At the age of 17 during her senior year of high school BATYA started writing bits and pieces of songs as she joined the songwriting class. It wasn’t until April 2015, that she wrote her first full song from beginning to end titled ‘New‘. At around that same time she knew exactly what she needed to do. She needed to write and record either a full length album or an EP.
She also knew she wanted a more experienced songwriter to get on board with her which was when she found singer/songwriter Bobby Long who was interested in her project. The two wrote a lot of songs together but it was one song in particular that made her feel very confident that this is what she’s meant to be doing.
In this interview, we chat with BATYA about her influences, her new release, and more. Links and a stream of her new single below.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
My producer Jase Blankfort had a vision for my “lush angelic voice” and I knew that I should trust him which I’m glad I did because shortly after I felt confident in the sound we had been creating which we call Dream Pop.
Tell us about your story, and how you began writing music?
I didn’t have many people to turn to growing up so instead I chose to turn to music. I would listen to songs that made me realize I wasn’t the only one going through what I was at the time. I was 10 when I knew I wanted to write songs about things that matter and might make a difference in someone else’s life. I was too afraid of actually doing anything about it though so I never did.. until now.
I grew up with three older brothers and one older sister whom I became close with at the age of 13. My sophomore year of high school my sister, Talia bought me my first guitar which was when I started teaching myself as like a secret hobby. About a year later my sister sadly passed away and I chose to take every lesson I could from this pain instead of letting it drag me down. Life is too short for us to fear the things we want to do so I decided not too be afraid anymore. My senior year of high school I joined a songwriting class and started writing bits and pieces of songs it wasn’t until April 2015, when I wrote my first full-length song. At that time I knew I wanted to write and record either a full album or an EP. I found singer/songwriter Bobby Long who seemed interested in my project and we began writing. We wrote this one song titled “I’ll See Him Soon” which was about my brother who struggled with drug addiction for most of my life. Writing this made me feel very confident that I was doing what I was supposed to be and I loved the song so I turned to a friend Anders Fleming, who helped me record this in his living room. He then brought the track to his bandmate Jase Blankfort (producer/Glint) who immediately had a vision for my voice. Jase brought his long time collaborator Jordan Lehning (Producer) on board and I was alongside the two of them writing and recording my album by spring.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
I have been creating for a little over a year now and will be sharing with the public for the first time this summer.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
My experiences really are what influenced me over the years to write. I am not a very expressive person without my music so writing is my way of sharing my stories and expressing things I’ve felt. It’s that pain that I and most people carry inside that I let motivate me everyday to be a better artist but also a better person.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
This album is my first project and the accomplishment was to really find my voice, sound and say the things I’ve been wanting to say.
What was the last song you listened to?
Cold Water by Major Lazer & Justin Bieber
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
CD’s
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I love Apple Music it has every song and you can just download them all right to your music on your phone. It just feels so convenient and easy but in all fairness I also haven’t actually tried anything else.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
I haven’t released anything yet but when I do I am sure that it will be challenging to attract listeners especially being a new artist.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
This summer I did a lot of performing in NYC/Brooklyn areas which is where people are most likely to catch me live for now.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
I would say to contact me probably through Instagram or my Facebook page and to discover more music definitely check out my website where I’ll have some songs up in the near future but also where I update people on what I’m up to.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
First, keep an eye out for new music from me! The new album is almost ready, and we will be releasing some music soon!
We all can achieve as much as we allow ourselves to if enough hard work is being put in and that things won’t happen over night it’s always a process no matter what your passion is and I think reminding ourselves that every day is important.
I’ll also be performing Tuesday August 9th at The Way Station in Brooklyn at 9pm and Friday, August 19th at The Bitter End in New York City at 7pm!
