NeoPopSicle

The first time I heard of Neo was when QuESt dropped his "The Reason: A Defense Mechanism" album on which she was featured on several tracks. I was immediately hooked on her voice and had to find out some more about her. I ended up following her on Twitter and right off the bat she seemed to be really cool and down to earth. She dropped her own EP "Dear Andre" shortly after and I loved it. Over time we got to talk a lil more and she eventually agreed to do a track for a mixtape that I was dropping on LupEND. Just a few days ago we sat down to do this interview, check it out!


SeanTheRobot: Let us know who NeoPopSicle is, where she's from and what she does.

NeoPopSicle: NeoPopSicle (NeO) is a Lovah from Third Space who likes to write songs, sing and drink green tea with honey.

SeanTheRobot: It's been a little while since your last EP "Dear Andre" dropped...what did you do in the meantime?

NeO: Yes it has! Well I've collaborated with some of my favorite rhyme ninjas like Eric Biddines (on Aye Story About Love), QuESt (on his Mount Eden project) , TreaZon (on his Zero Love album coming in February) and a few others. I've also fallen in love, out of love, made up to break up and all that stuff which has fueled many new songs that I'm working on for my new project.

SeanTheRobot: I think you're very honest in your music and let listeners experience the real you and the feelings/emotions you're going through. Is it important to you that people feel this way. Do you put any thought into that when writing your songs?

NeO: Authenticity is the root to songwriting; at least in my eyes. I'm human like everyone else but l I can only see and feel through my vessel (mind, body and soul) and I would never be able to step on stage and sing the songs I do if I hadn't felt them first. I want people to know that for every song I write there was an inspiration behind it and that it's not fueled by any monetary gain or need to make it on the radio. At the end of the day if people can relate and feel connected to the emotions I'm happy. If they don't I'm still happy. As far as actively thinking about whether others will "understand" my music or words, I do not. However, I hope they'll feel it.

SeanTheRobot: Due to the fact that your music is so personal, do you ever find yourself in a situation where you just can't listen to one of your tracks or perform it cause it brings back certain memories?

NeO: Yes. I've written songs with some lyrics that would hurt someone if I put it out and I wouldn't want that. Creating the song is therapy for me. Some people curse their other half out, throw dishes, cheat, I write songs. Some are released and some aren't. When these songs come on my playlist it reminds me that love is not easy or perfect. I'll make mistakes and so will he. Lucky for me I don't have to perform them! :)

SeanTheRobot: I've seen you tweeting about how you were kinda afraid of your family or people close to your family listening to your music, or a certain track cause it was kinda sexual... Do you still feel that way and do you ever take things like that in consideration before you write a song? Do thoughts like that influence your music in any way?

NeO: Ha! It's a bit weird for me to give my family my music to listen to because although I'm not a child anymore I don't think my mom, dad, aunts and uncles want to hear me singing about sex. I used to be a little baby in their arms at one point. I try to put myself in their shoes. It's funny you ask me this because my cousin sent me a message one day telling me he had no idea I was singing again until he heard me on a QuESt song that was on one of his favorite websites (www.the305.com) and he freaked out a little. So I don't really share my music with them like that, but my mom loves it although I know she thinks it can be a little too "sexy" at times.

SeanTheRobot: I see... ...that leads to the next question... When the day comes on which you get very popular and if you'd get the opportunity, could you see yourself posing sexy for magazines? Lets say Playboy would make you an offer..what would you do?

NeO: I doubt I will ever do that. I'm all for nudity, the body is beautiful but my body is not to be shared with the world. Playboy is showing all the goodies and really what's the point of that? Everything is not for everyone. I could pose sexy for magazines and not be naked. Nakedness is natural but I think subtle creates sexiness.

SeanTheRobot: How do you feel about various female celebrities, for example Rihanna, changing their image over time from innocent to sexy vamp?

NeO: I think it's a part of the environment they are becoming women in. It takes a village to raise and influence a child into adulthood, they aren't solely to blame. They do what they see. These younger celebrities have the world, fame & fortune at such a young age. Think about it, adults can't even handle it that's why we have corruption in businesses & government. In Rihanna's defense she is a beautiful girl with a great body and at the end of the day she can do what she pleases with it but if she wasn't so sexy do you think anyone would pay for her music or go to her concerts? We all live in glass houses and throw stones.

SeanTheRobot: Nah, I definitely wouldn't go to a concert just to hear her sing.

