girlsweetvoiced Is the Joni Mitchell-Approved Singer to Watch

Welcome to SOUND ADVICE, Interview’s destination for playlists curated by our friends, enemies, and lovers. In recent weeks, we’ve featured playlists from Cannelle, Eera, and Eli. This week’s installment comes courtesy of girlsweetvoiced, the Canadian-born singer whose viral webcam videos grabbed the attention of millions of indie-pop-lovers worldwide, including living legend Joni Mitchell. Which explains how she managed to get a sample of “California” personally cleared by Mitchell for the melodic single “Tonight”—an exceedingly rare stamp of approval for any rising artist. Today, girlsweetvoiced is transcending her charming bedroom tapings with the release of her heartfelt debut album, Lovesweet. The record is packed with cozy, intimate vocals and vibrant lo-fi beats, creating the ideal soundtrack for warm summer picnics or late-night, contemplative walks. To celebrate its release, she compiled a mixtape of songwriting that inspires her, from Prince and Fleetwood Mac to Lana Del Rey.

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What was your first thought when your TikTok webcam videos went viral?

It was, and is, surreal. It was kinda funny at first because all of it was just happening on my phone. So I’d show up to my job at the time and try to tell people about it, and they’d be like “ok…?” It was super grounding and kept me from getting too wrapped up in it. But I’m also so lucky that I get to do music as my job now instead of folding clothes lol. 

Headphones of choice? 

Honestly, wired Apple headphones. 

What song on this playlist warms your soul? 

“Portrait of Tracy” by Jaco Pastorius. 

Favorite Joni Mitchell track? 

OMG. This is so hard to answer, but I’ll say “Hejira.” The writing and the music never fails to astonish me. I have a spiritual experience every single time. 

What’s the vibe for this summer? 

Going on walks, picnics, hanging with friends, good music and food. How every summer should be 🙂

Where do you make your music? 

More often in studios now since I’m out of my apartment and spending more time in LA. My bedroom is definitely where I can get the most honest though. 

What does Lovesweet mean? 

I’ve always loved this particular use of language like “white-hot,” “candy-sweet,” so I made my own. Kind of similar to the structure of girlsweetvoiced too. It really phonetically connected with what I felt I was crafting with this project. 

Who are your style icons? 

Björk, PJ Harvey, Rihanna, Chloë Sevigny, Daniel Day Lewis, and Sade to name a few.

What album is playing in heaven? 

To be completely honest, Positions (Deluxe) by Ariana Grande. 

What song on this playlist makes you cry? 

“Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac. That piano is impossibly gorgeous. Even though it’s a beautifully written love song, I feel this sense of heartache whenever I listen to it. The “I love you, I love you, I love you, like never before” always makes me wanna cry, it’s just so sweet and perfect.

What does your Notes app look like? 

Grocery lists, to-do lists, random words or phrases that I see on the street or that pop into my head.

Describe your new album in three words. 

Warm. Exploratory. Sweet.