“It’s So Important to Pay Attention to What Scares You"—Lennon Stella's Debut Album Will Give You Goosebumps (the Good Kind)
The singer-songwriter is comfortable in the uncomfortable.
Courtesy of Columbia Records
When Lennon Stella answers my call, her voice is soft and sweet, but from the moment she starts answering my questions, it becomes immediately clear that this talented musician isn’t afraid to push past her comfort zone and enter unchartered territory either.
In fact, what scares her is what drives her. The talented singer-songwriter releases her debut album today—Three. Two. One.—and despite her tour being canceled (thanks to COVID-19), Stella is feeling very optimistic, and despite initial concerns, her fans have rallied around her in support.
If the success of her new song (and accompanying video), Fear of Being Alone is any indication, this album is going to be huge. Read on for our interview with Stella as she opens up to Create & Cultivate about the new album, canceling the tour, a behind-the-scenes look into the filming of Fear of Being Alone, and what she’ll be singing for her exclusive live performance at our Money Moves Digital Summit on May 2, 2020.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: So first off, major congrats on the new album—Three. Two. One. How do you feel?
LENNON STELLA: Putting an album out is like getting to know somebody entirely—you get to know them through the album, as an artist, and as a person. I just wanted it to be telling different stories (in this album) than I had before.
Your U.S. tour was supposed to kick off in May and has been postponed due to the pandemic. What was your initial reaction to the news and what do you have planned for the launch instead?
It was really unfortunate and upsetting, but at the same time, I’m trying to trust in the universe. And honestly, I’m just glad that the music and the album itself can come out.
I was so happy with how the response has been. I think everybody was so scared there would be a big backlash but somehow everyone has been so understanding and completely reassuring that they will be there no matter what month the tour is. It’s really sweet and makes me feel grateful to have such a supportive tribe. It’s really rare to feel no hate and no negativity.
The silver lining in all of this is how much it has forced us to be creative. Your Fear of Being Alone video is a perfect example. Shot in your living room during quarantine with your mom and boyfriend, and friend CeCe who dropped off all the lights. Can you talk us through this video? How did you come up with the concept, what it was like to shoot, and what were some of the biggest challenges?
“My friend, CeCe really understands me and the way I like things. So she came over, and then me, my mom, and my boyfriend were kind of just winging it and getting experimental and creative. We loved the idea of it being at night with the lights on the outside, so there was a shadow from the lights. It all came together as we were doing it—just having fun. We moved everything out of my living room and filmed it all in there.
Honestly, it’s my favorite video that I’ve done so far. It was so fulfilling. When I was thrown in the space to make a video all in one night at home and that we were able to do that was so exciting. I felt so much more love than I’ve ever received from a video. I think it’s because of how it was done. It’s obvious that there weren’t any other people pushing me—it’s very much just me. I think that’s why people were able to connect with it.
“Find the things that intimidate you, and know that’s where you should shoot towards because it scares you for a reason.”
Does this style of self-made video inspire you for the future? Do you think we will see more of creativity in the music space as a result of quarantine?
I want to see now, and moving forward, what happens when I try to brainstorm on my own before I go to other people for their ideas and push myself a lot more creatively. I want to trust myself a lot more and trust my vision.
One thing that has been nice is seeing you film more acoustic videos on YouTube from home. This feels very authentic to where you began. What more can we expect to see from you during quarantine? Has it inspired you to write new songs?
I forgot how great it feels to play guitar and play the piano, and be alone with it for a bit. I don’t give myself that time or carve that out anymore. Being at home has been so nice, I’m doing acoustic versions for all my songs. What people respond to the most is when it’s really just me and the piano or me and the guitar and me not overthinking it. It’s been really nice to have time to do that and just be creative.
In an interview with you for our CC100, you mentioned that your writing process typically involves a session with you and a producer and another writer where you just write about how you’re feeling at that time. Are you still doing that via zoom now? How has quarantine changed your process or enhanced it?
I haven’t been writing because I’ve been busy putting the album out and doing all of the promo that goes along with that. I’m sure that as soon as the album is out in the world though I will immediately go back to writing.
This album proves you have really grown as an artist—you are so expressive in your vocals and the lyrics. How have you cultivated that confidence to be yourself and not be tied down by limitations?
I think it’s so important to pay attention to what scares you and what you’re afraid of and to go for that. Find the things that intimidate you, and know that’s where you should shoot towards because it scares you for a reason. I think it’s about finding something that really rings true to you, that’s deep inside you—you have to trust that and follow that.
This is a particularly hard time for musicians who can’t connect 1:1 with their fans and their music. What advice do you have for your fellow musicians who are going through it right now and how can we, as fans, support them?
It’s been really cool to see the way that we’re all connecting through social media. Because that’s what it’s originally all about. I think we’ve lost our way as far as Instagram goes and getting sucked into the toxic side of it. But ultimately it’s a way to connect and this time has really shown that.
To learn more or to purchase the new album (and exclusive merch!), visit LennonStella.com.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets to the Money Moves Digital Summit to see Lennon Stella perform three acoustic versions of her songs from the new album Three. Two. One.
Visit, createcultivate.com/money-moves-2020
Three. Two. One. Album By Lennon Stella
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Create & Cultivate 100: Music: Lennon Stella
“I think your gut knows best and will lead you to where you’re meant to be.”
