Ingrid Andress FAULT Magazine Covershoot and Interview

Ingrid Andress’ brand new album ‘Good Person’ has only released today and already fans and new listeners are falling further in love with the record. The three time Grammy nominated artist has already proven her expert ability to convey emotion through song, and this album is certainly no different. 

We caught up with Ingrid to discuss the record, her process and of course, her FAULTs. 

What would you say was the biggest difference between Good Person and your debut?

Ingrid Andress: Oh man, so much! There was a lot of life that happened during the years after my debut album got released, mostly in my personal life. I feel like Good Person goes a lot deeper lyrically than I did in the first album, and I think I explored a lot more territory sonically with the production on this one. The goal is to always learn and grow, and I feel like this album showcases how much I’ve grown as a writer, producer, and human being. And there are happy songs on this album! So that’s new for me!

With all the success of ‘Lady Like’, did you feel added pressure to match and surpass that album with this new release?

Ingrid Andress: Not at all. I know a lot of artists look at albums as challenges to outdo themselves, but I view them more as chapters of my life. Each album represents where I’m at in my life at that moment, so I don’t view something as “better” or not, it just “is.” I enjoy having creative freedom, and I think putting that kind of pressure on yourself is a disservice to you and your art. You just gotta write about what’s speaking to you and if people like it, great. If they hate it, great. It’s exactly the project you wanted to make either way.

What would you say is the message you want to communicate with this album?

Ingrid Andress: The overall theme of this album is dark vs light. You really can’t have one without the other, and that’s just the way life is. But going through dark times makes the light times even lighter, and you learn to start embracing the ups and downs as a part of life’s journey instead of dreading them. Sometimes it’s healthy to sit in discomfort so it can propel you into a better direction. We all obviously went through a dark two years, and I’m hoping this album shows that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

You co-produced and co-wrote all 12 tracks on the album, do you find that continuously drawing from your own experiences has helped you navigate those experiences?

Ingrid Andress: Yes, very much so. Writing is my way of processing my emotions, and sometimes I don’t even know I’m feeling a certain way until I write about it. For example, I wrote “Seeing Someone Else,” without really thinking it was about me and my relationship, and then I listened to it a few days later and was like “Wait. I do actually feel this way. Uh oh.” The subconscious has a way of peaking it’s head through while you’re in a creative headspace.

Does this release feel like the closing of the chapter on that part of your life, or do you feel there’s still more you want to express through song?

Ingrid Andress: As of now, it does feel like the end of that chapter of my life. After I wrote “Pain,” I felt a sense of closure that I hadn’t felt in a long time, so ever since then I haven’t felt the need to write anymore about that era of my life. Which is very relieving honestly. Now that I feel closure, I have more space in my brain to think about other concepts or things that I want to write about that are more current.

People often describe your voice as hypnotic, do you get the same feeling when you listen to your own music or are you too hyper aware of your own voice to drift off with the music?

Ingrid Andress: Hmm, that’s an interesting question. Normally when I’m listening to my music, it’s because I’m vocal producing myself or figuring out ways to make the track sound better. But after I first write a song and listen to it a couple days later, I can sometimes drift away in it since I’m not producing it at that moment and because it’s new. But most of the time I’m just focusing on the technicality of it all.

Emotionally, what was the hardest song for you to write on this album?

Ingrid Andress: “No Choice” was probably the most emotionally draining day of this entire album. I was very raw and you can hear it in my voice in several moments of the song. My instinct was to not include it on the album because it’s so personal, but I’m at a point in my life now where I think being vulnerable shows more strength than it does weakness. If you have the guts to be real with people, that is something everyone respects and can ultimately relate to more because it’s true.

When you look back on your musical journey, what’s been the best advice you have ever received?

Ingrid Andress: Best advice I received and learned first hand is that you’re going to get a lot of “no’s” in the beginning, but it only takes one “yes” to get everything started. It’s easy to get discouraged by constant rejection, but the only person who has to like what you’re doing is you. If you believe in it, there is someone else out there who does too. You just gotta find them.

What is your FAULT?

Ingrid Andress: Ah, where to begin…just kidding. Sort of. My FAULT would be how stubborn I am. It’s helpful in some cases, but most of the time it just makes you look like an asshole. So I’m working on that.