Emerging as a captivating force in the alt-pop scene, Genevieve Stokes is an artist whose unique sound and introspective lyrics resonate deeply with listeners. Born and raised in the picturesque landscapes of Portland, Maine, Stokes first discovered her love for music at the tender age of eight when she taught herself to play the piano. Drawing inspiration from iconic female musicians like Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor, she began crafting her own style, infusing her compositions with personal narratives that explore the complexities of life and the human experience.
With the release of her debut album, With a Lightning Strike, out October 2024, Stokes stands on the brink of a major milestone in her career. The album arrives after the success of her earlier EPs, Swimming Lessons and Catching Rabbits, both of which showcased her ability to blend lush melodies with poignant lyrics. Stokes describes With a Lightning Strike as a reflection of her evolving relationship with herself and her spirituality, stating, “I think of spirituality as the foundation of everything.” This introspective lens informs the album’s duality, with tracks that oscillate between chaotic energy and moments of deep reflection.
Recently, Stokes released two new singles, “Desert Eagle” and “Amusing,” each accompanied by visually stunning visualizers. These tracks serve to illustrate the album’s range, revealing both the exuberance and the depth that define her artistry. “Since I experimented with so many different sounds on the album, I wanted to put out ‘Desert Eagle’ and ‘Amusing’ at the same time to show the drastic ends of the spectrum,” she explains. This experimentation speaks to her growth as an artist, particularly as she navigated a personal mental health crisis that influenced much of her writing.
A significant turning point during the album’s creation came after a transformative acid trip, which left Stokes grappling with intense paranoia and out-of-body experiences. This tumultuous period in her life is poignantly captured in her lyrics and the album’s artwork, which features a lightning bolt striking a lighthouse—a symbol of both safety and her Maine roots. The Tower tarot card she pulled shortly before this experience served as a prophetic warning of the upheaval to come, deeply impacting her creative process and thematic exploration throughout the album.
Stokes is not just an artist but a storyteller who captures the essence of her experiences through music. From navigating mental health challenges to celebrating the beauty of her Maine roots, her songs offer listeners a glimpse into her world.
In this exclusive interview with Indira Cesarine for The Untitled Magazine, Genevieve Stokes delves into her creative process, the inspiration behind her new music, and the challenges she faced while crafting With a Lightning Strike. With her authenticity and passion for storytelling at the forefront, Stokes invites us to join her on this journey of self-discovery and artistic expression, revealing the powerful connection between her music and her life. As we sit down with this rising star, we look forward to uncovering the stories behind her captivating new work and the bright future that lies ahead.
Indira Cesarine: You grew up in Maine – can you tell us what your childhood was like? I understand you taught yourself piano at the age of 8 years old. Was your family also musical or what your life like growing up?
Genevieve Stokes: My parents love music but they’re not musicians. My dad introduced me to Regina Spector’s music, who was my favorite artist as a kid, and my family has always been super supportive of my music. I think they just recognized how passionate I was about it and wanted to help in any way they could.
Your debut album, With a Lightning Strike, is set to release on October 4th. What emotions are you feeling as you approach this milestone in your career? Can you tell us what inspired the title?
I feel excited in a distant sort of way. I can’t process everything right now, but I am so proud of this project and I’m looking forward to hearing what people think of it.
You mentioned that your album explores your relationship with yourself and spirituality. Can you elaborate on that for us?
I think of spirituality as the foundation of everything. The way I perceive reality and give it meaning completely affects the things I write about and the way I live my life.
You’ve described the album as having a mix of chaotic and introspective songs veering between anguish and euphoria – can you share more on these contrasts in your music and how they work together?
I was super moody and unstable when I started writing the album, so a lot of my songs kind of contradict each other and express very different emotions. It’s also written over the course of a few years, so many songs are about the same things but from different perspectives.
How would you personally describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?
It’s like a haunted house in Maine next to the ocean.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? Do you have any rituals that prepare you for getting in the mood for writing?
I try to sit at my piano everyday and write even if I’m not in the mood. I wrote most of my album on the piano in my parents’ garage. It feels like I’m writing outside because the garage is uninsulated and falling apart which can be surprisingly peaceful.
