Senseless Optimism's interview at Medium Sized Backyard is exactly the kind of conversation you don't get from a press release - candid, self-aware, and full of unexpected turns. The artist born from a mission to "pay it forward" for what music did for her opens up about her new EP Painfully Pop, the unreleased track "Three Years Down," and why she had to unlearn everything biopics taught her about overnight success.
On the Name and the Mission
Medicine Box: Senseless Optimism - it's quite an interesting name. I'm just curious about the evolution of how we got there.
Senseless Optimism: When I chose the name, I was thinking about what effect I want to have on people. I started this project as a way to pay it forward for what music has done to me, and I think anybody who is a fan of music can relate to that. That's where the name comes from.
Medicine Box: When you say pay it forward for what music has done for you - what has music done for you, and who in music has kind of led you to this place?
Senseless Optimism: A lot of classic rock bands. I love Alice in Chains - some people might be offended that I call them classic rock, but I consider that classic rock. Alice in Chains, Nirvana, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin. If I was going to get a tattoo it would be them, although they're a little controversial these days, so I didn't. But those kinds of bands just gave me a purpose.
On Iggy Pop, James Brown, and Stage Energy
Medicine Box: Who would be your dream act to open for - let's do a few genres. Classic rock, at their peak, who would have been so sick?
Senseless Optimism: Iggy Pop.
Medicine Box: Love. Amazing.
Senseless Optimism: A lot of what I do on stage is very Iggy Pop or James Brown - just those kinds of people. Michael Jackson, obviously. Everyone's talking about him now.
Medicine Box: Have you seen that biopic?
Senseless Optimism: No. I hate watching biopics. When I first started music, I thought,
