Interview with Melanie Herrera

What is “I Think I Lied” about?

“I Think I Lied” is about breaking up with someone and regretting it – it's flirtatious, fun, and just in time for summer [Smiles].

What inspired your debut album title, A Fearful & Wondrous Thing?

A Fearful & Wondrous Thing are words that I would use to describe the magic of existence. I like how in the Psalms it says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully" made – it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard, so it's a little bit borrowed from that. I think it points to how life's inherent magic lies within the great love, the unexpected grief, the mystery, the joy, and the beautiful chaos of being alive.

What was the creative process like for the album artwork?

 I had a very clear image of how I wanted this to look, and it involved multiple artists and photographers from the East and West Coast. We designed the background I had in mind, then shot the image of me on a green screen. Then I had a composite photographer place me in the image. It was tricky because I had to be lit and positioned on the green screen in a way that could be placed in the image. But I think it came out so magically!

Where do you usually start when writing a song: lyrics, melody, or an idea?

Every song is truly different. Some come out fully formed like they are a direct download, some start after I'm noodling at the piano for a while, some I write to a track, some are born from an idea or a title. I think they're all a little different!

How did you know you were ready to release your debut album?

I think I've been ready for a while. But I was actually encouraged by my management consultants to release a full body of work. Artistically, I had wanted to do this for a while, but it was dedicated to releasing singles as a strategic decision. It was really fun to come up with a concept (that was kind of born out of the songs themselves) and build out the world of this project.

How would you describe this album in three words?

storytelling, free, cinema

What was the first song you wrote for this project?

This project is a mix of songs that have been out, and some that are new. The earliest song on this album is a song called “Without Me,” but I changed it up a bit to fit within the world of the project [Smiles].

Which song on the album means the most to you?

“There Was Me”. It was the first song I wrote that felt like I was settling into my genre.

What was your favorite part of making this album?

Making the visuals! They came out so magically, and I think really solidify the world of the music.

What do you hope people feel when they listen to it?

I want people to feel a little bit of that magic of being alive – I want them to feel the emotional resonance that hopefully speaks to the complexity of their own lives.