What was the inspiration behind your lead single, “Dreamer,” and how does it fit within the context of the album?
I wanted to write something upbeat and fun and felt like summer. It’s a littlnostalgic and bittersweet and I thought it would be an unexpected way to start the album.
You recorded much of the album in your childhood home. How did being back in that familiar space shape your creative process compared to your previous experiences in LA and New Orleans?
I’m glad I recorded my last project in LA so I could fully rule it out as an option, but being in Maine is definitely a crucial part at this point. I want my songs to feel alive and capture the feeling of the space around me, I think it brings a subtle magic to the songs.
How does your upbringing in Maine influence your music and artistic identity today?
I feel like I’m too close to my own experiences to answer that question, but I’d say it manifests in a kind of intangible feeling in the songs. I also shoot most of my photos and covers in Maine, so that’s a more obvious connection.
Can you recall a specific moment in your musical journey that significantly influenced your path as an artist?
Choosing to not go to college was huge for me. I had always planned on getting a degree, but I met my manager my senior year of high school and he convinced me to take a gap year to pursue music. Having that year to reflect on who I was outside of school was crucial. I ended up just never going to college.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while recording With a Lightning Strike, and how did you overcome them?
Perfectionism. I worry about my songs sounding too polished or losing their original feeling, but that can lead to me being too controlling. I’ve been working on being a better collaborator while also maintaining a clear vision for my music.
Your longtime collaborator, Tony Berg, co-produced this album. What has he brought to your music that you feel has been particularly impactful in this project?
He has great taste. I love the musicians he works with and how passionate he is in the studio. I love his mixing engineer Will Maclellan as well, he played a major role in the album.
You’ve shared that some lyrics stemmed from a personal mental health crisis. How did that experience influence your songwriting and the overall tone of the album?
I’ve learned to have more empathy for myself and mental health struggles in general. I’ve been “crazy” before, and I have a lot of compassion for people who have lost their way in life or feel out of control. I wrote a lot of the songs as if I were my own therapist or big sister.
Can you share more details on the acid trip and tarot card that influenced your album-making process and artwork?
The album is more about the months after my bad trip, where I was having out of body experiences and severe paranoia. I remember pulling the tower card right before the trip and wondering what it meant. Now I believe it was a card of warning, signaling that my mental world was about to change drastically.
How do you feel your sound has evolved from your first EP Swimming Lessons, to your debut album With a Lightning Strike?
My music has become a lot more cinematic and singular. I’ve spent the past few years honing in on my writing and learning about production, and although I’m always learning, my vision is clearer now.
What other musicians have inspired you? Can you elaborate on how you find their music influential?
Fiona Apple’s writing and production on her most recent album Fetch the Bolt Cutters was a huge inspiration. That record is so personal and raw, it’s one of my favorites of all time. Also Frank Ocean’s Blonde is a forever inspiration. It’s so emotional and stripped and real. I just love artists that are honest and write from the heart.
Do you have a favorite track on the new album? If so, what makes it special to you?
It changes a lot but I always come back to Lost Forever Now. It just feels like fall and the ocean at night.
Your upcoming With a Lightning Strike Tour will be your biggest headline run yet. How do you plan to convey the album’s themes and emotions through your live performances?
I want to keep the set very simple and classic looking. I’m still figuring out the stage design, but I’m super excited for the new setlist.
Looking ahead, what can we look forward to next from you? Any plans after the tour?
I really hope to tour internationally soon!
For more from Genevieve Stokes follow on Instagram, Youtube, TikTok
Photography by Indira Cesarine @indiracesarine @icphotoarchive
Featuring: Genevieve Stokes @chowdergiirl
Fashion Stylist: Kris Fraser @krisfashion1
Make-up: Brian Duprey @brianduprey for MAC Cosmetics at Judy Casey
Hair Stylist: Alberto Guzman @albertoguzmanhair @raybrownpro
Photo Assistants: Benjamin Kim, Patrick Lespinasse
