In this interview spotlight, I catch with up with Genevieve Sovereign to discuss the latest music, dream collabs, choosing a favorite song, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Are you able to choose a favorite song of all time? Or would you label this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?
Definitely an impossible task, trying to pick my all-time favourite song! In the current moment, these beautiful three are first to enter my mind…
Chicane “Saltwater” – https://youtu.be/uTJtfytoYy4 (Another classic of my youth combining two of my earliest musical loves, Electronic music and Celtic music, with Chicane’s guest vocalist here being the legendary Moya Brennan of Clannad! A more gorgeous fusion of sounds I can’t imagine…)
Ivana Santilli “Sun + Moon = Tomorrow” – https://youtu.be/hQRuVN0H8dM (Brilliant song and music video both – so representative of my youth spent in Ontario, Canada too. I’d love to record a cover of this someday!)
Chino Saturn “Quad Horizon” – https://youtu.be/RDl_0P89Gh0 (Specifically this acoustic version which seems available only on YouTube sadly – there was just something profoundly magical about this live session take that spoke to me in exactly the right moment and mindframe, almost single-handedly inspiring me to start creating my own music TBH!)
What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
My newest single “Present Dreams” (https://emubands.ffm.to/presentdreams) is the third in an ongoing series of EDM / dream pop singles I’ve co-created with fellow Australian, composer-producer Ben Tenison… And now excitingly adding a new team member also, seasoned multi-genre mix engineer Dee Cowan, who has done a superb job applying his expertise to make this latest offering truly special.
As my first set of “official” collaborations, getting to release this entire series with Ben has been very exciting for me – and I think is a testament to our combined enthusiasm, determination and momentum-generating abilities! “Present Dreams” follows tight on the heels of our first two collab tracks “Vibration Angle” (released 11 November 2022, https://emubands.ffm.to/vibrationangle) and “Life Soaked Reveal” (released 25 December 2022, https://emubands.ffm.to/lifesoakedreveal). Both of those singles enjoyed generous coverage levels across the blogosphere, social media and internet radio – as well as community radio airplay here in Australia. That degree of engagement has seriously stoked my fires to continue growing and exploring this space!
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
For me, it’s all about communicating a vital message that seeks to be expressed (as per https://www.genevievesovereign.com/services). That’s the only way I can describe how it feels: A deep-down impetus that will always keep me going, no matter how or when or where. Across every expressive form I’ve explored over the years – be it in visuals arts or writing or movement or music – my drive to create is fueled by perceiving a core idea / concept / message that seeks exploration and expression into the world.
I feel like my job as an artist is therefore to undertake that manifestation in the most efficacious way(s) I’m able… Howsoever that may look for a specific context, medium or audience. This is also why I’m continually trying to grow and refine my skills – to be an increasingly effective channel for worthwhile concepts to be expressed!
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
This is a fantastic question which actually brought a lot to the surface for me. So first of all, thank you for that! My truest, most heartfelt answer was instantaneous in surfacing but is weirdly challenging to share here, for various reasons.
If I could collaborate with anyone at all ever, my deepest wish would be to co-create with Australian artists Joshua Potter and Jayden McGrath. They’ve shared a number of projects together over the years, from what I understand, and one that I particularly enjoyed was their Bloc-Chain (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZruYEqH8k1gCNFlVP8tyi) work a few years ago. Jayden is also the vocalist in that Chino Saturn video referred / linked to in the very first question of this interview – which as mentioned there, was fundamental in my even entertaining the idea that I could start creating music myself. And Josh has been incredibly kind and encouraging throughout my entire music-exploration journey. I am profoundly grateful to them both for the ways in which they’ve influenced and nurtured this life path I’m now on… Namaste, brothers. <3
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
I’m constantly absorbed with music, so I’ve got no idea what I last listened to! Unsurprisingly too, I’ve got innumerable favourite artists … In the painting realm, Dalí would sweep the podium but musically, brilliant artists who presently spring to mind include: Dandelion Wine, Björk, iamamiwhoami / ionnalee, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS), Geamala, MXMars, Rüfüs Du Sol, Sa Dingding, The Knife / Fever Ray, Enigma, Enya, Valicension, Car Machines, Joshua Potter & Jayden McGrath, Carbon Based Lifeforms, A.L.I.S.O.N, Jonn Serrie, Massive Attack, Sneaker Pimps, Wax Poetic… And countless others really!
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
First plug here’s gotta be for ze shiny new release “Present Dreams (feat. Ben Tenison)” which I encourage everyone to check out, of course! Available from Friday 28 April 2023 on my Bandcamp page, as well as through all music streaming and download service platforms per presave / smart link below…
BANDCAMP PAGE – https://genevievesovereign.bandcamp.com
PRESAVE / SMART LINK – https://emubands.ffm.to/presentdreams
Beyond that, my website is always a great destination for current news and updates…
WEBSITE – www.genevievesovereign.com
I’d additionally love to connect with folks on any socials, etc platforms we may have in common, as per…
PLATFORMS – linktr.ee/genevievesovereign
Please do chuck me a follow on your various platforms if able all, as that sort of thing really helps artists get noticed by algorithms – and also helps EVERYONE become increasingly connected with material and people sharing similar vibes!
I appreciate Your time. Want to say or plug any other projects before we part ways?
Thanks so much for having me, it’s been a pleasure to share what I have with you! And I appreciate your time too – as mentioned in our last interview together, I’m deeply grateful for the work you do at Indie Music Discovery which has undoubtedly helped countless artists and listeners throughout the many years you’ve been around. Massive thank-you to the entire IMD team!
In terms of next projects, I’m excited to share that following “Present Dreams” release into the world, I’ll be shifting focus to one of my own solo creations: An electronic-acoustic hybrid track called “Midday Blue” which was incidentally one of the first songs I ever started writing, and has been marinating in my brain for ages. It’s currently in the process of being mixed by Dee also incidentally, and features guest performances from amongst my nearest and dearest Melbourne-based collaborators! Watch this space… 🙂
