, odds are you’ve come throughout “If I Were A Fish.” Nashville-based singer-songwriter Corinne Savage (professionally often called Corook) wrote the viral tune’s refrain with their girlfriend, fellow musician Olivia Barton, after a sequence of hate feedback left Corook in tears. Barton’s retort? Shrug off outdoors critics and spend 10 minutes arising with the weirdest tune they probably may.
The tune’s ensuing refrain is an infectiously joyous, Moldy Peaches-esque ditty that wouldn’t be misplaced on a 2000s indie charmer’s soundtrack. With over 8 million streams on Spotify, “If I Were A Fish” marks an thrilling milestone within the 28-year-old’s burgeoning profession. Their newest EP, Serious Person, is named for their 2022 single of the identical title.
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“Nobody really talks about this time period of feeling like you’re a kid but expected to be an adult,” Corook says. “I am able to take care of myself, but I’m still such a kid at heart, and I think that shows in a lot of my music.”
Ahead of Serious Person’s launch, AP spoke to the rising star about their inspirations, their upcoming solo headlining exhibits, and why they’re not concerned about writing the identical outdated love songs.
How did you determine to include “Serious Person” not just as a tune, however because the title of this EP?
That tune seems like a lot of what I’ve been making an attempt to speak about, which is how bizarre I really feel that I’m an grownup, that I’ve to pay payments, and that I’ve to handle myself. Serious Person felt like the precise proper title. It’s a bit bit sarcastic as a result of I’m clearly not a really critical particular person. I’m able to handle myself, however I’m just such a child at coronary heart, and I believe that exhibits in loads of my music and shit. I grew up watching MTV, the place your 20s had been romanticized. You had been on a actuality TV present, and also you lived [in] a home with your pals on the seashore. That was your complete concept of my 20s that I had. I’ve but to go to a seashore home with my buddies, so it’s been complicated. [Laughs.]
What artists have helped affect your sound?
I’ve tried to hearken to extra critical artists and critical music whereas nonetheless maintaining my voice. I’ve been listening to loads of Dolly Parton. Her capacity to inform a narrative about one thing actually heartbreaking, however it sounding fluttery and lightweight has been actually inspiring for me. Like, “Jolene” goes arduous. That’s a unhappy tune. I just love storytelling, and I needed that to be on the forefront of this album and this EP.
How would you outline a critical artist?
I’m making enjoyable of the phrase “serious” by saying that. I believe that loads of critical artists these days are folks that don’t take themselves so severely. I might reference Tyler, the Creator and [Tierra] Whack. They’re so themselves. I might name them critical artists. But once I’m speaking about that in that panorama of inspiring the intense facet of the album, I might say extra critical songwriters like Sara Bareilles or Dolly Parton or Billy Joel. That sort of world the place you consider a singer-songwriter, and also you’re like, “They’ve painted a world.”
How has your relationship with social media modified given the viral success of “If I Were A Fish” and “It’s OK”?
I believe these days, it’s important to be on social media with a purpose to get your stuff heard. [It’s] fantastic in some methods, primarily based on the sheer quantity of individuals you’re capable of attain, and should you’re put into the suitable pages, the group you’re capable of construct is actually candy and fantastic.
That’s one thing I realized from “If I Were A Fish.” The sheer quantity of form, candy, therapeutic individuals was actually cool for me to see. It’s been actually fantastic operating into folks that this tune has touched. I’m within the neighborhood of folks that really feel equally to me, which have felt misplaced, and are doing the work to heal themselves and settle for themselves.
Obviously, with the quantity of excellent feedback going up, the unhealthy feedback go up as nicely. That’s positively one thing I haven’t gotten used to just but. I just lately started a Discord group, which has been fantastic. It’s a small group of folks that wanna discuss music and like what I’m doing. I’ve guidelines round it, and I’m capable of just specific myself in a means that I’m not capable of so publicly on Instagram or TikTok.
The heat of songs like “If I Were A Fish” and your “adult lullaby” “It’s OK!” convey the concept of therapeutic your interior baby to thoughts for me. Is that in your thoughts if you’re making music?
Yes. I personally do loads of interior baby work inside remedy, so fascinated with youthful variations of myself is one thing that occurs fairly usually. I believe that fascinated with our youthful selves is actually vital, just as a result of they’re what made us who we’re right this moment, you recognize? It’s vital for me to honor that little child who perhaps didn’t get precisely what they wanted. And I take into consideration that quite a bit with what I’m doing on social media, what I’m doing as an artist. Just making an attempt to be what I wanted as a child.
I liked the tune “Natalie” particularly and the way it evokes having a candy childhood homosexual crush, at an age the place so many people didn’t know queer pleasure existed.
While it is perhaps a lighter subject, it feels so susceptible to jot down about that point in my life, once I was that younger and knew I used to be totally different, and so badly needed to have the ability to sing a tune like “Natalie” in second grade, to the lady that I preferred. It feels nearly like I’m getting to redo it, redo that point in my life, as a result of again then, I used to be within the closet. Now I’m not, and I get to precise what I used to be feeling.
Tracks like “CGI” and bits of “Serious Person” contact on being in a relationship for some time, which is usually glossed over in love songs. Why was that vital to incorporate?
When I take into consideration love songs, I’m usually very underwhelmed by love songs and their repetitiveness, and I believe lots of people can relate to that. I don’t assume there are various love songs about long-term relationships the place I’m not completely married but, and I’m not completely out of the honeymoon section, however I’m additionally actually used to you. And I’m comfy. And I don’t really feel like I’ve to combat for you anymore, however I wish to. It’s 2023. I don’t must say, “I want you forever, baby.” That’s been stated 1,000,000 occasions.
You’re about to headline exhibits for the primary time! What are you able to tease about these performances?
These would be the first exhibits that I’ve performed as Corook solo. I’m not gonna convey my band. It’s just gonna be me and no matter instrument I select to select up. I’m actually nervous as a result of I’m so used to enjoying with my band, and I believe it will likely be actually particular due to that. It’ll be just me with nothing to fall again on. This EP actually makes me really feel a bit extra bare, and so I really feel just like the exhibits round it must really feel that means, too.
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