Artist Of The Week #135 - Fever Queen
This week’s Artist of The Week is Chicago-based songwriter Fever Queen, who has just released her debut album ‘The World Of Fever Queen’. The release provides a stunning introduction to Fever Queen’s creative intention, with each song creating a powerful moment for the listener. She took a moment to talk to us about the album in more detail.
Hey there, so the debut LP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there?
Hi! It feels really great. I took a little victory lap around the neighborhood in my headphones to give it a listen. It felt great because I remember playing the demos to my boyfriend and being so nervous that I like curled into a ball in the corner of the room while he was listening haha. He was the first to hear them. So now they’ve grown to the point where I no longer feel that sensitivity of having just birthed them into the world, and I can really just appreciate them for what they are and how they turned out.
The album is titled ‘The World of Fever Queen’ and it feels like you are telling a story. Does it have a beginning, a middle and an end?
It does. I think it starts off with me questioning where I’m at in life and recognizing that something feels off. I go on to observe my situation from many angles, and ultimately choose to change direction. Spoiler alert: It’s a happy ending.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the recording process?
It was recorded in my apartment. I’m not typically a finish a whole song in one sitting type of gal. I usually work on like 5 different songs every time I decide to work on music. Sometimes just 5 minutes each, sometimes longer. I feel like it keeps my ears fresh to keep switching gears and not get stuck. I don’t ever want to get sick of a song either. So I’m constantly opening and closing projects and surfin’ through material. I usually forget what everything sounds like the next day when I listen back so it feels like a surprise.
A lot of this album comes from your life traveling and working across America - what were your fondest memories of that journey?
I lived In Hawaii for a bit and that’s a real special place. It really forces you to slow down and feels like you’ve been transported to the 60s. We slept on beaches and hitchhiked regularly. And I was never on my phone. I learned so many outdoor skills and really loved the farming community. Eventually I had to leave because there is no music scene or night life besides drum circles and ukuleles which aren’t really my style. It can get a little burning man/new agey over there and the new agers can’t handle sarcasm or shit talking—two of my favorite pastimes.
What are the key themes and influences on this album?
Blunt honesty and trusting your gut. The lyrics are pretty straight up. And just utilizing what you have. I'm influenced by my guitars and drum machine because that's what I had in my room when I was writing. I didn't have a working bass when I was recording, so there was an absence of that til we started mixing and I had my friend Mike Winegardner come through and add some.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
The lyrics to “Steam” I was really feeling. I’m also into the beginning of “Night Vision”—"I’ve seen so many lives I can live, I’ve lived so many lives, can I live?” That sort of goes hand in hand with the traveling and also having a wild imagination. There’s so many ways to live in this world. Who do you want to surround yourself with, where do you want to live, what do you want to do? I’m a person who’s inspired by change and draws inspiration from many things. So it's sort of like…..if the sky is the limit, let me really think about what I want to do next, and choose carefully.
Now the album is out there - what next for you?
I hope a show is in the future once those start happening again. But that still feels far away to be honest. Hopefully next summer venues will be on the upswing again. Otherwise just a cold winter of recording in my room, which I greatly look forward to.