From the moment Texas-based, alt-pop songwriter Somebody Someone sat down to write “Better” (which hit digital streaming platforms on October 25), they knew that it would be a sea change moment. The artist had worked their way down an emotionally rocky road, emerging stronger and happier, and was ready to tell the story; an eloquent, yet anthemic celebration of self-acceptance and personal growth.

With an entrance like their single and video for “Better,” Somebody Someone is well on their way to building a name for themselves.  Their recent show at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall was packed with fans (some of whom had traveled from Austin to support them) and industry alike who felt the spellbinding buzz they were creating.  

Currently working on new music for an album next year (with some surprising heavy hitters involved),  Somebody Someone will definitely be a name you’ll be hearing quite a bit from in 2025. So please check them out now and get acquainted with them early.

Ghettoblaster had the pleasure of chatting with Somebody Someone recently. This is what they said.

It is relatively recently that you’ve decided to pursue being an artist full-time, correct? What has that experience been like? 

Prior to the pandemic, I was an artist full-time for about four years. Just like everyone else, I had to make the necessary shifts to survive. The goal is always to get back to full-time when I can. I hustle with the best of them and know the road is long and hard traveled. 

Do you have any collaborators or is the music all you?  

On this piece, I worked mostly on my own and with mixing engineers and a string arranger. I always pull in people that I think will help me serve the song up in the best way possible. Most of the music I write all starts with me crafting up a basic demo – think vocals and a single instrument – and gets fleshed out from there.

How has Austin supported you as an artist? Is it a better place for this pursuit than your hometown in Mississippi? 

Austin has been instrumental, pardon the pun, in my success. I’ve been welcomed with open arms by the community here and they’ve held me up, helped me find grants and opportunities, and colored my world. Mississippi doesn’t have a lot going on where I’m from in the form of recording studios and world class producers and musicians. Austin is swimming in musicians and artists, it’s a great place to be to cut your teeth and figure out your sound. There are so many venues to play at, it’s like performance grad school. 

For those that haven’t heard your music, who do you view as your contemporaries? 

You’ll probably like my music if you’re a fan of folks like Regina Spektor, Adele, Fiona Apple, Laufey, and more piano pop girlies, gays, and theys. My influences come from all over — I don’t believe in bad genres. You can expect that I’ll always be expanding my sonic vocabulary and world in the future.

“Better” is the first single as Somebody Someone, and is already getting glowing reviews from places like American Songwriter. What was the process of writing and recording that song like and what made it a natural choice for your debut? Has the feedback been validating? 

The process, oooh buddy was there a PROcess. Writing it was a trip because I’d never written a song like this. It felt scary, but I think if you’re on the edge of discomfort you’re actually doing something right as long as you’re still in line with your core values. Sometimes we can be a little bit like spellcasters as songwriters. Those spells can even work on yourself, turns out, and when you give them to the world sometimes they work on other people. Good magic only of course, none of the dark stuff. No curses are being doled out here. I recorded it by myself at Sonic Ranch in between sessions. It felt like it had to come out.

The feedback since the release has absolutely been validating. I feel known, I don’t care too much about being seen, but I feel known by how people have responded and that’s a beautiful feeling.

It looks like the choices made for the “Better” video were very intentional. Can you talk about that? 

Absolutely. I’m a chronic overthinker and this video was a result of that. My co-director [Wil Kelly] and I actually shot another version before we shot this one. It wasn’t landing the way I wanted it to and I think I knew I had some grander images in mind.

From the moment I wrote this song I saw red curtains in my mind — the rest just fell into place. The yellow suit I wore was handmade by my grandmother before she passed. It felt like a great way to pay homage to someone who made me me. The woodland backdrop is a nod to my forever safe place — the woods and nature. The dancer represents an emotional journey and is also somewhat a nod to a way I used to make art for 20 years in the form of dance. The makeup is a direct symbol of the pain and different colors of emotions you have to go through to find the light again.

So yes, it was all VERY thought out. Haha.

The video is very focused on these beautiful visual aesthetics. Do you see visuals like this when writing all of your music or just for some songs? 

Sometimes it comes to me all at once like vision. It’s quite literally a multi-colored and sonic slap in the face and I write or voice memo like mad trying to get all the thoughts down as soon as possible. Other times it’s slow and gradual and after I’ve demoed a bit more or found a sonic landscape and palette to play with. I think in movies though, always have. I want to make more of them.

What are you hoping that listeners take away from your music and performances? 

I’m hoping that if someone is going through a time of pain or struggle that it helps to remind them that some things are best let go. We’re not always going to be everyone’s favorite flavor. You’re the one who has to look at yourself in the mirror at night and say I accept this and maybe even go so far someday as to say hey you know what I love this. Nobody’s perfect, myself included, and I think the journey to self-acceptance and self-love is not a straight and narrow path. It’s actually pretty windy. Like a walk through the woods.

What are your loftiest goals as an artist? 

To go live in the woods like a hermit and make music…just kidding. If I make something of myself I’d like to help other queer, disabled, and neuro-spicy-brained artists get their work out there. I’ve deconstructed from any organized religion, but I very much believe in giving back and forging community.

I think a pipe dream career looks like Dolly Parton’s — enough money to support the causes she truly cares about and develop programs to keep the arts in young people’s lives. So much about our world has leaned so virtual, I don’t think there are enough spaces where artists can get tactile with their craft and really work together in creative harmony. It would be absolutely incredible to be able to facilitate spaces like that.

This single leaves me wanting more. What is coming down the pipeline for you? 

We’re getting back into the studio in December and I hope to have new music as early as spring of 2025. The next big milestone goal is an LP and I am so excited for what’s to come. Until then keep on listening and keep your eyes peeled on the socials, or my humble email list, for more info and ways to support and maybe even participate.

Photos by Delaney Gibson Moon