Their latest single ‘Bear Witness’ represents one of their most personal releases to date, confronting trauma, lost innocence and the complicated process of survival. Inspired by watching the film Priscilla on a flight home from Lollapalooza in 2024, the song emerged through an almost subconscious writing process, with its deeper meaning becoming clearer over time.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I’ve dabbled in many instruments, from piano to guitar, but the one I truly fell in love with was bass. I’ve always found it a little ironic, almost hypocritical, considering that before I ever picked one up, I hated it. I never cared much for the low end and always felt it wasn’t for me. I also always told myself I’d be a guitarist long before I’d ever become a bassist. But I can still remember the moment something just clicked. It was as though I’d discovered a part of myself I hadn’t quite known how to express before. I felt this undeniable connection, and the more time I spent with the instrument, the more I realized that perhaps I’d found my place in music in the most unexpected way. With every show, my love for the bass grew, as did my musical literacy and appreciation for the instrument.
I don’t play nearly as much as I used to, but I think that’s the beautiful thing about music. Sometimes, certain parts of ourselves find their way back to us when the time is right. If the opportunity ever arises to join another creative project that resonates with me stylistically and gives me the chance to pick up the bass again, I’d happily welcome it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
As a child, I was always eager to explore and expose myself to all kinds of music. The older I got, the more expansive my taste became. I grew up listening to a lot of classical music and spent time studying it, but I’ve always been a metalhead at heart. In high school, I spent most of my weekends going to shows, whether they were part of my local underground scene or not. I love just about every subgenre, from thrash metal to melodic death metal. I loved moshing and crowd surfing, and going to shows became a big part of my life during those years. It’s where I discovered a key part of myself. I always wanted to be the lead vocalist of a metal band, and honestly, if I weren’t making the music I make now, I’d probably be doing that instead.
What was the first album you remember owning?
When I got my first record player, my grandmother gave me a few of her Beatles vinyl records. One of them was their German-language version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” titled “Komm, gib mir deine Hand.” Being German, I found myself listening to that particular single the most, hoping to pick up more of the language so I could communicate with my German relatives beyond English. Still not fluent, but still adore the single.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Age of Information” by Evanora Unlimited. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a song that encapsulates so much feeling all at once. It’s almost impossible to describe what it makes me feel, from the first time I heard it to every time I’ve listened since. It’s beautiful, it’s haunting, and it will forever remain my all-time favorite song.
Listening to it feels like a journey, almost like I’ve died and all the memories I’ve made throughout my life come flashing back before my eyes, all in one big montage. I get a similar feeling watching the music video. I think Taraneh and Ivy Knight’s verses complete the song in a way that makes it feel so whole, and I genuinely don’t think there’s anything I would add or take away. No matter how many times I listen to it, it somehow still feels like the first time, and I think there’s something really special about that.
I’ve shared the song with so many people who have completely different tastes in music, and it’s always amazed me how everyone can recognize that there’s something truly one of a kind about it. I remember seeing Evanora perform live in Montreal back in May, and when he played that song, I just broke down sobbing. It was such a happy time in my life, which I think made the experience even more meaningful. No matter what stage of life I’m in or what I’m feeling, I can always return to that song because, somehow, it encapsulates everything and anything I can and could’ve ever felt.
I aspire to make a song that can do the same for someone else one day.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I find it difficult to force new projects out of myself. The process has to happen naturally, so I usually work best when I’m going through something or in a period of reflection. Those tend to be the times when I’m able to create the most, or at all, for that matter.
Writing can be a very isolating process, and it can be draining at times because it’s not just about making the music itself, but also about finding the right way to convey the message behind it. My top-secret method for when I’m feeling frustrated or discouraged is to eat a cookie and tell myself, “I’m just going to open the project file and listen to it. That’s all.” Eventually, I’ll hear something that needs work, so I’ll go in to fix it. Before I know it, that turns into a multiple-hour-long work session, and suddenly I’m working until I fall asleep. Then the cycle repeats.
It works every time and hasn’t failed me once, so it’s safe to say my method is unbeatable. There must be some science behind the cookie. Its involvement is crucial.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Nicole Dollanganger has been a constant for me ever since I discovered her in middle school. That hasn’t changed, and I’m certain she’ll be in my daily rotation forever. Lately, I’ve also been really into Evanora Unlimited and his side project, Marjorie W.C. Sinclair. I adore artists who have such experimental sounds and aren’t afraid to step outside the box. I’ve also been loving Katie Jane Garside’s projects for that very reason.
To name a few more, I’ve been listening to a lot of SALEM, Dean Blunt, Black Kray, Yung Lean, Bladee, Chief Keef, Flower Face, Honey Gentry… I could really go on, lol.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I think it’s pretty obvious at this point, and it goes without saying: Nicole Dollanganger. I’ve seen her live once, and while that was a magical experience in itself, getting to open for her would be a dream come true. Need I say more?
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I’d say the most rewarding part is hearing other people’s stories and how they connect with my music. Growing up, I often felt alienated and isolated in what I was experiencing, and I wanted to make it my goal to help others feel less alone through my music.
When people share their stories with me, whether they’re aching memories of things long past or experiences they’re still navigating, it brings me so much joy to know they can find comfort in something that once ailed them, or perhaps still does. There’s something really special about knowing that something so personal to me can resonate with someone else in ways I could have never imagined.
If there were only one thing I could hold on to when it comes to making music, it would be that. There’s nothing else I’d rather do it for, because to me, it’s always been more than music; it’s a message.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I’d say the most frustrating part is trying to convey that message to the right audience while staying consistently motivated to keep going. There are times when I fall into a slump and feel discouraged, like I’m not getting anywhere. In those moments, I try to remind myself that comparison is the thief of joy and that my work still holds meaning, regardless of what’s happening around me.
It’s easy to get caught up in an unfulfilling mindset that convinces you it’s all for nothing, but I don’t think it ever truly is. No matter what, someone out there is always listening, even if it’s just yourself. I think there’s something important about remembering that, because at the end of the day, you have to believe in what you’re creating, even when it feels like no one else does.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Never give up.” It’s probably one of the most overused pieces of advice, but in my opinion, it’s also one of the most powerful. You’ll never truly know or see your full potential if you give up on yourself. It’s much easier said than done, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve almost given up, only to regret it afterward. Consistency really does go a long way. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take, and sometimes you just have to keep going even when you can’t see where things are headed.
I’m a firm believer in fate, and I genuinely believe dreams can come true if you give yourself the chance to pursue them. At the time of writing this, I’m heading home to pack for my upcoming trip to Tokyo, Japan, where I’ll be playing a show with some of my best friends. I also recently saw Evanora Unlimited live and got to sing my all-time favorite song on stage with him. Sometimes, experiences like these put my life into perspective. I wouldn’t have been able to experience any of this if I had given up along the way.
Life doesn’t always feel real, and I think that’s what makes it so beautiful. The world really does feel like my oyster, and I think it can be yours, too.
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eranine's new single 'Bear Witness' is out now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.