Following on from the release of her stunning breakthrough debut single ‘Mean’ earlier this year, Dutch singer and songwriter Penny Roox recently returned with her breezy sophomore offering ‘Sad Sad Dreams’.
Channelling a smooth and sensual direction, reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, ‘Sad Sad Dreams’ sees her return in stellar form. Bringing back more of her distinctly laid-back direction and blending it with a heartfelt and romantic aesthetic, she certainly feels like an artist on the rise right now.
So with her latest release doing the rounds right now, we sat down with her to discuss her latest jam and what she has planned for the future.
Words by Chris Bound
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Chris) Hi Penny, how are you today?
Penny) I’m feeling pretty good, thanks. The weather is shitty for this time of the year but I try to keep myself busy and I try to go outside as much as possible until things will eventually get better.
For those that haven’t heard of you yet, how would you best describe your sound and who have been your biggest influences so far?
I guess you could call it vintage pop. It has something melancholic, combined with my love for the 60s. I think I sound like an old polaroid picture ;-) At the age of 12, I started singing classes from a jazz singer. She taught me all the jazz standards and I fell in love with Ella Fitzgerald. She was my first big inspiration to get up on stage and pursue a career in music. I love the writing and melodies from Joni Mitchell, the old fashioned sweetness of Elvis ballads and the edginess of Del Rey. There’s so much to be inspired.
Do you remember what the first song was that made you want to start a career in music?
Oh, I love this question! I remember that as a kid, music always touched me greatly. When I was 10, my grandparents gave me my own CD player and that changed my world. I listened to all the CDs my parents owned: Jacques Brèl, Nirvana, The Doors.. It was like a whole new dimension opening up. I had no idea what the songs were about, but there were such great emotions captured in melodies and voices. Since then I knew I was going to be an artist.
And is there any artist that you would want to share a stage with?
I never stopped having this major crush on Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys. His way of telling stories in his lyrics is so unique and the way he evolves on every album is pretty impressive and enviable. I would love to hit the studio with him.
You have just released your new single ‘Sad Sad Dreams’. Can you tell us how that track came about? Is there a story behind it?
I have always been a heavy dreamer – daydreaming to pass the time, but also having very vivid dreams at night. Every morning I remember at least one of them. They are a huge inspiration to my songs.
When I was in this bad breakup, I dreamt about being back together. Cuddling, making up, spending time together. I woke up to find out I was still alone. It was heartbreaking, really. It was the foundation of Sad Sad Dreams.
It also follows your debut single ‘Mean’ from earlier this year. Can you tell us how the two songs differ?
The songs have the biggest difference in their lyrics, I guess. Mean is more of a breezy tune with some witty tongue-in-cheek remarks like “I only like him if he’s mean”. I wrote this song based on a conversation with a friend who was complaining about “always falling for the dickheads instead of the nice guys”. I thought that was a great idea for a song. Sad Sad Dreams is based on my own experience and because of that more personal. In sound it’s more of a long-lost classic ballad from the 60s, more like a vintage black-and-white daydream.
The coronavirus outbreak has obviously affected everyone’s plans, but what have you got in store for the rest of the year?
Well, I am honestly not that good at planning ahead. But you can expect a lot of music from me in the near future. There’s a lot ready to be released – I’m only not that sure if it’s gonna be an EP, album, a show, just singles.. I think the pandemic is mostly the cause of that. Planning is hard when everything is changing and questionable so I try to be as flexible as I can and ooze along in this changing time.
And finally, what is the best piece of musical advice you have ever been given?
There is no progress without mistakes. I waited years and years to release music, because I thought it was never good enough. I wasted my time with thinking of the possibilities instead of exploring them. Since I released my first single, I learnt I’m exactly where I need to be and I just needed to start. I stopped talking myself out of opportunities because I didn't feel ‘ready’. So now I’m scared but I do it anyways.