Tones and I talks Ur So F**kInG cOoL remix in FAULT Magazine Covershoot and Interview

Wednesday 23rd September 2020

Interview: Miles Holder

While Tones and I’s rise in popularity following the release of ‘Dance Monkey’ is often described as “meteoric”, we mustn’t forget the ten years of grinding on the local circuit it took to get to this point. In March of this year, Tones and I released ‘Can’t Be Happy All The Time’, a vulnerable track that chronicled her rise to fame and the often untold turmoil that comes with it. In May, Tones and I released ‘Ur So F**kInG cOoL’, inspired by self-absorbed attendees of a party she attended. With the release of last week’s newly released remix featuring blackbear still ringing in our ears, we caught up with Tones and I to discuss her success, her writing and of course, her FAULTs.

“UR SO F**KING COOL” is about an experience FAR too common in the music world. How do you balance being an artist rebelling against the media machine whilst also being forced to create art within it?

Tones and I: I have never rebelled against people that want to create a platform based on their true beliefs. What I do rebel against are people that have no depth, no authenticity and want to create something based on a current trend.

Artists trying to break through into the industry often find themselves being morphed into something that doesn’t fit their personal artistic flair. As an artist who has found success by being true to themselves, what advice would you give to emerging talent?

Tones and I: Imagine looking back at yourself in 40 years knowing that you sold out for money or fame, in the end your music will reflect that. So write music that you will look back and be proud of and that you want your children to be proud of.

Emotionally what’s been the hardest song to write from your catalogue of music?

Tones and I: Probably the album that I’m currently writing because I’ve never written with expectations before and the thoughts of fighting off what people think versus writing what I believe in divides me every single day.

You’ll be heading out on tour in April, with 2020 being such a hard year for your industry, how does it feel to have actual gig dates in the diary?

Tones and I: With all honesty, I won’t believe it until I’m boarding a flight. These last 6 months have been the hardest 6 months of my life including before I was busking and there’s so much focus around when people will be able to go out again to restaurants etc. but no-one is talking about when artists will be able to play a show again festivals etc. So honestly there’s no way of knowing what it will be like.

Your schedule was very hectic around the release of Dance Monkey and you never really stopped. With the lockdown making us all pause for a moment, have you had a chance to reflect on how impactful the song was?

Tones and I: Yes, still can’t really grasp it, having one of my first songs be one of the biggest songs of all time. I’ve more just focused on putting that behind me and focussing on new music and my album.

You Can’t Be Happy All the Time is such a truthful and vulnerable track, with the internet being full of sharks ready to tear artists with grievances down, were you ever apprehensive to release something so open?

Tones and I: Yes, initially I was before I released this song along with Bad Child I have never actually released a song that was so personal. But I wasn’t going to start my career being boxed in as a pop writer.

What’s something no journalist has ever asked you but is something you’ve always wanted to say or discuss?

Tones and I: Nothing really, I don’t like talking… I like singing!

If you could go back to the start of your career and leave yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Tones and I: Stay off social media and live your life.

What is your FAULT?

Tones and I: I overthink things a lot, I get bored really easily and I also get overwhelmed pretty easily.