Like most of the world, we fell in love with Lennon Stella back in 2012 when she covered Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend” with her sister Maisy Stella. (You probably remember the viral video, which now has over 30 million (!) views.) Luckily for her fans, she quickly landed the role of Maddie Conrad on the hit ABC TV series “Nashville” and her overnight success grew into a lasting career in the music industry.
Fast-forward to 2020, and the 20-year-old singer-songwriter is still one to watch with an empowering EP and a number of singles to her name—not to mention, an upcoming tour on the horizon. Below, we chat with Stella about her meteoric rise to music stardom, including the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way, the person who’s shaped her career the most, and the #1 piece of advice she has for aspiring musicians.
CREATE & CULTIVATE: You launched your career on the hit ABC TV series “Nashville” as Maddie Conrad, alongside your real-life sister Maisy Stella. Can you take us back to that time? What are some of your fondest memories of those early years learning music and finding your voice/style as a musician?
LENNON STELLA: It was a really beautiful way to grow up. The cast and crew are the best people to learn from, both professionally and as humans and it really made me who I am.
You gained national attention when you covered Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend" with your sister and it went viral. You even appeared on “Good Morning America” and now your YouTube channel has millions of views and subscribers. What did that experience teach you? How did you handle the overnight success? How did you turn that virality into longevity and bring those new fans over into your world now as a musician?
I think the most important thing that keeps everybody with me and on the same page as me is to remain honest and true to myself. I think that’s the reason why people have stuck around. Being honest is what I’m going to continue to do, no matter how I evolve and change and an artist throughout my career.
How did you learn how to write music? What does your writing process look like now? Where do you source inspiration? How has your music evolved?
Typically, I’m in a session with one producer and another writer and I just write about however I’m feeling at that time. Or, if I have some concept that I want to write about, I’ll go from there. My music has evolved as I’ve evolved as a human and as I’ve discovered more things about myself. I’ve discovered me as an artist and the music I want to make.
““My love of music, above all, will forever keep me going—whether that means being heard by few or many.””
In an interview earlier this year around the time of the launch of your EP, you spoke about the importance of allowing yourself to grow and refusing to put yourself in a box. How have you grown as an artist/person since that launch in January? How have you cultivated that confidence to be yourself and not be tied down to limitations?
I feel that I’ve grown so much in making the album, writing and touring, and all that I’ve done since the EP release. If I’m being entirely honest, that’s something I’m still learning. I’m still finding the balance of trusting myself and doing what I want, while also respecting the opinion of my team and working together. I think I’m just taking it all as it comes and trying to learn the best I can.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you #FindNewRoads + switch gears to find success?
I think if I were to hit a bump in the road, that would probably also mean that I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing and I’d want to make a change. I think following whatever I’m doing and naturally trusting the changes I want to make will naturally lead to success.
The music industry is historically male-dominated—what has been your experience? Do you see a change coming through? What hopes do you have for the future? What advice can you share for other female musicians coming up behind you?
I definitely see a trend and people talking about the power of women and that they want to have women be seen equally. I think that it’s a very positive thing being apart of the music industry at a time like this where there is so much evolution and growth happening. I’m happy to be a part of it.
Who are the women in the industry that have been mentors and supporters for you? Why? How has this person shaped you and your career?
My sister is a big one. She’s the most authentic and true-to-herself person I've ever met and she always reminds me to stay true and not stray too far away from what I know and love.
What advice can you share for other musicians reading this who are struggling with society’s and the industry's expectations or limitations on them? How can they develop the confidence to be themselves and grow into their own voice?
I think, just in general, if you really believe it with your whole heart, the people listening to you will believe it. If it’s honest, then it will work and people will listen. To find that honesty within yourself and listen to it is the most important thing, everything after that falls into place.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
My love of music above all will forever keep me going—whether that means being heard by few or many.
The filtered world of social media often hides a lot of the hard work and behind-the-scenes hustle. What is the reality of being a famous musician today? What are the key traits required to be a success?
If you look at every true legend or icon, one thing I think they all have in common is their honesty and truth. So, I think that’s the most important thing to practice and the thing that will give you all that you could ever want.
The music industry is fairly cut-throat and competitive, what advice do you have for musicians coming up now? What do you wish you'd known when you were first starting out? Why?
Not everything everyone tells you is true, and, above all, you need to trust yourself and your gut instincts. I think your gut knows best and will lead you where you’re meant to be.
You've achieved so much success since your EP, what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way and what have they taught you?
I’m still learning and I’m open to forever learning. I’m just trying to take everything as it comes and I’m learning to be more trusting in myself and sure of what I want.
“Not everything everyone tells you is true, and, above all, you need to trust yourself and your gut instincts.”
You have had incredible success already, but what does success mean to you? How do you measure success? Why? What characteristics make you successful in the music industry?
I love this question because I think that success really is completely up for interpretation and it’s different for everyone. A failure to someone else may not be a failure to me. In my opinion, if I had a number one song that I didn’t love fully, that would not be a success. To me, truly loving the music I’m making, regardless of the world recognizing it, is the most important thing.
In a saturated industry, what do you think makes you and your music stand out? How can others reading this find/create a unique point of view? How do you stay true to who you are and your voice?
I think the only way to be unique is to be yourself. You’re the only person with the exact opinion and voice and things to say, so that’s the only way to be unique and stand out in life or in the industry.
What is the #1 book you always recommend? What is the #1 album you always recommend? Why?
Astrology for the Soul and The Power of Now. These books really centered me and helped me understand myself and accept myself entirely. “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac. I think this album embodies everything that music should be.