St. Vincent, a groundbreaking musician known for her innovative sound and self-produced work, discusses her latest album, All Born Screaming, and its Spanish-language counterpart, Todos Nacen Gritando. She shares insights into the challenging production process and her journey toward artistic integrity. St. Vincent also reflects on her experiences touring with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and her development of high-level taste while growing up in a pre-internet world. The conversation blends creativity, language, and the emotional connection of live performances.
St. Vincent's self-produced album 'All Born Screaming' showcases her creative independence and her commitment to a singular artistic vision.
The challenging production process involved experimental techniques and technology, allowing her to craft unique soundscapes that redefine her music.
Her extensive tour, featuring artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Nick Cave, enhances her connection with audiences, bringing her music to life through live performances.
Deep dives
St. Vincent's Creative Evolution
St. Vincent has reached new heights in her career, exemplified by her current world tour and the release of her self-produced album, 'All Born Screaming.' This is not only a milestone in her artistic journey but also an exploration of her creative independence. She has also released a Spanish-language version of the album, titled 'Todos Nacen Gritando,' which serves as a complementary experience rather than a replacement for the original. This marks a significant development, showcasing her commitment to reaching a broader audience while staying true to her artistic vision.
The Challenging Production Process
The production of 'All Born Screaming' was a strenuous endeavor for St. Vincent, filled with experimentation and learning. She employed unfamiliar technology, such as modular synths and vintage drum machines, which initially made the process daunting. St. Vincent described her approach as creating complex soundscapes and then extracting songs from these experiments, making it a reverse process compared to traditional songwriting. Despite the challenges, this approach allowed her to capture a unique aliveness in the music that distinguishes this album from her previous work.
Touring and Experiencing Connection
St. Vincent is currently on an extensive tour that has received critical acclaim, further enriching her connection with live audiences. The tour features notable artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Nick Cave, providing a diverse experience for fans. This live performance aspect has made her songs even more vital, as she gets to share them with her audience nightly. Each concert feels like a continuation of the album's life, giving her insights into how her music resonates with different people.
The Impact of Cultural and Artistic Influences
St. Vincent acknowledges that her upbringing and exposure to various art forms significantly shaped her artistic sensibilities. Growing up in the Midwest, she cultivated a high level of taste and artistic awareness, partly due to her family's influence in the arts and music. Her collaboration with artist Alex DeCorte on the album's visuals demonstrates her commitment to intertwining music with deeper artistic narratives. They visited sites like the Prado and drew inspiration from classic artists, ensuring that the album's visual representation matched its profound themes.
A Tribute to Spanish-Speaking Fans
The decision to create a Spanish-language version of 'All Born Screaming' stemmed from St. Vincent's desire to connect more deeply with her Spanish-speaking audience. After performing in various countries, she realized that many fans were singing her songs in English, despite it being a secondary language for them. This revelation prompted her to deliver her music in their language as a gesture of appreciation. Collaborating with her bilingual friend for translations allowed her to engage with these songs more thoughtfully, further enriching her understanding of their meanings.
2024 has been a career-defining year for St. Vincent. In April she released her self-produced seventh album, All Born Screaming. Then in November she released the Spanish language version of the same album, called Todos Nacen Gritando, as a tribute to fans she met in Spain and Latin America. The album doesn’t serve to replace the English language version, but instead supplements it brilliantly and provides a renewed listening experience. Of all the St. Vincent projects dating back to her debut album in 2007, this is the one that feels the most steeped in a singular vision
On today's episode St. Vincent talks to Justin Richmond at Amazon Music’s Studio 126about the difficult production process behind her latest release. She also sheds light on her experience touring the album, which continues well into the new year with some dates featuring Olivia Rodrigo and Nick Cave. And she talks about how she developed what she describes as her high-level taste despite growing up in the middle of the country pre-internet.
Check out the full video version of this episode HERE.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite St. Vincent songs HERE.