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Photo: Elinor Kry

After releasing her debut EP Threads last year, pop darling Indy is embarking on the journey of her sophomore era. Her new single, the breezy summer breakup anthem “East Coast,” is a welcomed addition to the sad pop genre that depicts the end of a codependent relationship. Equating the push and pull of a bi-coastal lifestyle to a turbulent romance, Indy lets go of what no longer serves her in this melancholy bop. The melodies are instantly infectious and feelings are captured in magic, seeping through the vivid imagery of Indy’s signature poetic lyricism and the intentional sonic landscape.

We chatted with Indy about her new sound, new era, and what inspired “East Coast.”

Ones To Watch: It’s been over a year since you released your debut EP Threads, why is now the time to release “East Coast?” How is your approach to music different this time around? 

Indy: I turned 25 in November so that was a massive thing for me. I also got out of a really long, quite codependent relationship that took a lot of my identity. Post-breakup, I’ve never had so much clarity and when I wrote “East Coast,” that feeling stood out to me so much. I knew a lot of people could probably relate to the loss of identity after such a long relationship. Especially in your early 20s, as a woman, and especially going into summer. I wanted it to be played windows down with the rush of that chorus. When you write such a specific song, it almost tells you. It’s so present in the room and when you start to show people, you see their joy and that’s when you know it’s ready.

The production of this track represents the lyrics so perfectly. It literally feels like you’re flying. How did that sound come about?

One day my friend was blasting “Cool” by Gwen Stefani on her speakers. It gave me such an earworm and I thought, “How can I make a song like this but flip it, so we’re not cool?” It was definitely that.

The melody of this song is so addicting, one listen and it’s immediately stuck in your head. Take us through the writing process and how you crafted such a catchy track.

I worked on it with one of my best friends, Lizzy Land. We wrote “Threads” together so I really trust her. It was just me, her, and Wyatt Bernard, who’s an amazing producer. I went in there with a piano verse and the story in a short, succinct verse. And Wyatt started playing this '80s synth and I was saying “Oh god this is all in my head and I’m over it,” while Lizzy kept singing the melody. We had already written this really fast pre that was telling the story of this argument and this desperation when I literally stopped Lizzy mid-sentence and asked her to go on the mic and just mess around with the melody. We bounced back and forth together and, honestly, that demo came about in about two days. It was the same magic as “Threads,” scratching that itch of a feeling. Often songs like that are waiting to be written, they’re waiting to come out. In that room those songs guide you.

Pop music lovers always talk about how much they love a good bridge, but in “East Coast” your pre-choruses are like their own mini bridges. How important is song structure to you? Do you tend to follow a formula or break the rules a bit?

I like to break the rules. I’m a poet, so my strength is the verse and pre-chorus because I feel like I can enunciate the feeling. With “East Coast,” the verse is the situation, the pre-chorus is that impending argument desperation, and then the chorus is letting go of something that no longer serves you.

Any music or movies that inspired you while writing this track?

I was obviously going back and forth between coasts while writing it, and I was watching a lot of The O.C. and Gossip Girl, the soundtracks are impeccable. For songs, randomly “Better Off” by Ariana Grande and “You Get What You Give” by The New Radicals.

You said the track is about "the feeling of living out of a suitcase and sacrificing personal peace to pursue a career." What are some ways you protect your peace? 

This might be a niche one but no dating apps.

Actually, I’ve been hearing a lot of people talking about this recently! It’s a shift.

Also, because it’s about to get really hot in New York, I just got AMC Stubs. It’s really been helping my anxiety so much because I leave my phone at home, go to a random theater in the middle of the day, and I just watch a movie for two hours. Just sitting in the dark, snacks from CVS, it’s life-changing. It gets me out of my head. Also, only playing music to people I love and value. And being more specific with who I’m around and having a little less friends, because I’m a bit too social.

What are your favorite ways to connect with people who listen to your music? Any fan stories that stand out?

I have just started being cool about being online. It’s really fun. I’ve been doing this thing on TikTok live called “Indie with Indy,” where people who listen to my music hang out and show me music and I’ll play it. A few months ago that was how I was introduced to “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan. It’s really fun and it’s good because I don’t always have to talk about my music. I’m a listener first, so it’s awesome. A crazy fan story... in my apartment building, it’s a lot of younger people, and I was opening the door for someone. I was in six-inch heels and this guy looks at me, he said “Wait.” and I thought it was gonna be, you know, “sister of.” And he goes, “You’re Indy! I love 'Threads!'" I love when someone, like an NYU student, comes up to me in the park and is like, “I love ‘Hometown’” or another deep cut of mine.

Obviously you’re inspired by traveling and specifically living in New York City. What about the city inspires you the most?

New York has given me such a strong sense of identity. It’s really inspiring because of all the artists who came before me. I’m really into '80s history. But the fundamental difference is that I get really carsick. Like really bad. So anytime I’m in LA I walk as much as I possibly can. Since New York is a walking city, you’re forced to be around the vibrancy of people and restaurants, getting outside your own head and looking around. Also, New York has definitive seasons, LA is so beautiful and I love it but the sun shines so much. Sometimes I just need a rainy day. I need to be in my feelings without the pressure of the sun.

Is there anything you notice about East Coasters vs. West Coasters?

100%. People don't really name drop on the East Coast. Socially, East Coast people are more open. It’s more normal to go to a restaurant or bar alone, I always go and bring a book. I would feel a little more hesitant to do that in LA. Just different vibes at different times, I’m open to both.

I love that you can hear both in the song, the urgency of the East Coast and the chill vibes of the West Coast. They’re so intertwined.

Yes! Because the West Coast is also a big part of where I write music. Being there was really cathartic.

Who are your OnesToWatch? 

I really like Rachel Chinouriri and Grace Enger. There’s a New Zealand band I really like called Balu Brigada, they’re having a little moment. They’re really cool.

Lastly, are there any genres you’d like to try?

I’m definitely interested in specific artists. Like I’m really into The Japanese House, Holly Humberstone, Mk.Gee, and Dijon. I’d love to try something left leaning like slow piano, a little bit of drums kind of thing. To be honest, there are some songs that might see the light of day very soon that are what I want to try.