In October, Blake took to the streets of London, her then-home, to promote her new single, “Worst Critic”, in an unconventional but endearing way.
The New Zealand-born pop singer-songwriter stuck posters around a city not particularly known for the warmth and kindness of its citizens featuring empowering slogans: “stop being so hard on yourself”; “give yourself more credit, for what you’ve become.”
Later, she surreptitiously set up a table near St. Paul’s Cathedral, inviting Londoners to write down something about themselves that they struggled with.
Blake’s unconventional promotion wouldn’t have seemed all that surprising to anyone who’s listened to her music, because empathy, kindness, and self-reflection form the heart of her genial pop songs.
“Worst Critic” was a standout track on her latest EP, I’m Doing Fine!, a declarative title that reflected the relatable feeling of telling oneself that everything will work out, even when one hasn’t fully figured it out just yet.
And, in many ways, Blake is doing fine indeed. She boldly took on the role of lead producer for the EP, an “empowering” decision that has helped to ensure a “sustainable future” for her as an artist.
I’m Doing Fine! has been garnering sizeable streams on Spotify, with middle track “Breakdown Breakthrough” being played over 60,000 times at the time of writing.
As the end of 2024 approaches, she already has lots of new music planned for the new year. As Blake told Rolling Stone AU/NZ, “Watch this space!”
Read her full interview as part of our Up-And-Coming Aotearoa Artists series below.
Blake’s I’m Doing Fine! is out now.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: How did music influence you in your early life?
Blake: Honestly, music wasn’t a big part of my early life! Growing up in Queenstown, I was much more focused on sports. It was a very outdoorsy upbringing and [I] threw myself into every sport I could. I enjoyed music but it wasn’t until later in high school I started writing/playing instruments.
What artists have influenced your music?
Amy Winehouse, Nelly Furtado, and The Fray were some of my biggest influences when I first started songwriting. I naturally gravitated toward artists who wrote great songs with a pop and soul edge. I started teaching myself piano at 16, using my older sister’s piano songbooks. Albums [and songs] like How to Save a Life by The Fray and Brooke Fraser’s “Arithmetic” became the foundation for my early songwriting. I also went through a pretty heavy drum and bass phase, absolutely loved Shapeshifter and wanted to be P Digsss for a hot minute.
When did you discover your passion for creating music?
I remember this moment so clearly. In high school we learned the chords Am and Em on guitar, and I was instantly hooked. I came home, grabbed my younger brother’s guitar, and played those two chords for hours. The next day, I asked my mum for guitar lessons, and I started writing songs almost right away.
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What are some career highlights so far?
One highlight was performing in London at a beautiful venue called Lafayette, alongside Jordan Rakei and NZ-based jazz artist Wallace. Another standout was performing on the mainstage at Rhythm and Vines in 2022. It was amazing to stretch out on a big stage like that – I surprisingly didn’t feel nervous. Sharing my songs in that setting felt incredible, and I’m excited for more festival performances in the future.
Tell us about your new EP. What themes did you explore on the record?
My new EP is a collection of my five favourite songs from the past two years. The themes range from social media addiction to self-criticism and sex dreams. Most of my inspiration comes from observing my own thoughts and behaviours. I like exploring themes that I haven’t written about before.
Do you have a favourite track from the EP?
It changes depending on my mood, but right now I’m really loving “Worst Critic”. It feels like a big hug to myself. I’ve always struggled with self-compassion, so it was nice to write something that reflects that. The music video is also special to me because it features my 92-year-old nana, Barb!
Did you feel pressure taking on lead production duties on the project?
Not really! I enjoyed the challenge and it helped build my confidence as a producer. I collaborated with other producers and engineers to finish some of the tracks, but it was really rewarding to take the lead on the project and explore different workflows.
Where in the world are you based these days?
I’m all over the place! This year I’ve spent time in the US, five months in London, a month in Auckland, and I’m currently in Arrowtown. I’ll be between here and Auckland for the summer, and hopefully back in London next year.
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What personality traits and values do you think are necessary for success in the music industry?
Resilience is key. You have to create and release music because you love it. There’s a lot of noise in the industry, and it’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go as planned. You need to keep pushing forward, be patient and keep focusing on your craft development!
How would you describe your music to a potential fan?
Relatable pop ballads with a soulful edge.
What are your goals for 2025 and beyond? What can fans expect from you next year?
Next year I want to release another EP, improve my production skills, play more shows! I also have an idea for a new artist project… watch this space!
