hemlocke springs, all lowercase
Notes on instinct, performance, and becoming something in real time.
Before going on stage at Treefort Music Fest, I got to spend time with hemlocke springs — talking nerves, instinct, and becoming something in real time. You probably know her from “girlfriend” — the song with That Bridge™. Or perhaps you caught her while she was on tour with Chappell Roan!
The name might be lowercase — the presence is not.
When did hemlocke springs click for you? When were you like, “Oh, this is the project that’s going to take me there”?
Honestly, I think I’m still kind of like, wow, this is really cool.
It was a natural progression. Probably around “girlfriend” was when I was like, okay, this is it. I was like, “Yeah, let’s go.”
It’s really nice to be able to say, this is my role, this is my job. I feel very lucky in that aspect.
Where does the name “hemlocke springs” come from?
One day, I used a random name generator, and things just built from there.
What was making “girlfriend” like?
Pretty chill, honestly. I miss that.
That’s sort of what I miss about making songs nowadays — nobody was really on my coat. I didn’t have a label back then, so I could just make something with no additional pressure.
Not that pressure is bad, but it’s new. Back then it was just, oh, I’ll do this song because I think it’s catchy, and I’ll release it and see what happens.
Congratulations on your debut album, the apple tree under the sea! Favorite song?
I’d say it’s probably be the girl! I kind of poured everything I had into that song.
I was really happy with how it sounds like the end of a film — fades to black. I was like, oh, this is what I want me to be playing.
What’s your favorite song to perform?
Honestly, “girlfriend.” It’s my most popular song. It’s almost easy — I can pull it out of the back of my pocket.
When you wrote that bridge, were you like, “I’m just going to do the damn thing”?
I was just like, oh, I like this. I didn’t think too hard about it. And I feel like that’s the way I need to go — I can’t think too hard about things.
If you had to name three artists who inspired hemlocke, who would they be?
I always put Avicii on there. I listened to a lot of Christian music growing up, and then in middle school I saw one of Avicii’s music videos and got into a very deep electronic phase. I credit him for that because I love that kind of music. It really got me out of my shell musically.
I always say Kate Bush too. I love what she does with her voice. I love how many different avenues she pushed musically, and how much she’s inspired so many artists across genres.
She’s one of those epicenter people. And I’m constantly amazed by the fact that she wrote and produced so much of her work. Like on The Dreaming, on Hounds of Love — that was all her. That’s crazy to me.
And then another one I don’t say a lot is Tears for Fears.
They’re such quintessential ’80s people, but what I really want to recreate is the feeling they give me. It’s like being transported. Like you’re in a car, sunroof open, and you’re just ahhh.
I sent a new song to my boyfriend a few days ago, and he said, “I really hear hemlocke in this.” That means you’ve established a sound people can trace.
Oh, that’s awesome. Thank you.
My favorite thing in the world is color. Tell me about your relationship with color.
I feel like we’re in a bleak world, so color just adds a little pizzazz to life.
I’m really a pink, blue, and purple person. This is going to sound deep, but I feel like I have a deep relationship with color.
Even today, I was wearing a pink Snoopy sweatshirt, and I was having anxiety about the set, but I was like, yeah, no, I can do this. I put on my pink Snoopy shirt, I got my black and white earrings, I made everything mismatched, and I can tackle the day.
What goes through your head before a performance?
“Don’t mess up. Don’t mess up.” I’m joking… kind of.
When you’re having fun, the audience will have fun. That’s what I try to instill in my brain nowadays.
This is actually the first kind of show I’ve done since touring with Conan and Chappell, so I’m relearning how to do that — just go out there and have fun, and be the person you want to see on stage.
Sort of… be the girl?
Literally. Exactly.
One Hour Photo Creative Production: Carly Kane
Special thank you to Eli Kramer, Reid Kutrow, & Megan Manowitz
↓ UNLOCK HEMLOCKE’S JUICY TIDBIT FOR $2 ↓
One additional photo from the shoot 🫧🩵💖💜