Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Ronnie Watts

Rising pop artist Ronnie Watts is one to watch in 2020. The gifted singer-songwriter continues to impress with her soul-baring lyrics and emotive vocals. This year, she’s gearing up to release a brand-new EP, and she’s giving us a taste of what’s to come with her latest single, “Sad Summer.” Pop Culturalist caught up with Ronnie for an in-depth conversation about her, her music, and what she hopes to accomplish through her music.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Ronnie: Music has always been a really big part of me! I can’t remember when it wasn’t. My dad has a studio in our basement at home, so I’ve been surrounded by instruments since I was a little kid. I’ve always thought performing was the coolest thing. Then I discovered songwriting and knew this is what I wanted to do. I started songwriting to have an outlet growing up, and it kind of just stuck.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Ronnie: I feel like I encounter different people, places, and things every day that influence my career. My family supports me so much and have always encouraged me to surround myself with music.

New York City inspires me a lot too. I love the energy of it and people-watching. Also, obviously other artists have played a huge part in my music and who I want to be as an artist: Taylor Swift, Lorde, the 1975—to name a few—have influenced me a lot.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Sad Summer.” What inspired the song?
Ronnie: “Sad Summer” is about looking back on a past relationship. When something ends badly, you can’t help but flash back to all the good times. The song is about looking back on all the happy memories, but overall it was just a sad summer.

PC: You’re getting ready to release a new EP. Tell us about I Don’t Trust U At All and what you hope to say with this body of work?
Ronnie: I’ve never been so excited to release something. I started writing the songs on the EP over a year ago, and I’m so happy it’s gonna be out in the world soon. The project is all about navigating relationships and heartbreak. More specifically it’s about losing all my trust in someone—someone who I went out of my way to be with and just really let me down. I really hope people can connect with these songs and take comfort in them. It’s always my biggest goal to help people through my music.

PC: If you had to select one song off of the EP that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Ronnie: This is a hard one because I feel so connected to all of these songs. “Big House” is one that really stands out to me because it’s one of the oldest songs I’ve written on the EP, and I love it just as much as when I first wrote it, which is saying a lot because I tend to get more critical of my songs over time. I think it shows who I am as an artist because the song is very lyric focused with a cool harmony. For me, lyrics are the most important thing.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ronnie: Ashnikko! I love her.

PC: First album you bought?
Ronnie: The White Album.

PC: First concert you attended?
Ronnie: Ed Sheeran. It was spiritual.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Ronnie: I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it by the 1975. It introduced me to the more alternative side of music and made me fall in love with synths and specific details in storytelling. It’s a no-skips album.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Ronnie: Wembley is the dream venue.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Ronnie: Dove chocolate.

To keep up with Ronnie, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.