CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS 161: GYPSY LEE ON SNITCHES AND BREAKUPS
Interview by Brooke Gibbs
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Congratulations on the release of Snitches. How are you feeling now that it's out there in the world?
GYPSY LEE: Very good. It's been such a long process getting this one together, so, yeah, it's a very relieving feeling to have it out. It's very nice.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Absolutely. And it feels like a really defining moment for you. Did it feel like a turning point while you were creating it, or did that realisation come after?
GYPSY LEE: Well, it's funny because I wrote it quite a while ago, before even most of the songs on my first EP, and I knew that I had something different and I was really excited about it. But I think over time and over, like, working out the production and as well, just different feelings about how the song came about, it definitely turned into something that I was very excited for. Especially for this next era. I guess there's a lot to work with. So, yeah, it's pretty fun and it's exciting.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: I think that excitement comes through because there's a real sense of confidence in this track. So how would you describe the version of yourself that we are hearing in Snitches?
GYPSY LEE: I think probably a lot more confident, and kind of accepted I am who I am. When I first wrote it, I was, like, very scared about saying anything, or kind of speaking up in general. Very much a people pleaser. And then now I feel just a little bit more in control of my life and that I can say what I want to say. So, yeah, definitely more confident now than when I first wrote the song.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: And you describe this as coming from your first breakup, and, you know, as much as breakups suck – what did that experience unlock for you creatively?
GYPSY LEE: Well, I think that, I don't know. I was always, like, really afraid of hurting people's feelings and things. And then I kind of felt like, hey, like, as a songwriter, sometimes you need to use those life experiences because, you know, everybody's gone through something like that — good and the bad. And I felt like I was able to word it in a way that wasn't necessarily a dig at him, but it was more in general of, like, hey, there's kind of a crisis going on right now with relationships and loyalty. And so I feel like I just said what needed to be said.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Yeah, fair enough. And it's nice that you kind of did it in that way as well, because, I mean, that's the thing about having a public platform — the people that you write these songs about potentially could hear them.
GYPSY LEE: Yeah, I know. It's a bit scary.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: There's a strong message in this song about calling things out. So was that something that felt empowering to write or very confronting at first?
GYPSY LEE: It was pretty confronting. I actually, like, when my producer… because we had a Zoom call when I first started writing the song, I kind of just blurted out to him, you know, something that my ex had done. And he came back and he had this lyric which is in the song: "now you’re staring at me with that dumb look on your face when I said that we’re gonna be exes, well you shoulda thought about that before you sent a dick pic to some dumb bitch in Texas.” That… if I can say that, I was like, no way in hell can I say that. Like, he would know that I'm singing about him. And I feel way too guilty. But then I realised, you know what? Like, it happened. It was something that happened, and you have to write on those experiences. You can't… I couldn't bottle that in any longer. So it felt nice to write it in a song where it was kind of like it wasn't even focusing on what had happened. It was more like, I'm speaking my truth and I'm telling everyone, like, I'm not going to bottle this in any longer.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Yeah. And the way I see it is, if you don't want it in the song, don't do it to someone. And it's not going to be in the song.
GYPSY LEE: Exactly. Yes. I could… yeah, you kind of set yourself up there. Thank you in a way, I got a good song out of it.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Thank you. In a way.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Do you think writing Snitches helped you process a relationship, or did it almost come after the clarity had already settled in?
GYPSY LEE: I think I kind of started when I was a bit angry, and I was upset at him because I felt like he was more of my friend even. So it was like a break in our friendship, but I couldn't… how was I to be friends with him anymore after this, you know? But then as the song developed over time, it feels a little bit more of an acceptance phase. It's kind of like, oh, I've gone through it and now this is just me holding you accountable. I've got clarity, I'm over it. But it's not necessarily like it's over. I'm not letting you off the hook. I'm going to tell my part. So it definitely feels kind of… yeah. Like a relief to have it out now. I mean, it's been like maybe four years since the relationship, so it's been a while. And I doubt he's even listened to the song or anything, but it definitely felt like a relief to get it off my chest.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: And the track is created without traditional instruments — just the vocals and percussive instruments like claps and door slams. So what drew you to that minimal approach?
