Los Angeles-based songstress and producer, fable, recently released her debut single called ‘Wild Unknown’, and we at Indie Top 39 instantly knew there was something rather special about her. She began production on the track all the way back in 2019, but some incredibly unique circumstances delayed the release all the way up until last month! We were so thrilled when she agreed to be interviewed by us, and talk to us about these circumstances, how she turns an idea into a song, and who, if given the chance, she’d love to collaborate with. Please welcome… fable.
Hello and welcome fable! We’re thrilled to introduce you to our audience! Could you tell us a little bit about your musical journey? What led you to where you are today?
Thank you for having me!
So, when I was growing up, people were just starting to make the transition away from CDs. The artists I listened to religiously on my little boombox were Kelly Clarkson and Vanessa Carlton.
From a young age, I always loved singing and performing for my family and stuffed animals and anyone who’d listen really.
fable
I joined my church and school choirs and started taking piano lessons. I also began songwriting! Songwriting was and still is like writing in a diary. However, I never considered making a career out of music until college.
I was in college for theatre, and my goal at the time was to be a voice actress (something I’d still love to do someday). I had a song I had written on the ukulele, and I decided to try to produce it for a course project. After showing it to a local producer, he sat me down and was like, “Dude. Why don’t you make a career out of this?” That’s what made me really shift gears into taking music seriously. Things didn’t work out with that producer, as I was craving a different sound and more creative control, so I decided to start learning how to produce my own stuff. A couple of years later and I still consider myself green to production, but I can hold my own.
I’m just going to come right out and say it – I’ve fallen pretty hard for ‘Wild Unknown’. It’s the “perfect” track in so many ways! What made you choose it as the very first song to introduce yourself to the world?
Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. ‘Wild Unknown’ is a very personal song, and it encapsulates the journey I’ve been on for the past few years. I took many risks. I moved to Los Angeles to begin my music career, and I began my first long-term relationship, which the song was inspired by. I had no idea what to expect when setting out on either of those adventures. There was a lot of uncertainty. It felt like the best song to signify the beginning of my musical journey as well.
I know that, production-wise, you worked alongside Chicago-based producer, DJ, and artist Chase Granat for ‘Wild Unknown’. How was that experience?
Chase is a gem! I worked with him while he was in LA. He’s so talented, encouraging, and kind. He primarily produces drum and bass, and he’d never worked with a pop artist before. It was a learning experience for both of us, and I couldn’t be more proud of what we created together. I can’t think of anyone I would’ve rather begun this journey with.
It was really fun sitting in a studio and tossing around ideas with him. “Let’s add bird sounds!” “How about an echo?” I can be a massive perfectionist when it comes to my music, and he made sure I was 100% happy with everything. Bless him, he’s patient! He taught me so much about production as well. Baby producers, get yourself a friend who will share their notes and samples with you.
A pretty scary “influence”, if you can call it that, was your surprise need to undergo brain surgery! If you’re comfortable of course, could you tell us a bit about this experience?
Sure! Well, around the fall of 2019, I started getting insane headaches every day. These headaches eventually turned into the mother of all migraines, a nerve in my brain spasmed, and my vision went double for a whole entire month. I got MRIs done, and was diagnosed with a pituitary cyst that had apparently been growing there my whole life! My friends named it Edmund. I was fortunate to be able to afford brain surgery, and so Edmund’s eviction was scheduled soon after. My surgeon was incredible. He was actually able to remove the cyst through my nose! Gross, I know. But I will say, he did a fantastic job picking my nose.
I read that the toll of the pandemic was one of the things that greatly influenced the song. Obviously, everyone had a different lockdown experience. How did the world shutting down affect you?
After surgery, I was at home recovering and taking some time for myself, and not a week later, the world started shutting down, and suddenly EVERYONE was at home taking time for themselves. I was let go from my job, and I was no longer able to see the friends I’d made. I was suddenly stuck in a living situation with my partner (at the time) and roommates, a place I had planned to leave soon after recovering. It was a rough time, as I’m sure it’s been for everyone. Art is one of the things that got me through it. I’m thankful I was able to take care of myself during that time and write more than I ever had before.
I’m always intrigued by artists who decide on lowercase lettering, be it in their name or their songs. will.i.am, k.d. lang for example. Is there a story behind your choice?
Not really. I just feel like a lowercase kind of person I guess. I’m a storyteller, nothing fancy.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process or processes? How does an idea of yours turn into a finished product?
Many songs I’ve written have begun with a tune, a phrase, or a theme that just pops into my head. I’ll often record whatever I think of in the voice memos app, then just start riffing and building off of it. It happens randomly, but more often late at night when I get myself into the writing headspace.
I had a hostess job once, and while I was standing there sanitizing menus I had a tune enter my brain.
fable
The shift was slow so I was able to write lyrics down on sticky notes, and then as soon as I had a minute I ran off to the bathroom to record it in an empty stall. If my old manager is reading this…sorry.
I’ve been writing for years, and I can think of many songs I’ve written that make me cringe in hindsight. Those will never see the light of day. But I figure that if you’re not cringing at your old work, you’re not improving.
Your music has been compared to early Glass Animals albums, and one blogger suggested it would fit perfectly on a playlist alongside Still Woozy. What other acts and musicians would you credit for shaping your overall sound?
I’d probably credit songwriters like Sara Bareilles and Vanessa Carlton for shaping my songwriting style, and artists like Jon Bellion, Lady Gaga, Owl City, and Melanie Martinez for shaping my sound. However, I like to experiment with a bunch of different genres. Inspiration is everywhere.
When you’re not creating music, what keeps you busy? Walk us through a day in the life of fable.
Oh wow, so many things. There are not enough hours in the day! I’m really into gardening, especially growing succulents. I also do digital illustration sometimes. And I recently started making my own jewellery out of polymer clay! I really need to stop picking up hobbies. If my brain is overloaded with music production for the day, you can find me doing one of the above.
What would being successful in the music industry look like to you? And how much importance do you place on something like this?
The goal is to be able to completely sustain myself as a musician and be successful enough to fund the shows and videos of my dreams.
Just being able to make music all the time would be living the dream, whatever that ends up looking like.
fable
If I stole your cell phone and opened Spotify (or your streaming service of choice), who would I see under your recently played section?
Right now you would see Kailee Morgue’s album Here In Your Bedroom, BETWEEN FRIENDS, and the white noise I fall asleep to.
OK, now it’s your turn to do the stealing! If you were allowed to “steal” one song in the world and claim it as your own, what would it be and why?
‘For Now’ by Kina Grannis makes me BAWL every time I hear it. It perfectly captures the fleeting beauty of the connections made on earth. “I am grateful just that I have been alive.” Me too, Kina. Me too :’)
You’re allowed to collaborate with one musician or band. Who do you choose?
Gaga 10000%. I’m obsessed with everything she creates, and I thought it was so cool how she released a Chromatica remix album showcasing smaller artists.
I know this is the first of many upcoming songs, and I can’t wait to hear what else you have in store! Other than that, what do you hope for in your musical future?
I’m definitely going to release as many full-length albums as I can in my career. I want to perform in countries all over the world, direct elaborate music videos, and write songs for TV and film. Baby steps though. You’ll be hearing some more singles first 😉
Make sure to connect with fable on Facebook » Instagram
