Rebecca Perl- Perl is a New York born, Los Angeles based artist whose music fuses both honest folk and catchy pop. Raised in a family of musicians, Perl picked up the guitar at just 12 years old, learning her love for music was the best way to articulate all the complexities and riddles that love and life had to offer. With each year,
Interview conducted on October 21, 2020
By Dan Locke
Perl has seen success having garnered over a million streams for her music to date, selling out Webster Hall and landed opening spots for pop rock artists like Gavin Degraw, Teddy Geiger, Howie Day, Ryan Cabrera, Tyler Hilton, Olivia Newton John and more
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Long Island, NY to a very musical family. They introduced me to music at a young age and our family get-togethers consisted of 10 guitars and a ton of food! haha.
Why do you call Long Island, NY a tropical paradise?
It is so far from a tropical paradise but I love to joke about the fact that it’s surrounded by water, almost like an island, yet not an island at all!
How did you discover music?
Mostly on Spotify. I follow the new playlists and every Friday I take time to listen. I also meet a ton of new artists around LA through friends and writers, and I like to support that.
How did you start to write music?
I started writing music when I was 12. My parents bought me my first guitar that year. It was bright blue and I never put it down. I googled how to play guitar, and started learning some of my favorite songs. I instantly fell in love with it thinking, why can’t I write something myself?
How was it to work on the film “Hands that Hold Us”? Did you write the music for the film or did the filmmaker pick some songs you already had to be used in the film?
The creator of the film reached out to me and asked if he could use a few of my songs from the first EP I ever put out. It was probably the coolest request ever. It was also the first time somebody wanted my music in a film.
What was your first performance like?
At 14, I booked my first show in Amityville, Long Island. I heard about this bar that had a stage and somehow convinced the owner of the bar to let me and all my 14-year-old friends in. The night looked a lot like a first show would look: My entire family and my friends with my face printed onto t-shirts. I remember being really nervous, but also excited to see what everyone actually thought about my songs.
How was it to hear your music the first time on MTV Teen Mom?
Pretty cool! Having your song play on TV is awesome.
How was it to open for Olivia Newton John? Did she give you any words of wisdom?
Opening for ONJ was one of the biggest audiences I ever played for. I played with my three-piece band at The Paramount in Huntington – one of my favorite venues to go to. Me and ONJ had a salmon dinner in the back of the venue right before I went on stage. I could hardly eat, but she was the sweetest person. Such a cool night.
What makes a good songwriter?
A great listener.
Tell me about your newest single “Blame You”?
Blame You is definitely one of those emotional break up songs. It’s about the battle of the blame. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out why a relationship goes downhill and blaming the other person is the easiest way to find closure. That’s what I tried to convey in this song.
What is DevKennedyMusic?
Devin Kennedy is an artist that I write music with for his project. He’s super talented and I can’t wait to put out more music with him.
How was it to perform at SXSW? It looks like next year’s SXSW will be virtual.
SXSW was such a crazy fun and adventurous week. I played 6 shows in 6 days and attended every show I possibly could in between them! I was living in Austin, TX at the time and had just released my new album “Point Of No Return”, so I had a lot of new music to play. It was really awesome.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I’ve been writing a lot of music and watching a lot of shows and old movies that I’ve always wanted to see.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I love to cook. During this time and this crazy year, I’ve been able to do it a ton! I feel like a chef now.
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I am also a graphic designer – so I’d probably be doing a lot more of that! If not that, maybe psychology.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you!
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