- Words Maria Mukaranda
With her latest release, 'Attention', Georgia Webster masterfully invites listeners into a world where heartbreak transcends the everyday mundane, and the pursuit of attention takes an audacious turn.
Hailing from the quaint confines of western Massachusetts, where stoplights are a rarity and the population rivals that of a small concert venue, Georgia Webster‘s upbringing in the town of Hampden laid the foundation for her vivid imagination and early foray into songwriting. Now, two years into her Nashville chapter, the singer-songwriter unveils a musical narrative that navigates the tumultuous aftermath of love lost.
‘Attention’ is an emotive ballad; it’s a kaleidoscope that has what could be described as an Olivia-Rodrigo-esque audacity, where Webster cranks the volume of her emotions up to 11. The song is an immersive experience, weaving through hypothetical and delusional post-breakup thoughts that range from crashing cars to shark encounters. Heartache transforms into an eccentric spectacle, captivating audiences with its twists and turns.
‘Attention”s narrative makes for a bit of a rollercoaster: the lyrics, a pithy short story, a sojourn in the liminal space between reality and imagination, seem sure to resonate with many who have experienced similar. It’s a song that beckons you to explore the songwriter’s mind.
As Georgia Webster embarks on a headlining acoustic tour, beginning in Nashville, ‘Attention’ becomes more than a song; it’s an emblem of an artist both talented and intuitive. Webster is poised to capture the attention of audiences far and wide, proving that her journey from the small-town imaginings of Hampden to the vibrant stages of Nashville is just the prelude to a saga yet to unfold.
You have a genre-blending approach – can you share some of the artists or genres that have inspired your musical style, especially with this latest release?
For sure! I feel like I’ve been finding some super inspiring stuff lately… I’ve been into an artist called Griff. I would say she’s “pop” but her production is just so insanely cool and fresh. I also really love The Japanese House’s new album and have been playing that a ton.
Your song ‘Attention’ delves into what seems to be the archetypal sort of hypothetical and delusional thoughts following a breakup. Can you walk us through your creative process when it comes to translating personal experiences into songwriting? How do you navigate the line between reality and imagination in your music?
So I actually didn’t write this one! It’s a funny story but basically Emily Weisband, who co-wrote the song with Laura Veltz and Sam Ellis, played it for me after helping me write a couple of the songs on the project. She was like, “I feel like this song is so you. I feel like you need to hear it.” And played it for me and I nearly fell out of my chair! I never thought I’d put out a song I didn’t write but the level of emotion this song brought out of me.. I would have felt stupid passing up that opportunity. But I think, to answer your question, one of the reasons I love this song so much is because it navigates that line of reality and imagination so beautifully. It’s like, I obviously don’t want to crash my car or get bit by a shark but the feeling of wanting someone’s attention SO BAD that your mind wanders off into these crazy made-up scenarios is absolutely so real.
How do you feel your sound has evolved with ‘Attention’, and what aspects of your artistry have you intentionally pushed to new heights since your previous releases?
Well I’m working with a new producer, King Henry, and it’s been super cool getting to collaborate with him and experiment with new sounds and different vibes for the project. Vocally, I think I’ve grown a lot since the last stuff and that’s been something I’ve been trying really hard to push myself to new heights with.
What led to the decision to present this particular song in an acoustic style, and how do you think it enhances the emotional impact of the track?
Well the demo was acoustic so that was one thing… I absolutely loved and still do love the demo and I wanted to keep that same energy and emotion that I felt when I first heard it. I also really wanted the bridge to stand out and keeping it more on the acoustic side allowed us the space to build the bridge up and make it epic.
Are there specific lines, musical arrangements, or aspects of the production in ‘Attention’ that hold special significance for you, and if so, why?
The live drums were something we actually added super last minute after we had already sent the song to mix and everything… it was Henry’s idea and I was a little hesitant at first because I liked it so much already without them. We decided to give it a shot and if we didn’t like them, we’d just stick with the version we already had, but once I heard the song with live drums on there it was a game changer. They just add so much power and energy, especially in the bridge I think.
Starting your headlining acoustic tour in Nashville must be an exciting experience. How do you feel about taking your music on the road, and what can fans expect from your live performances, especially in an acoustic setting?
I am so excited. I actually did my first headline show at this little venue in Nashville called The Basement. It sold out and was just above and beyond what I expected out of my first show. We did a semi-acoustic vibe, so I had a bassist, guitarist and cojone player. The live versions are way more stripped than the actual recordings, which I think gives it a much more authentic and intimate feel. I like to talk a ton too so fans should expect that. Lots of stories.
Growing up in a small town like Hampden seems to have played a significant role in shaping your imagination and love for songwriting. How has your upbringing influenced your musical journey, and do you find any specific themes from your hometown woven into your lyrics?
I think growing up in a super small town with 4,000 people has forced me to be creative when it comes to music and just life in general.. there really wasn’t much to do in our town so songwriting was my only real hobby. I also gigged as a way to make money throughout high school at little cafes and bars and stuff. That definitely gave me some experience playing live just me and my guitar.
After moving, how has the music scene in Nashville contributed to your growth as an artist, and what aspects of your craft have you refined during your time there?
Oh wow. Well, I’ve definitely done a lot of growing since moving here. I think it took me a while to find myself again after I had been here for a while, because there’s so many amazing writers here that are all so different. I think it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is writing and what they want you to say or think you should say. I’ve found a handful of collaborators here that I really trust, that have helped me find my voice and sound over this past year which I’m so grateful for.
Spending most of your time in your imagination as a kid sounds like a fascinating foundation for creativity. How do you tap into that imaginative space when crafting your music today, and do you find any challenges in balancing creativity with the practical aspects of being a musician?
This is something I’ve actually been really trying to focus on lately. As amazing as it is to be able to be a musician full time, it’s definitely stressful having to meet certain deadlines and expectations on the business side of things. I’ve been trying to let myself fail lately, like in the writing room specifically. I feel like I’m super hard on myself when I write and it’s so counterproductive, because the only times I’ve ever gotten something I love were the times I didn’t give a shit who would like it or not. All that mattered was that I liked it and that it made me feel something.
How do you connect with your fans on a deeper level, and what role do you see them playing in the evolution of your musical journey?