GYPSY LEE: Well, we started off with a full-on three drums approach. It was very drum heavy because we felt like it needed that clap rhythm that it has. But it just sounded too overwhelming because there are so many lyrics. It was almost kind of a rap in the verses. We needed, literally a week before deadline, to go back to basics. We started with a simple drum clap, maybe add some door slams because I kind of feel like it's shutting the door on that situation, and it's also kind of dramatic. And then I was dropping my chair on the ground, using my lip gloss on the table. We got really creative, and I feel like it makes the lyrics more impactful because there's less competing with instruments.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Yeah, I feel like it's that metaphor as well, because a breakup is a closing of a chapter. So it's literally closing that door and saying, "look, I'm done with this, we're moving on."
GYPSY LEE: That is literally it.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: So does working in that stripped-back way make you feel more exposed as an artist, or more in control?
GYPSY LEE: That's really interesting. Maybe more in control. I feel like smoke and mirrors — like, you can make anything good with lots of great instruments, but I wanted the lyrics to really be impactful. When you look at the lyrics, you realise what I'm saying. The words do the talking. I like that we went with that approach. I feel like it makes sense.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Yeah, absolutely. And how did working with Thrones shape the final track?
GYPSY LEE: It was definitely the collaboration. We had the song done with full instruments, it was big, but there was just something off. Anyone I showed it to said, "yeah, it's nice." I met with Thrones again, told him I wasn't feeling it, and he said, "okay, this is a real risk, but let's take it back to stage one." We redid it from there, and it turned into something very cool.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: There's a lot in your lyrics about not being a blow-up doll, a Barbie, or someone's property. How important was it for you to make that statement through your music?
GYPSY LEE: It was important. Even when I first dated this guy, I didn't really feel that way about myself. At that time, I felt like, "oh, I'm lucky to have a boyfriend." Now I'm very much like, "I am who I am. I'm not your property."
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Let's talk about the visuals. They feel intentional and expressive. What was the vision behind the video?
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Let's talk about the visuals. I love the visuals—they feel intentional and expressive. What was the vision behind the video?
GYPSY LEE: It was showing that I can be everyone and everything, and that's perfectly fine. It's about growing up. I was constantly asking, "Who am I? What am I going to do with my life?" And I realised maybe I don't need to focus on that so much. Maybe I can just be everything.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Since your debut EP Pretty in the Dark, you've gone from emerging artist to really building momentum. What felt like the biggest shift for you in that time?
GYPSY LEE: It still feels like I'm preparing for this next EP, which is exciting. But in terms of who I am and how I feel about music, it’s definitely changed. I feel a lot more comfortable with who I am. I feel less stressed about fitting in or meeting expectations, and more just enjoying the feedback I get.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: And speaking of shows, you've already played sold-out gigs. How has taking these songs from the studio to the stage changed your relationship with them?
GYPSY LEE: Definitely. I had severe stage fright growing up, and it's still a work in progress. Performing live is different from the studio — seeing people's faces while telling your story is amazing. I feel privileged to do that, and I'm hoping for more gigs because it’s such a special feeling.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: And you've got more music coming out later in the year. What can people expect from the next chapter?
GYPSY LEE: A lot of big feelings. My first EP was a bit teenage-minded, questioning everything, maybe sadder feelings. The next songs are more intense, capturing what it feels like to start your 20s, enjoying life, and experiencing new things.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Lastly, if anyone's coming across your music for the first time, what do you want them to understand about you or your music?
GYPSY LEE: I’m just a normal person. I experience feelings everyone else experiences. I have this tool where I make songs about those feelings. I hope some of what I say resonates, and people can see themselves in my shoes. Life’s a rollercoaster, and music helps share that human experience.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Was there anything else you wanted to share about this release?
GYPSY LEE: I think we've covered it. I’m really excited to start this next chapter — it explores the trials and excitement of starting your 20s. Music can help ease some of the discomfort in the world, and I’m happy to be part of it. This next EP is so much fun.
FUTUREMAG MUSIC: Thank you so much for making time today.
GYPSY LEE: Thank you, it was lovely meeting you.