NeO: Exactly, it's the allure of her sexiness and catchy songs.

SeanTheRobot: Definitely. Back to you though... I don't know for a fact but I think you weren't in a relationship when you wrote the "Dear Andre" project but you are now, right? Does that change the way you write or what you'll sing about? Cause you must be somewhat in a different state of mind when you're in love.

NeO: I was not in a relationship when I wrote Dear Andre so I was reflecting a lot in my songs. Yes, I'm now in a relationship and it does change the way I write because I write about feelings of the present versus memories from the past. Although, there are instances where the past influences the present and finds its way into a lyric or two.

SeanTheRobot: Let's talk about Lovah's Labyrinth, your next project. From previous conversations with you I know that you kinda started over again with it and started to write new songs. Let us know what really went down.

NeO: Ooooo Sean! Lovah's Labyrinth was pretty much done but it was not the sound I'm trying to move forward with. It just wasn't right. I have to love every little part of every song on the next project you hear from me. Dear Andre, as much as a part of me it is, is not my best. I'm capable of giving a lot more and I will... soon! Pinky promise!

SeanTheRobot: Is it still going to be called Lovah's Labyrinth then?

NeO: I don't think so...

SeanTheRobot: Ok. What type of theme/concept will you be going for with the next one?

NeO: My main goal with this next project is to let my feelings out of this box and define the "ambient soul" sound I love. I don't have any themes but the sound will be more ambient, electronic, synth-ish with drums, bass and smooth vocals.

SeanTheRobot: How far into it are you at this point?

NeO: I'm simultaneously working on three songs, none completed.

SeanTheRobot: I'm definitely looking forward to hearing it all. ...You're from Florida, how much of an influence does the music/art scene there have on your own work?

NeO: Thank you! South Florida's, Miami in particular, music scene as a whole is heavily influenced by the Latin and Caribbean communities so that's a different animal in itself when it comes to influencing my music. Spanish music was essential to my childhood & it taught me about making music with passion and not just your brain. Aside from a few artists I know that are making amazing Indie music there's not a lot of mainstream music from Florida that inspires me. It's become too typical and radio-friendly for my liking. Now the Art scene, especially Urban Art, inspires me a lot and it's more from the love of the Artists you come across at these events and the blood and sweat they've put into their work.

SeanTheRobot: Is there an artist in particular that you like a lot?

NeO: Yes, Jason Fleurant he creates these beautiful and thought provoking paintings on social, economical, and cultural issues normally in these deep red and blue colors. It's really beautiful to me. He has a painting of Nas & Biggie too so that's a plus!

SeanTheRobot: Nice!! We're coming to the final questions now... What does NeoPopSicle like to do in her free time?

NeO: I like to make music, drink wine, be naked, and sit in silence.

SeanTheRobot: Do you ever combine any of those things?

NeO: Yes, now that I think of it that's the gist of my writing process!

SeanTheRobot: Cool. I noticed that you're using the #Healthgrind tag on Twitter frequently.. What do you do to stay healthy?

NeO: I'm a pescatarian so I stick to fish, veggies and really anything that's not meat. I do have a horrible sweet tooth so I try to workout at least three times a week by running, doing Yoga or hopping on a machine at the gym. I also meditate and focus on the positive in life for a healthy spirit. I'm not "fit" per-say but I'm a lot more conscious about what I put in my body, mind and soul and how I treat them. S/O to @healthgrind by the way!

SeanTheRobot: What's your absolute favorite thing to eat?

NeO: Oreos. They are the D E V I L! Oreos x Sangria will make me forgive anyone!

SeanTheRobot: Ha! I can so relate to that..Oreos are so damn good!

NeO: Hell yeah!

SeanTheRobot: Ok, here's the last question I have. You're also active when it comes to raise awareness of certain things, attending peace rallies and performing at breast cancer awareness events. How important are things like that to you?

NeO: It is everything to me. I might be young, healthy, unoppressed and living in a rich nation but there are millions who are not. There are too many people sick, dying, and suffering from preventable diseases and crimes against them. We have the power of voice and action and I don't do half as much as I should. I truly believe in giving back to anyone who needs help. I don't have much but I have my will and with that I can do anything.


SeanTheRobot: Awesome, so..that's it! Thanks for taking the time to do this interview! Any last words?

NeO: This was awesome! Thank you for supporting my music and for this interview. When I make it to Germany we shall have some Oreos! xoxo!

You can follow NeO on Twitter and check her EP HERE

Also peep her brand new video: