Floyd is a lifelong learner and seeker, an advocate of clean living, and believes that the greatest relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself
Interview conducted on July 13, 2020
Floyd is a singer, songwriter, and author from the Bay Area. With roots from Olympia, Washington, and influences ranging from country to grunge, her indie-pop style brings raw emotion, honest lyrics, and appreciable energy
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest; we moved around a few times.
What did you leave Olympic WA for the Bay Area?
I moved to the Bay Area with a boyfriend right after high school – Olympia is a small town – and even smaller at that time. We both really wanted to experience the California lifestyle, whatever we thought that was in our minds!
How did you discover music?
The radio, really. Top 40 was always on, and MTV and VH1, back when they were playing music videos!
How did you start to write music?
I was taking piano lessons when I was twelve, and voice lessons, too. My parents bought me a little keyboard, so I could practice at home, and I started writing songs – sometimes when I should’ve been practicing. It came naturally to me, it just happened and I loved it.
How did you get your first guitar and do you still have it?
I didn’t start playing guitar until I was 17. I moved to the Bay Area when I was 18 and drove to Black Market Music in San Francisco, they have all sorts of vintage gear, and I bought a used Takamine acoustic. It became my everything guitar, the only guitar I had for a few years, so I used it for both songwriting and performing. I still have it today.
Do you have a favorite guitar now, and what is it name?
Yes, my Taylor acoustic and my Rickenbacker electric.
How did you come up with your name?
I wanted a name that had meaning to me; Floyd is a family name and reminds me to live with courage, humility and grace.
What was your first performance at like?
My first solo performances were at open mics and clean and sober clubs, because that’s the only place I could play when I was 12. I would sing with accompaniment tapes because I didn’t play guitar yet. I’m sure they weren’t that great – LOL!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first song I ever wrote was called Straight Talk. I did not record it.
Tell me about the making of your latest video “What Do You Say”?
First, it was an incredible day, with an amazing group of professionals and the insane beauty of San Francisco. It was impossible not to feel inspired. I wanted something simple, with a lot of scenic beauty to really drive the message of the song that there is always something beautiful happening if we choose to look for it.
What is your favorite track on the album?
That’s hard to choose since I like all of them for different reasons. But, probably Sorry Sorry Boy, which will be out late summer.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
I’ll have to let you know – I have yet to tour!
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I miss the old days of going to the record shop or cd store and spending hours sorting through albums and singles. But there’s no doubt that streaming has opened the doors for so many more artists, including myself, so over all I think it’s good.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both.
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
Things have to change. I 100% support it.
At the time of your show at The Lost Church with the Music City West Writers Round, it was postponed because of the virus. What were you thinking at that time?
I was bummed it was postponed, but believe it was the right call. These are unprecedented times and we all need to be able to flex right now.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Well, it’s completely impacted the ability to play in front of a physical audience. We can still do live shows over the internet, but we all are missing out on the experience of witnessing a live show; feeling the energy of the crowd and the energy of a performer. Like everyone, I can’t wait until we figure out how to treat Covid and we can go back to connecting in person.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Writing music and working on collaborations with other musicians over the internet. I’m trying to figure out how to edit videos better so I can post more content.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Unfortunately, no!
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. What are you planning to do?
I have some things in the works in terms of live performances online; I want to do them less often as I think they become more meaningful.
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I think it depends on the artist and their fan base. If an artist has a large following and people are willing to pay to watch, then it’s reasonable the artist could make some money. It continues to be difficult though to make a full-blown living off of just music…. though not impossible!
Live Nation is starting to do the first ever U.S. drive-in concert series — LIVE FROM THE DRIVE-IN — This will bring fans a live music tailgating experience unlike any other, kicking off July 10-12 in Indianapolis, IN, Nashville, TN, and St. Louis, MO. Brad Paisley will headline performances in all three cities, marking the start of a much anticipated return to in person live events. Darius Rucker and Jon Pardi will also headline the series. Is this something you would be willing to do?
Absolutely! And I love the idea.
For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?
I think you have to be in music because you love it. If you make money, great, but it you don’t, the experience of playing and creating music has to be enough.
In addition, at the present time for a band to go on tour from one state to another they may need to self-quarantine for 14 days. How is that going to work?
I have no idea – I bet that’s not happening a lot right now.
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it might be the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
Yes, at least until there’s a vaccine.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Ha! Would love to see it – but we probably have better things to try and figure out as a society.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
Building a bigger audience, turning out more EPs and albums, finding more opportunity to get my music out in the world.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Whatever it is you want, go get it. Life is short and time waits for no one. Don’t make excuses, just do it.
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