Interview with UFFIE

@uffieufficial

Remember Uffie, electro-pop MC and myspace phenomenon, known for the international underground hit “Pop The Glock”. After the release of her debut album “Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans” in 2010,  Uffie took several years of silent retreat to focus on motherhood and self-care. The artist is finally back with new music. Celebration time! She already started dropping a series of singles from her upcoming Ep; “Drugs”, “Papercuts”, “Sadmoney”. The new material is super fresh and addictive! If you haven’t listened yet, go!

Uffie gave Curated by GIRLS an exclusive interview about her new beginning.

Hi Uffie! What pushed you to come back? did you just feel the urge to create new songs?
I missed music, of course… that never goes away! Balancing a family life as an artist can be hard… now that my children are not babies anymore it’s a lot easier, and I feel at a place I can give my work and my family the time they need.  As for these particular songs, I have something I want to share through them, so I knew it was time.

Were you anxious about releasing new material?
Yes and no.  Putting yourself out there means putting yourself at risk for being judged and all that, but there is also an absolute freedom and pride to being true to yourself and your sound, that makes it exciting.

“Women need a platform to share their experiences if that is what will help them to heal and move forward.”

Can you tell us a bit more about the record: Who was involved in the process and how did you work in the studio?
I love studio, and we had a lot of fun bringing these songs to life. I worked on it with some very talented artists… mainly: Ammar Malik, Imad Royal, Isaac Valens, David Lubben and Kevin Snevely.

Are you more of an improviser or more methodic when you create?
I like to keep a list of words or phrases that really strike me or I think just sound super dope.  My sessions usually start with me pulling a concept or phrase that I am feeling in the moment, or from my list…  and the song just organically develops from there.

Lyrically speaking we can sense that you are very honest, raw, and going deep into the emotions of life, the pain, the happiness. What inspired you for this record?
It’s funny because as emo as I can get on this EP, I had a really wonderful time making it.  A lot of the record is about heart break.  I was going through a really complicated time with someone I love, and it subconsciously started flooding my writing.  It was a therapeutic way of analyzing what was happening, looking at it from different angles on different songs.  Somedays you feel totally over it and so strong, like on No Regrets.  Sometimes with humor, sometimes with drama, like Papercuts or My Heart. Once I opened that door of vulnerability, I started incorporating other forms of loss- Sadmoney.  The world feels like its a very real moment, and I think it’s important people get that from artists right now. 

Have you been listening to a lot of music lately? who are you listening to?
When I find a song I really love, I will listen to it on repeat.
Post Malone, Rae Strummerd, Billie Eilish, The Knife, Fever Rey, Johan Johansson, Sigur Ros, Kendrik Lamar. So pretty much hip hop and nordic vibes?

“Being a mom is the most important thing I will ever do with my life, and my favorite thing in the world. To have something so important that is always above everything else, including yourself…is a  gift.”

You are now the mother of 2 children. Becoming a mum so young must have been life changing…what does motherhood means to you? Do you feel more inspired since you are a mom?
I am truly blessed with my children… they are the most incredible, kind human beings (not children-humans) I have ever met.  Being a young mum, especially a single one, can be really hard. It’s a lot of time, energy, love, sacrifice, tears, and laughter.
It’s the most important thing I will ever do with my life, and my favorite thing in the world. To have something so important that is always above everything else, including yourself…is a  gift. If society as a whole could feel this and focus more on the future as opposed to our personal  daily grind we all get so caught up in, the world would be a much better place. Children make you think about the world you are bringing them into, and the one you will be leaving them. They make you shift your view to be the best you you can, for the most unselfish reason… and that I find incredibly inspiring.

And what about being a woman in our society and especially in the music industry? do you feel like it can be challenging? Have you ever suffered of sexism, pressure or any kind of abuse?
In this industry, you can be seen as much of a brand as you are as a person/artist, and I think it can become easy for people to dehumanize you when essentially you are their product.
I entered this industry as a teenager, in a scene that was very much a part of the nightlife.  The danger in that is your’e essentially in an adult playground with free access to things you’re not supposed to have … and getting paid for it.  In no way do I believe substances are an excuse for sexist or abusive behavior of any kind. But I think they make people who already have that in them less inhibited. I’ve experienced photographers thinking its ok to try and pull down my top/ push me to be more risqué, someone thinking they can smack your ass, people in power offering prescription pills and unsolicited sexual comments… But I have also met some of the most respectful and supportive people in the world through this industry- and there is much more good than bad.

More and more women have found a voice, telling their story with the #metoo movement, women’s march…Do you feel connected to such movements? Do you think it can help go forward?
These movements are very important and imperative in going forward. Speaking out about things puts it under a light, when we speak about things and acknowledge them it’s out there, and that makes it a little bit harder to ignore things.  Most women I know have experienced some form of abuse and/or sexism, and these women need a platform to share their experiences if that is what will help them to heal and move forward.  But for the women who have not experienced this, I think creating a world in which that shit will not be “swept under the rug” and there is no corner to hide in, will only make it easier for people to stand up for themselves. 

“In this industry, you can be seen as much of a brand as you are as a person/artist, and I think it can become easy for people to dehumanize you when essentially you are their product.”

What advice would you give young aspiring musicians?
Be a boss, learn to sleep anywhere and anytime, and see the cities you get to visit!

What changed in you? I mean between the 2009 Uffie and the 2019 Uffie?
Wow… so much! The biggest change is self care.  I just didn’t give a fuck and did whatever I felt like when I was younger.  And that was something I needed to live through, and in general I had a really fun time. But that life is not sustainable, and it stops you from developing fully as a person. I don’t really drink anymore and know that to be my best self I need to eat well, get sleep, and exercise… so I try and do that.

What is the wrongest assumption people have ever made about you?
That I am French.  I have dual citizenship (UK/US) but not technically  French. However it’s  where I lived the longest and feel most at home.

Are you gonna be back on tour ? how do you feel about touring ?  
Yes. Like with constant traveling, it’s harder to maintain your health and home life. I have done a lot a lot a lot of touring… and it is such a magical thing. Playing live is so special and important because you get to hang with your fans. You can look at their face and really see how what you do moves them. Everytime I perform I get so nervous before, but without fail after every gig I am so happy and think “omg this is why I do this!”.  

Follow UFFIE:  Spotify/ Apple Music / Soundcloud
Photos by Ashley Osborn @ashleyosborn