Genre-bending Alternative, Electro-Pop, Indie, singer WENS offers a fresh perspective on our shared insecurities, qualms and desires. With the release of her new single, “Beauty Queen,” WENS’ dreamy vocals are sure to take you on a sonically ethereal experience.
Pass The Crown: What was your inspiration behind “Beauty Queen”?'
WENS: I had a massive crush on a guy that was much much older than me and looked at me like I was his little sister. I was so sad about it and when I wrote this song it was me going ‘What if.’ Maybe if I had a time machine I could have gone back in time, met him in high school, we could have been prom king and queen, and then rode off into the sunset yadda yadda. Unfortunately, I discovered time travel does not exist.
Considering that the single is released on Valentine's Day, does “Beauty Queen” reflect any ideologies of love?
WENS: I’d say beauty queen is less about love, more about lust and infatuation. It’s not a very serious song. The whole premise of it is based on a fantasy. So I think it's more playful and describes the feeling of young puppy love.
What was the creative process behind creating the music video for “Beauty Queen?”
WENS: I loved making this video a lot. The initial idea for it was painting my body a different color because I wanted to flip the idea of a Beauty Queen on its head a bit. Zhamak, the director, came in with the Beauty pageant idea which then fell together really nicely. We wanted it to feel really quirky and random at times.
In “Beauty Queen,” you mention being a “college dropout.” What was your motivation to leave college?
WENS: Basically what happened was after I graduated from high school I enrolled into community college (to make my parents happy knowing in the back of my mind I wouldn’t actually attend) and I had this whole imaginary plan to do two years at a JC and then transfer to a bigger university. As soon as fall rolled around I just never went to school because I started doing music everyday and then my parents just never really asked me about it after.
Check Out the Official Video to WENS’s new song, “Beauty Queen” :
What was growing up in Southern California like? How would you say the environment you grew up in influenced your songwriting and artistry?
WENS: It was a bit like growing up inside of a bubble. I never quite felt like I fit in. I was always searching for more, trying to escape the bubble. I think you can really feel that narrative through my music. For a while, I was insecure about all the things that made me different from everyone else but I eventually came to terms with the fact that those would forever be what made me stand out from the rest of the crowd. I’d say it made a huge impact on my writing and artistry.
How would you describe your sound?
WENS: I find it so hard to answer this question because I feel like it’s constantly changing. Especially depending on what music I’m listening to. Generally speaking, I’m heavily drawn to things that feel a little nostalgic and raw. Mostly analog instruments. A combination of dainty & gritty. I always try to contrast light & dark in my music as well.
Your song, “Cinderella” speaks to the Cinderella complex. What does the Cinderella complex mean to you and what message do you hope people take away from listening to the song?
WENS: I hope that it makes people focus on themselves as opposed to striving for relationships to make them feel complete. It has been programmed in society for women to grow up, meet someone and then start a family as if that’s all they’re good for. I just think it’s extremely important to have your own dreams, goals, and aspirations that don’t just revolve around some fairytale relationship.
Regarding deeper messages and underlying meanings, what do you think young artists, creatives and/or women who feel like they don’t necessarily “fit in” need to hear right now?
WENS: The last thing anyone should want, is to be ordinary. Most of the people I’ve looked up to throughout my whole life have been outsiders. I honestly think it’s such a gift to never want to fit in any box. If you take your unique quirks and amplify them people find it endearing. It seems kind of corny to say, but it’s so important to always be true to yourself no matter how hard it feels while doing so.
In “Rich and Famous,” you sing, “Would you rather be rich and famous or fit into the crowd, be nameless?” What is your interpretation of this black-or-white mentality many people tend to hold true? What does being “rich and famous” mean to you?
WENS: Growing up on the outskirts of LA I was exposed to wealth at a very young age. I quickly learned that just because people had nice cars and a giant mansion, it didn’t necessarily make them happy. We live in a culture now that praises people with the most followers and biggest numbers and if you don’t have a following then you’re nothing. It’s hard to not feed into the numbers game especially when it's how our society measures success. But at the end of the day you could have all the money in the world and if you’re not happy with your life, then none of it really matters.
How do you usually begin your songwriting process?
WENS: Nine times out of ten I’d say I always start with a melody. I usually let the music and melody form what it is that I want to say. Though I have written a few songs I love around one word or lyric. My process isn’t even really a process cuz its always changing.
What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
WENS: I really love to cook. Baking especially calms me down when I’m feeling stressed.
What’s next? New music? Live shows? Any 2020 resolutions?
WENS: I have an EP coming out very soon. Trying to be out on the road playing as many shows as possible. Hopefully I will also finish another body of work and put it out by the end of this year. My main 2020 resolution is to take care of myself more mentally and physically. A healthy mind and body seems to make everything else easier.
Have you always been singing - when do you feel you truly grew into your craft?
WENS: From the time I could walk and talk I was singing. I honestly preferred singing to talking. It wasn’t until I discovered writing when I was about twelve that I really started to hone in on my voice more. I don’t think my voice was actually good until I was like sixteen though. Twelve to fifteen was rough. I listen back to those songs and I wonder how people saw anything in me.
How do you want people to feel when experiencing you perform live? What kind of energy and space do you hope to create?
WENS: I want people listening/watching to feel as many emotions as possible. Happy, sad, bittersweet, angry, calm, satisfied. Each song tells its own story so I think it’s important that the energy ebs and flows in the most natural way possible. The most important thing to me is that everyone feels so comfortable as if they spent the night catching up with a friend they haven’t seen in a while.
