INSIDE PENNY BORED’S WORLD, “WRITING IS MY WAY TO NAVIGATE LIFE.”

Credit: Hope Alvarez

Meet Penny Bored, the solo project of Faith Alesia (they/them); after having released single after single since 2020, they recently announced they were releasing their first EP after signing with Open Your Eyes Records, a Richmond-based label, home to Sunday Morning, Elektric Animals and many more. Inspired by the early pop-rock influences like Paramore and Avril Lavigne, Penny Bored takes it upon themselves to establish a safe space for listeners with honest lyrics about mental health and personal struggles to connect and make sure that the listeners don’t feel alone.

Recently, Penny Bored released their latest single, “Gossip”, and before that, “Dance In Hell”, a song about self-sabotage and finding the silver lining when life puts you through challenging situations.

We had the chance to talk to Penny Bored and get to know them. You can read the interview below.

HM: Hi, I was wondering if you wanted to introduce yourself first.
My name is Penny Bored, and I’m a pop rock artist from Dallas, Texas! Been doing this since 2020, and it’s my first musical project!

HM: You’ve been consistently releasing singles since 2020, and now you’re gearing up for your second EP - and first since signing to Open Your Ears Records. How does the creative process differ when working on an EP compared to individual singles?
When I’m working on a collection of music, I just write a whole bunch of different things. Sometimes, I can write a whole song in one day, and it’ll usually change a little once I start tracking, but other times, I will collect different lyrics over time and piece it together in the studio. I often find I work better when setting aside dedicated studio time to focus on my craft. I try not to overthink it or sit with one song too long! I really love moments when I get to write lyrics while simultaneously recording the final vocals for them.

HM: What’s your songwriting process like? Do you start with lyrics, a melody, or a specific emotion you want to convey?
It can definitely differ depending on the song! A lot of times, I’ll have a specific theme or emotion for the song, and my producer will work on an instrumental; I’ll write to it, and then we make any changes we need to. But recently, I’ve been writing lyrics first, and then we write the music around it.

HM: Your music is influenced by early pop-rock acts like Paramore, Hilary Duff, and Avril Lavigne. What is it about their music that resonated with you, and how do you bring your voice into the pop-rock world?
Something about pop rock music has always stuck with me. It’s fun but empowering. Those artists helped me navigate a lot in my teen years and now provide a lot of comfort and nostalgia. That feeling is something I would love to recreate in my own way.

HM: Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize music was the direction you wanted to take?
I had been behind the scenes as a music photographer for years. Once the pandemic started, my whole life shifted like many others. I couldn’t take on much work anymore, and I was supposed to study abroad in Spain. Something about that free time kept making me think about this dream I always had. Kinda felt like a now or never moment. So I started Penny Bored and never looked back!

HM: Your music touches on mental health and personal struggles, which can be challenging but so important to talk about. How has writing about these topics been for you, and what do you hope your listeners take from it?
It’s so difficult to write these and then perform them in front of a crowd. I’ve caught myself having moments on stage where I needed to take a step back and breathe. Some of these lyrics still bring me back to the moments I was writing about. A lot of my favorite artists are pretty transparent about things, and it’s always helped me feel less alone and understood. I hope that listeners can listen to Penny Bored and know that their feelings are valid and they aren’t alone.

HM: Your recently released singles, “Gossip” and “Dance In Hell,” both explore deep personal themes. Would you mind sharing a little about what inspired the tracks and how they fit into the bigger story of your upcoming EP?
Gossip is mostly about my queer journey. I grew up in a small town in Texas, and I didn’t always feel safe coming out. I didn’t tell anyone I was queer until I was 18… maybe 19? and living on my own. However, I always think back to when I had a huge crush on one of my best friends. I never told her, and I don’t know if she ever caught on, but all those moments we spent together were so special and meant so much to me.

Dance in Hell started out as a song about self-sabotage. I am known for taking on way more than I can handle and always told I need to take more breaks. But I have so many ideas and things I want to do! One ounce of validation is all I need to chase after my ideas, and in the end, I always wreck my plans because I’m too exhausted to give 100%. However, I always try to look at the bright side and see what I’ve learned from each situation. Some days feel like the end of the world, but I always get through it.

A lot of these songs are about different moments in my youth and really learning to navigate my 20s. I’ve learned a lot about myself and who I want to be remembered as. I’ve owned up to my own mistakes and continue learning from new ones. I’ve lost friends, made new ones, and learned to enjoy my own company. The list goes on and on. I can’t wait to share these songs with everyone, and I feel like these are a true representation of myself and the future of Penny Bored.

HM: Signing with Open Your Eyes Records is such an exciting step! How has joining the label impacted your music, and what are you planning for the future?
It’s really exciting to work with a team of people who truly believe in what you do! I’ve always questioned if PB was the right choice and even got to a point where I didn’t know how much longer I would pursue music; maybe it was just a short-term hobby like everything else. Working on these releases with OYE has changed everything, though. I feel so much more confident, and I love being able to chat with them about all of my crazy ideas. and I adore how supportive they are.

I’m always writing and would love to release an album one day, but for now taking things day by day!

HM: Have you had any interactions with fans that have stuck with you or influenced your music in any way?
I get a lot of messages from people telling me I’ve inspired them to chase their dreams. Whether it’s starting a band, a small business, taking up a new hobby, etc., it feels wild to know I could make that sort of impact, but I always want to keep encouraging people to try new things and follow their dreams. This is your life, and you should do what makes you happy!

HM: With your new EP on the way, what are you most excited about? What can your fans look forward to with this release?
I’m really excited to celebrate this release with a hometown show! We’re arranging an entirely new reimagined set. Yash, who usually plays guitar in the live band will be playing violin for a lot of the songs. We’re bringing out chimes, piano, and so many more surprises. It’s an exclusive set, and there’s very limited tickets available! The whole setup will be a pop-up experience, so not only is there a reimagined set, but also art exhibits, photo ops, and games!

Definitely want to hit the road more next year if that’s a possibility! I’d love to play this EP live as much as possible and meet everyone!

HM: Music can be such a powerful outlet, but it can also be exhausting. How do you take care of your mental health and stay grounded while creating?
I thrive off of a routine and set a schedule for myself each day. I have to limit myself to days and certain hours to focus on writing or do anything related to Penny Bored. Otherwise, I’ll experience burnout and fall into a creative rut. Sounds silly and may be a little over the top, but it’s what works best for me to keep my mind from wandering or distracted! I always try to take a moment each day to do something else, too, like read, try a new recipe, watch a movie, play a game, or anything that’s 100% for me. Allowing myself free time helps to keep me inspired and motivated!

HM: If you could go back and give some advice to your younger self when you first started making music, what would it be?
I started playing violin in 5th grade, and I was also in choir for a couple of years. Tried drums, picked up guitar, and took theatre and dance classes. I had big dreams as a kid, and I wish I always took it more seriously instead of hiding in the background. I wish I could go back and tell that kid, “You’ve got this. Don’t worry about what everyone thinks, and do what makes you happy.”

You can catch Penny Bored’s new EP, I’m Bored, out September 13th!