Our favorite rising alternative artist, Scarlet House, just dropped his mixtape, Homecoming. If Scarlet House isn’t your favorite rising alternative artist, we’re happy to introduce you. And we promise he will be after you listen to Homecoming and hear what he has to say about it. Part classic grunge, part modern R&B, and completely unique tracks, Scarlet House has transcended genre boundaries. His creative take on his own musical narrative has resulted in a stellar debut. And we got the chance to dive into it with him!
Welcome to the Honey Pop! As an introduction, can you tell us a bit about your history with music?
My relationship with music dates back to when I was in elementary school. My mom bought me a keyboard, and I used to just toy with it, not really knowing what I was doing. My dad was instrumental in showing and exposing me to so much music. From jazz to hip-hop to gospel, his taste is everywhere. I found soft rock music in 7th grade when I downloaded the Pandora app and found bands like Coldplay and the Fray. In high school I started trying to actually write songs and then started learning how to actually produce. Fast forward; here I am now.
You landed on the perfect mix of grunge and R&B. Was there any interesting experimentation between genres that you tried before getting to this point? Any that maybe didn’t make the cut?
I have never thought too deeply about what I’ve been making. I sit there and see what comes out. There are many songs I made leading up to finding my sound that will never see the light of day that helped me get to this point. Each song is like a stepping stone.
Homecoming includes nine already released songs and three new ones. How did you decide which songs made the track list?
I wanted to choose the songs that meant the most to me from the pre-released tracks. I also wanted to give people who have already been listening to something new, so I chose three songs that best fit the narrative and flow of it all!
Speaking of Homecoming, you call it a mixtape rather than an album, and teased the release of an upcoming album. How do the two differ in your mind?
The factor that separates them is that many of the songs on Homecoming have been prereleases. The writing process for this has been at least two years in the making. With my debut album, I want to focus on delivering a whole package of new music and really driving home the Scarlet House sound.
Can you tease anything about this upcoming album?
Not at the moment, as I am just being locked in on this homecoming project, but I will soon!
You’ve talked openly about how your experiences with cancer and homelessness have shaped you. How did you translate those experiences to music?
I think those life events had some of the most significant impacts on my relationship with music. In my freshman year of high school, my family moved to North Carolina, and shortly after, we found ourselves homeless. For about a year, we lived in different hotels. That period was challenging, but it was also when I started writing raps. They weren’t great at first—honestly, they were pretty bad—but writing gave me a sense of safety and expression I hadn’t experienced before. Then, in 2017, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Lymphoma. During chemo, music became a lifeline for me. I’d spend hours playing Call of Duty with music in the background, making everything feel a little less heavy. Music felt like a safe haven. Those experiences taught me how powerful music can be, not just as an art form but as a source of comfort and strength, and that perspective continues to influence everything I create.
What we love about your lyrics is that they feel more like a stream of consciousness, and they all seem to tie together with a theme of longing. Were there any writing rituals to get you into that headspace?
No, I never really had a specific thing I did. When I write lyrics, I usually start singing and finding melodies, and words kind of fall into place. Once I get the first line, I usually go from there and write out the song as I record it. It’s a process that I’ve come to love and find therapy in.
Do you have a song that was your favorite to write?
My favorite song I’ve made has probably been the one called ‘Over.’ Creating music feels like therapy, but more than that. I feel like sounds can help you tap into feelings that you forgot you’ve had. It made me feel a lot of nostalgia while making it. I started with the guitars by layering two separate but similar riffs. Then added bass and drums and started free styling lyrics after all the tweaks were made to the beat. Then once I found a melody, I started dialing in the lyrics. I really wanted to write something introspective. For most of the song, I was thinking of conversing with myself and God and reflecting on who I am, was, and want to be. Overall I just really love how that song came about.
What went into the decision to merge ‘Slowing Down’ and ‘Ghosts’ for the music video?
I have to honestly give credit to the director, Keaton Jones, for that.
What was it like bringing your songs to life with the music videos? Does that change your relationship with the songs at all?
It was really cool actually! Definitely a little weird being on camera but I found the fun in it. I love movies a lot so the crossover of music and videos is something I really enjoy.
Following Homecoming’s release, you’ve shared some kind messages from fans on Instagram. What has it been like to receive that kind of reaction to your songs?
Honestly I cant even believe that people out there actually listen to my songs. I guess it’s just been a dream so long that to know it actually means something to someone just feels surreal. I’m beyond grateful.
You’re taking Homecoming on the road this winter! And fittingly, you’re starting in Charlotte, NC. What is it like to play for your hometown?
I can’t wait! It’s a very new experience but it’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. It’s cool to be kicking it off in my hometown because I’ve been seeing this venue for years so to have a show there is really a full circle moment to me.
Is there a particular city or venue you’re hoping to play someday?
My dream venue is Red Rocks. If you’ve seen it then you’ll know why.
We absolutely love Homecoming and can’t wait for more from you! What has been the most rewarding about this process?
Thank you! I think the most fulfilling part is to see people actually connect with it. Music is more than the artist who makes it, it’s an opportunity to connect and to feel. So I’m very thankful for that.
One last question: Because it’s the end of the year, what is one album or song that you would use to describe your 2024?
This question is so tough because I have so many songs from this year that really feel like staples. But if I have to really narrow it down, I think it would have to be ‘I Didn’t Know’ by Skinshape. It’s just a song that I kept on returning to over the past year when I really just needed to feel something. It carries a sense of nostalgia from such a specific time in my early life. It’s definitely a very special song to me.
Stream Homecoming here and then come back with all your Scarlet House-related thoughts. We want to hear all about it at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
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