Interview: CVMILLE
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
From a very young age I was always very musically inclined and into performing alone in front of my living room mirror. That whole space in my family home was my stage and I was determined to some day having a stage elsewhere. I have two parents who were very artistic but never fully immersed themselves in any discipline and so I think that very much affected my upbringing. Both my mom and dad were always playing music around me and I couldn’t help but dose off and think of my own melodies and lyrics. Once I started singing lessons at the age of 9 I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life.
If I hadn’t gotten into music I would most definitely be a doctor, perhaps a neurosurgeon or something related to the brain. I still want to be involved in saving lives somehow and plan on doing social work and fighting for a more fair world.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
I love to experience life presently by just sharing moments with people I love and cherish; cooking, going to museums, walking around the park, having a picnic, petting a dog on the street, listening to a new album, taking trips, reading….I could go on and on. I’m a firm believer that in order to create art you have to live life as presently and wholeheartedly as possible. What will I write about if I’m not living the human experience to the best of my abilities?
How long has music been your career?
My professional career officially started with the making of my first single ‘Quiero’ in 2019.
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I am now based in New York and there is so much to participate in all the time. There is never a dull moment in NYC, you just have to be open and ready for it. However, I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and have also lived in Los Angeles so I would say I have been influenced by all kinds of energies and experiences.
I will say Buenos Aires and New York have this similar sort of grit to it that keeps me going for more and wanting to question everything around me. My debut EP ’SuperBaby’ was very much influenced by those feelings.
Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.
I really think every opportunity I had has led me to where I am right now so I can’t say there’s been a best or worst experience but I will say my first show in NYC was an experience I will never forget. The place was packed and pretty much everyone that came was a stranger. Having so many new people listen and enjoy my music in NYC was unforgettable.
Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
One of my favorites was Pete’s Candy Store, a small intimate venue in Brooklyn. The space looks great and although the capacity is pretty limited, the ambiance and overall look is very vintage and appealing.
There are so many places I want to play in but I would say La Trastienda back home in Buenos Aires would be a dream come true.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
This can be a very long list but I will keep it short for the sake of time and will only include artists that are still creating and performing. Kendrick Lamar, Hiatus Kaiyote, ROSALIA, Tyler the Creator, Solange, C.Tangana, Girl Ultra, NAFTA, and of course, all of my close artist friends.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into music?
If you don’t want this more than anything don’t make it your career because you will end up hating music and everything about the industry.
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?
Don’t doubt your gut and fully express yourself. Go for what you want! As a woman in this industry, I felt a lot of times like my voice wasn’t as heard or considered, or I had to rely on someone else because ‘they knew better’. I was a bit more apologetic and quiet. Now, if you don’t listen to me as much as anyone else that you work with I just simply won’t make the time for you.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
My upcoming EP’s last track ’Space inside my mind.’ I wrote that a while back, sort of talking myself through a hard time in hopes that what I had to say would resonate with someone else. I feel a lot and think a lot too and sometimes that can take the best out of me. That song I wrote for the EP got me out of my head at the time and the chorus is a sort of mantra for me every time I sing it.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
Deseo is definitely both. Quiero is also a favorite but I would say so far Deseo is the most fun and requested as well for all its nuances and fun elements.
What is the creative process for you, and what inspires you to write your music?
My creative process is all over the place but I will say that the main thing is discipline. There are of course better and worse days when it comes to creating but I am a firm believer that, just like any other process, it takes time, discipline, and hard work. I basically write everyday even if I don’t like what I am writing.
As a songwriter who has written in other formats as well, such as screenplays, short stories, one act plays, and poems, I usually start with writing lyrics, sometimes with a melody, sometimes without. I will sometimes have an instrument for chord progressions or a beat but it really depends on the project and my mood.
Everything about the human experience can inspire me: a conversation with someone, a glance on the street, an essay I read, a heartbreak… Every day I try to be present and grateful for my life and everything I go through is part of the inspiration.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
That you’re not alone and we’re all pretty much somehow going through similar struggles. I understand that we all come from a very different background and upbringing but I think we can all relate to being human and that’s something that I want to get across with my music. Everyone has felt alone, heartbroken, in love, lost,…. We’re all more similar than we think and I want to bring people together with my music just as much as I want my audience to know they’re not alone.
Do you ever have disagreements when collaborating and how do you get past them?
Absolutely. It is truly inevitable to disagree a bit in the studio but I always like to say there has to be room for God. It’s not about who has the best idea or who can be more talented, it’s about making the best song possible and if we’re battling with our egos that will never happen. Any time I disagree I try to explain to the best of my abilities why I don’t agree and have the other person express themselves too. Luckily, I was able to get past most disagreements. Those who I wasn’t able to come to an agreement with, I just wish them well. It’s okay to disagree and what I have to say is not always right, it’s just about agreeing. If we don’t agree at all then maybe it’s best to not work together right now.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
My upcoming EP titled ‘SuperBaby’! This took a while to get out due to all the worldly complications and my own personal struggles. I look forward to touring with this EP and my previous work and can’t wait to hop on stages all over the world.
Here's the pre save to my EP coming out March 18th: