Can you tell me about the first YouTube video you connected with? What type of creators did you find yourself watching when you were younger?
When I was younger, YouTube was a place for outsiders. Making vlogs felt like a way for people to finally feel like a part of something.
Growing up online has taught me painful lessons about boundaries and vulnerability; I’ve learned over time how to put raw art into the world while still feeling comfortable. I’m actually still learning how to do that. I think my voice is naturally shaped to be quietly intense. I never had the space to practice being louder; growing up, I had to sing quietly in my bedroom so that my brother wouldn’t tease me, but I did have a keyboard in my room that I could experiment on, and I’d create harmonies that expressed different emotions.
Can you tell me about your YouTube channels? How do you think about each, and how do they inform the artist you are today?
I’ve used doddlevloggle as a place to express lessons and feelings I’m currently going through. I call it a scrapbook channel — a handy place to blurt something out creatively and to practice exploring something.
I’ve always described doddleoddle as being a portfolio. It’s been really interesting to see listeners identify themes in my life in my videos. It’s also been helpful for me to have a place to express my emotions, too.
Who are some queer content creators that you really admire right now?
I love Jessica Kellgren-Fozard! She’s a disabled, queer goddess. I’ve learned so much from her.
What has the LGBTQ+ YouTube community taught you about being queer?
I’ve learned that queerness is a beautiful, colorful, complex spectrum. And that there is a wonderful community to be found by sharing about your differences. It’s taught me about self-love, a theme that runs through both my queerness and my songwriting.
What advice do you have for smaller content creators and emerging artists?
Cherish your small communities. I miss not having such a huge amount of pressure and so many outside eyes on me, and I miss the ability to communicate easily with my audience, too.
Enjoy creating for the joy of creating. It’s easy to lose that when you’re trying to grow, and maybe easier to lose it when you already have grown.
In terms of songwriting, push yourself to uncomfortable places! Write through the block. Learn something difficult on a new instrument. And don’t wait to have the right equipment to finish an idea. You can always come back to a song. A song never has to be completely done!
I love how your lyrics reference your ongoing and evolving relationship with mental health. What do you think is still missing from mainstream conversations about mental health?
