Today sees the release of singer-songwriter Piper Connolly’s new single muse, a song about complexities of friendship and unrequited love. Piper released her debut single twisted play in April, and for both releases she collaborated with producer Marvin Fockens. For National Record Store Day, Piper performed acoustic sets at Asylum Records and Rock This Town Records, and on Saturday 15th June, she has an acoustic set for Rock This Town Records’ second birthday and it will also be her release party for her latest single muse. Speaking to Piper, she told us about her new single release – muse, collaborating with Marvin Fockens and performing live.

Can you tell us about your new single muse, which is released today – 13th June?

Sure! I wrote muse when I was dealing with a one-sided crush. It was someone I was collaborating with creatively, and had been for some time. We collaborated beautifully together so I needed to decide if I was going to suck it up in favour of working with this person, or get caught up in my feelings and lose this creative partnership. I decided to suck it up! It wasn’t easy but it was the best choice for everyone involved.

Did you have a favourite aspect of working on muse and how much did the lyrics change over time?

My favourite part about the creative process with muse was locking on how the instrumentals would sound – with my most favourite part being when we added the guitar solo! Fun fact – the original version didn’t have a solo and my collaborator, Marvin (Fockens), indulged my request to add one and we both LOVED it! Lyrically, it didn’t change a ton – just some phrasing here and there to fit the melody – but the lyrics are essentially the OG.

How was it hearing the finished song when it was complete and what do you hope listeners take from the single?

I was beyond excited to hear it all together… my story plus the beautiful instrumentals plus the addition of the solo… I was thrilled!! I think muse will be relatable to a lot of people. I think many of us have been in that situation at least once – where we have to make the call to deal with the pain of ‘unrequited love’ in order to stay in that person’s life, for one reason or another. I think it’s a more common situation than an uncommon one.

How did you feel releasing your debut single twisted play in April and how long was it in the making?

Releasing my debut twisted play was really exciting. It had been a looooong time in the making – so to finally be able to share it with the world was amazing! In this case, twisted play started as a journal entry that evolved into a poem that evolved into a song. It had a few musical versions before I landed on the version I released. It took me about a year to finish it, once the journal entry was written.

What was twisted play like to write and record and where did the inspiration come from for the lyrics?

Writing twisted play was super cathartic for me because, as I mentioned, it actually started as a journal entry. I wrote it at a time when I was feeling really ‘stuck’ musically. I was working with someone who was trying to have me ‘be’ and ‘create’ and ‘behave’ as someone I’m not because that’s what worked for them and what would be most lucrative for them. I had ZERO creative control or say in how or what I performed. It was really starting to mess with my mental health because I wasn’t being true to myself and, as hard as it was, I needed to call it. twisted play is my acknowledgment of that and my “declaration of independence” from the situation.

How has it been seeing the listeners’ response to your music so far and who do you think your songs will appeal to?

Having people listen to and respond to my music has been really moving. You know, when you write something – in the beginning – it’s just for you. Whether it be for healing, cleansing, whatever… But when you release it to the world, it becomes something special for each person who listens to it and vibes with it. And that’s really cool. I like to think that my music will appeal to anyone who has experienced love and heartache… Especially people that are just going through all of that for the first time.

You have collaborated with producer Marvin Fockens on both releases, how is it working together?

Marvin is amazing… I absolutely adore working with him. He “gets” me… it’s almost as if he has this sixth sense… I only need to say a few words to describe where I’m going or want to go with something and – boom – he’s already there. He is super gifted and I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to work with him.

Can you tell us about some of the recent live shows you have performed at, which have included acoustic sets at Asylum Records and Rock This Town Records for National Record Store Day?

Playing at both of those local shops on Record Store Day was really great. Anyone who knows me knows that I am OBSESSED with vinyl. I have a crazy collection of vinyl records at home, so Record Store Day is a really special day for me to begin with. Having the opportunity to perform at these two local shops was really cool because I also love to support local businesses and these are two of my favourites. Having Record Store Day line up so perfectly with twisted play release day felt almost celestial and really special. Instead of playing my set in the way you’d expect the songs to sound, my team and I thought an unplugged set would be interesting. It was fun to arrange all the songs acoustically and perform them in an understated and really beautiful way. Of course, the energy of performing an electric set is really cool – but there is something really intimate about acoustic performances that I love.

What do you enjoy most about performing live and do you have any live shows coming up?

My favourite thing in the entire world is performing live. To have people sing along with you and dance and jump around is just amazing. It is as if the crowd’s energy charges me and I love it so much. There really isn’t anything else like it for me.

As for upcoming shows, I have an acoustic performance coming up on June 15th to celebrate Rock This Town Records’ second birthday and as a release party for my latest single muse, and my team is lining up a bunch of shows for the fall. It’s “melt your face off” season in Arizona, so we’re looking forward to playing in cooler climates!

How did you get into music and was it something you always wanted to do?

Being a performer was never an intentional choice. It just “was”. I just always knew it was what I wanted to do, and it’s all I’ve ever done – whether it be acting or music. I can’t imagine spending my life doing anything other than this, so there is no plan B or C (sorry, Mom). I hope I continue to be blessed with opportunities to perform for the rest of my life!

Who are some of your favourite music artists to listen to?

My biggest musical inspirations are Freddie Mercury and Queen, Luke Spiller, Hayley Williams and Paramore, Dave Grohl and Melanie Martinez. I’m also sort of obsessed with Kurt Cobain right now – so I’m really digging Nirvana and listening to all of their albums! I love listening to all of my inspo artists and whatever my Spotify DJ thinks I might like – I’ve discovered some cool new stuff because of him!!

We understand you were a child actor, can you tell us about this?

Yes!! I started acting in commercials and independent films when I was an itty bitty. The idea of getting to play ‘make believe’ and build a career or enjoy a hobby out of that is pretty cool. I still enjoy acting today but tend to lean into music more naturally than acting (although playing ‘make believe’ is still fun!!).

How do you like to spend your free time?

Creating, mostly. I love writing screenplays and filming short films, special effects makeup (along with regular makeup too!), travelling, going to see live concerts (we recently saw Mother Mother in Phoenix, and Melanie Martinez in Vegas), visiting art installations and photography. I guess you could say, if it’s creative, I’m going to love it!!

What are you hoping this year brings for your career?

Firstly, thank you for the opportunity to chat! As for the rest of 2024 – I really hope the rest of this year brings lots of opportunity to continue to release my music, continue to write new music, collaborate with gifted creatives and, of course, perform live as often and wherever I can.

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