INTERVIEW: Pipin On Her Debut EP ‘Your Time Is Your Own’
Article by Darcy Goss.
Brisbane’s dream-pop princess Pipin has today released her enchanting debut EP ‘Your Time Is Your Own’.
A project by Bec Hoole, Pipin creates off the basis of human emotion. Inspired by the intricacies of growing up, her debut EP explores the transition from adolescence to adulthood and the challenges along the way.
Lyric wise, it is a beautifully brutal record. Pipin shows no sparkly side to navigating through lifes struggles as she learns to be in charge of her own time. Talking of disappointment, hope, love and heartbreak, the EP is just a small taste of what’s to come for the eager artist.
Her dazzling, glamour pop sounds sprinkled with disco flavour and 90’s nostalgia are of course prevalent throughout the entire record. The cherry on top of an already magnificent release.
We had a chat to Pipin about her debut EP, her driving force behind creating and Piping Hot!?
Check it out…
Hey Pipin, how are you lovelyyyy?
P: Hello there dear friends. Going so well on this beautiful day!
First things first, for anyone that isn’t familiar with ‘Pipin’ – describe your music to us in 4 words…
P: Glittery psychedelic dream pop
Now, Pipin, tell me about the name? For some reason my brain keeps referring to Piping Hot!? Remember that 2010 y2k vibe brand???
P: Hahah! Ah yes, I believe I was the proud owner of a pair of knee-length board shorts from that exclusive brand when I was 12. The name actually comes from a particularly awesome dog that hung around a share house that I spend quite a lot of time at. The dog was actually named after Pippin from The Lord of The Rings. I feel like sometimes the creative process can be likened to taking the ring to Mordor (hah!) so that fit well with me. But honestly, when looking to put a name to the project this is the one that stuck with me and resonated with me the most, so here we are! Plus, I’m an avid LOTR fan.
Hahah! That’s amazing! Anyways, today is a very exciting day, you’ve just released your debut EP titled ‘Your Time Is Your Own’ – talk to us a bit about that!!
P: So very exciting!! I wrote these songs between 2018 and 2021. They reflect my transition from adolescence to adulthood and the challenges I’ve faced in learning and unlearning behaviours and thought patterns as I continually navigate what it looks like to be in charge of my own time. I feel like a lot of young people find it really difficult when they leave university and enter the workforce for the first time and combat these contradicting ideas of who you want to be or what you want to do and what you believe is expected of you. I’m still working it all out, but this first EP captures my initial experience with this.
How was the songwriting and recording process for the EP, what’s your typical technique?
P: I was immensely blessed to work closely with my partner and incredible producer and multi-instrumentalist Hugh Middleton to craft these songs and their overall sound. I came to Hugh with these songs written as lyrics and chords and a few ideas and references and we worked together to hone the tracks into what they are. We’ve really built a creative partnership filled with trust and mutual respect for ideas and it’s been so beautiful to watch that develop as we’ve worked together, both in recording the album and when playing live.
What do you want people to take away from this release?
P: I hope that it will be enjoyed by people and resonate with them. I think the driving force behind creation is to connect with others and I hope that this EP brings more people into my creative sphere to share and grow together.
And how does it feel to finally have it out for the world to hear!!
P: It’s been so incredible to grow in confidence and establish myself as an artist. Not only has the creative growth been astronomical, but my personal growth has also been immense. This feels like a huge milestone for me and a good platform to jump off from to just make more and more.
What can fans expect from Pipin for the rest of the year?
Well, I’ve got the EP launch at Black Bear Lodge next Thursday the 3rd of June. It’s going to be such an epic collaboration of music, lighting and dance and there’s still tickets available if people can make it! Besides that, there’s just so many more shows to be played and music to be made. I’ve got so much to give and I’m only getting started.
Now to support local, give a shout out to 3 other artists making their way through the music scene that you love.
P: My top 3 favourites that I can’t stop listening to right now are Edgar Hurley, Hazel Mei and Nicole McKinney. All epic musicians with amazing live sets and exemplary songwriting.
And also, because I’m sure everyone wants to know, WHERE do you get your outfits…? They’re AMAZING!
P: Opshops and Facebook marketplace! You can find so many treasures second-hand with a little bit of digging. I’ve had some fantastic interactions with people selling costumes and vintage pieces they haven’t worn for years and that are filled with wonderful stories.
Finally, to wrap it up let’s do a few rapid-fire Q’s:
· Best song to sing in the shower to?
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Since You’ve Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
· Favourite Brisbane venue?
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I have seen some great shows at The Woolly Mammoth lately.
· Best beverage?
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I’m a sucker for a Bloody Mary.
· If you could tour with one artist, who would it be?
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Laurel – she’s a UK act with so much 80’s pop goodness.