CRYSTAL talks friendship, honesty, and a new era of confidence

Wellington shaped CRYSTAL’s first steps as a songwriter. Auckland forced her to rebuild from scratch. In this conversation, she reflects on learning to back herself, and writing with honesty about friendship, fear, and growing up. As she enters a new chapter with Make It Up To You, CRYSTAL speaks about independence, vulnerability, and finding confidence in her own voice.

Coming from Wellington, what did your hometown teach you about making music and backing yourself?

When I lived back home, I found it to be such an inclusive and supportive place to start my journey as an artist. I did a three year music degree at Massey University, and being surrounded by so many creative, passionate, DIY spirited kids from up and down the country really inspired how I went about the early stages of my project. I wanted to make music but I didn’t know any producers... so I taught myself until I eventually met people to collaborate with. I wanted to play shows but I didn't have a band…so I used my laptop and bought a midi controller. I’d email venues and book my friends to play with me. Developing my project in Wellington really taught me to be a messy, passionate creative, and be rather self-sufficient yet collaborative. I’m so proud to be from Wellington, and it’s definitely informed my highly involved creative processes which I'm super passionate about today.

Why did moving to Auckland feel like the right next step for you, personally and creatively?

I outgrew my hometown and really needed a change to feel inspired and to grow up. It's been almost five years now since I moved and it’s been one of the hardest yet most fulfilling decisions I've ever made.

What changed most for you once you left Wellington and built a new life in Auckland?

I had to learn to be completely independent, and regroup. It’s crazy how so much of your identity and safety net is tied to familiarity and routine. I had to start over, and overcome feeling like I didn't really belong for a couple years. It’s thankfully all worked out thanks to a lot of perseverance and optimism.

Your songs turn everyday moments into sharp emotive commentary. Where does that instinct come from?

I love this thank you! I naturally find writing about everyday moments really interesting. So much of my day-to-day life is so normal and simple, yet so universal. The only way for me to feel a strong connection to my art is to consistently draw from my own experiences. Each song I release time stamps a specific moment in my life which makes my creative process so personal and fulfilling.

Make It Up To You is about realising you were a bad friend while chasing music. What made you brave enough to write that honestly?

I was on a writing trip in Sydney and I'd done a couple sessions with other collaborators in the lead up to this one. I felt like I was running out of ideas, and inspiration. I was reflecting on what was happening in my life and kept thinking about this one friendship I'd been neglecting which I was feeling quite uneasy about. As I've gotten older, I've realised the importance of vulnerability in creating, so naturally all of my other ideas filtered through to this. It can be hard to be vulnerable in new creative spaces with new people but Sarah and Xavier (co-writers) made me feel really supported and heard.

Did writing this song change how you treat your friendships now?

Definitely! I’m actively aware of the importance of living a well rounded, and balanced lifestyle instead of going all in on one thing which is not sustainable.

Your work sits between electronica and alt pop. How do you know when a song feels like “you”?

This is tricky because every song is different. Usually me and whoever I’m collaborating with play around with different options sound wise (alt pop, electronic, indie) until I’m feeling confident on what we land on (usually inspired by current reference tracks at the time or a gut instinct about where I want to take a simple idea). If I’m really excited about the production of a track, there are interesting moments instrumentally and vocally and I have this urge to play it on repeat, that’s always a green flag. The lyrics and melody also have to feel authentic. I think you need to be such a fan of music, and such a fangirl of your own creativity to be an artist.

You’ve played huge stages like Rhythm and Vines. What still scares you about releasing new music?

Being perceived and being open to judgement. I also have this fear that with online content being over saturated, that new releases might not have as much reach as I would like. For ‘MIUTY’ I’ve been trying to focus on what I can control, and find a process of marketing my music which feels enjoyable and authentic.

After starting with a new single release, what do you want this year to represent for you as an artist and as a person?

I want this year to represent a new era of music, creativity and confidence. I’ve always felt like I'm waiting for the perfect moment to do something, but there never is a right time for anything. It’s all a mindset. I’ve been getting back to the basics of what makes me passionate about music, and I’m excited to see where the year takes me.