Spellling
Digest
This podcast features an in-depth conversation with singer Spelling about her new album, *Portrait of My Heart*. The album marks a shift towards a more personal and vulnerable sound, incorporating more guitar and reflecting a period of "second adolescence" for the artist, filled with identity crises and insecurities. Spelling details her creative process, describing it as a form of spiritual practice that helps her connect with others and bridge communication gaps. She traces her artistic journey from poetry to music, highlighting the influence of concise expression. The discussion also covers the album's influences, including the movie *What Dreams May Come* and the book *Mount Analog*, as well as collaborations with other artists and the decision to incorporate more guitar, drawing inspiration from 90s grunge and alt-rock. Spelling explains the meaning behind her stage name and discusses her future plans, which include a return to a more improvisational and solo approach. The podcast also touches upon the upcoming remix album and her experience working with a producer for the first time.
Outlines
Introduction and Album Overview
The podcast introduces Spelling and her new album, *Portrait of My Heart*, highlighting its increased use of guitar and a more personal, vulnerable tone compared to her previous work.
The Genesis of *Portrait of My Heart*
Spelling discusses the album's creation, describing it as a reflection of a second adolescence, marked by identity crises and insecurities. The songs explore personal relationships and matters of the heart on a more intimate scale than her previous album.
Music as Spiritual Practice
Spelling explains how music serves as a spiritual practice, connecting her to relationships and bridging communication gaps. She shares how music facilitates connection with friends and family.
From Poetry to Music
Spelling recounts her journey from poetry to music, describing how poetry's concise expressiveness influenced her musical style. She shares a memory of meeting Justin Richmond.
Future Creative Directions
Spelling discusses her future plans, emphasizing a return to a more improvisational and solo approach, building on the technical skills she's developed.
The Meaning Behind the Name "Spelling"
Spelling explains the origin of her stage name, connecting it to her interest in words as magic and incantation, and its influence on her early work.
Influences and Inspirations for *Portrait of My Heart*
Spelling discusses the influences behind *Portrait of My Heart*, including the movie *What Dreams May Come* and the book *Mount Analog*, explaining how these impacted the album's imagery and themes.
The Creative Process and Waterfall
Spelling details her creative process, emphasizing the act of "reeling back" rather than adding elements. She discusses *Waterfall*, her favorite song, and its creation process.
The Increased Use of Guitar and Collaborations
Spelling explains the decision to incorporate more guitar into *Portrait of My Heart*, drawing inspiration from 90s grunge and alt-rock. She discusses collaborations with other artists.
Remix Album and Working with a Producer
Spelling discusses the upcoming remix album, her collaboration with producer Rob Beisell, and the experience of working with a producer for the first time.
Keywords
Portrait of My Heart
Spelling's new album, characterized by a more personal and vulnerable sound.
Avant-Garde Pop
A genre of pop music that pushes boundaries and experiments with unconventional sounds and structures.
Spiritual Practices
Activities or routines undertaken to cultivate a connection with something beyond the material world.
Identity Crisis
A period of uncertainty and self-questioning about one's identity, values, and purpose in life.
Creative Process
The methods and approaches used by Spelling in creating her music.
90s Grunge/Alt-Rock
Musical influences impacting the sound of *Portrait of My Heart*.
Rob Beisell
Producer who collaborated with Spelling on the album and remix album.
Second Adolescence
A period of self-discovery and identity exploration described by Spelling.
Intuition
The ability to understand something instinctively, without conscious reasoning.
Sonic Universe
The carefully crafted and cohesive soundscape of an artist's work.
Q&A
What inspired the shift in tone and style from *The Turning Wheel* to *Portrait of My Heart*?
The album reflects a period of "second adolescence" for Spelling, marked by identity crises and insecurities, leading to a more personal and vulnerable exploration of relationships and self-doubt.
How does music function as a form of spiritual practice in Spelling's life?
Music allows Spelling to direct her gifts and talents, elevate her abilities, and connect with others in ways that words cannot. It bridges communication gaps and strengthens relationships.
What were some of the key influences and inspirations behind the creation of *Portrait of My Heart*?
The movie *What Dreams May Come*, the book *Mount Analog*, and a range of 90s alt-rock and grunge artists significantly shaped the album's sound and themes.
What is Spelling's creative process like, and how does it differ on this album?
Spelling typically starts with a core idea and then "reels back," stripping away elements rather than adding them. *Portrait of My Heart* saw a more intentional use of guitar as a central element.
How did the collaboration with producer Rob Beisell impact Spelling's creative process and the final product?
Working with Beisell provided an external perspective, challenging Spelling's assumptions and leading to a more refined and concise final product. It also affirmed her own skills as a producer.
Show Notes
Chrystia Cabral is the experimental, often mystically-inclined Oakland artist who records as Spellling. Since her 2019 debut, she’s built a reputation for richly imaginative music that defies easy categorization. Her third album, The Turning Wheel, earned a rare perfect 10 from notoriously discerning online critic Anthony Fantano, who called it “stunning and beautiful.”
Today, Spellling joins Justin Richmond to talk about the making of her latest release, Portrait of My Heart—a bold evolution that deepens her blend of avant-garde, pop, and rock by adding new layers of mysticism and theatricality. She also reflects on her transition from teaching to touring, the intention behind every element of her sound, and the early days of her music-making, when she first began experimenting with gear.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Spellling songs HERE.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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