Q: I love your storytelling in “All This to Say.” What was your creative process in making this song?
Blair West: Thank you! I always knew I wanted to write a love letter to my relationship, expressing the relief and joy that comes with being truly accepted by a partner — about the peace that comes with real love. But sometimes expressing the most simple sentiments, such as ‘I love you’ can be the hardest — it always sounds cliche, or indulgent, or obsequious. For ‘All this to Say, ’I started free-writing this love letter and, very unusually, the song and melody came out very naturally and quickly. I recorded the vocals and guitar with the very talented Jake Libassi of Shifted Recording in Brooklyn, who added some amazing synths and percussion. The song took only a few hours to record and master, and I was really happy with the end result.
Q: Did any real-life events occur in your life that inspired “All This to Say?”
West: If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that there is no place to hide the dark parts of oneself from your significant other. And Ben (my fiancée) lets me be the most ‘me’ I can possibly be. In this way, it’s a little polaroid snapshot of our life together in the pandemic, and seeing each other “in the light and in the dark.” It was important to me that this song resonate with other people, but also include specific little details of my everyday life, like “that 1950s heater stops and starts.”
Q: Was there a pivotal moment in your life when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
West: I dabbled in pursuing music professionally throughout my early adult life, but it wasn’t until several years after college that I realized there was no passion stronger than my passion for music. It was an intense calling that I couldn’t ignore anymore. I realized I had nothing to lose by trying, but would always regret not putting myself out there, for fear of what other people would think. And I finally decided to “go for it.”
Q: I absolutely love your smooth yet rich vocal style. Who are your biggest influences?
West: Thank you! I love the beauty and free-spiritedness in Joni Mitchell’s voice. I also appreciate vocals that sound real and authentic, not as if the singer is trying to put on a sophisticated or different tone that what naturally comes out. Kacey Musgraces is another influence – listening to her voice, you really trust her; it sounds like she really wants to tell you something.
Q: What is coming up next for you?
West: I’m excited to release several more songs in my debut EP, and I’m currently on a mini-tour in NYC and Baltimore promoting the first single. I’m also working on a music video for ‘All this to Say,’ out later this month!
Q: What would you like to tell your supporters out there?
West: Thank you SO MUCH for supporting me, and let’s stay in touch!
Interviewed by Katrina Yang
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