If you don’t already know, Almondmilkhunni’s upcoming EP Star Baby is about to claim her rightful title—dropping on none other than the spookiest day of the year, Halloween (October 31st). It marks her first major project since ENJOY THE RIDE in 2023—and enjoy it we did, enough to buckle up for round two, happily riding shotgun as a full-fledged passenger princess to her new wave of beats. We caught up with Almondmilkhunni (aka Brandy Schwechler) to talk about the lead single ‘New Jerzey,’ what costume Star Baby would show up in, and plenty more.
Star Baby
Star Baby is your first EP since ENJOY THE RIDE—what was the biggest shift for you creatively between these two projects? Did anything about your process surprise you this time around?
For this project, I really took the lead with the music direction and writing process. I think ETR was more about trying to make good songs, whereas Star Baby is about making what I want to make. It was surprising how easy it was to make music that felt really original.
Star Baby is releasing on Halloween this year. If your EP were to pick a Halloween costume, what do you think it would be and why?
I think a literal baby star would be a really cute visual, but honestly, it’s kind of like your superstar alter ego. The popstar version of yourself, so whatever that looks like.
What’s something you’re really excited for fans to experience when they hear Star Baby in full? Are there any tracks that feel especially personal or different for you?
I’m excited for people to experience writing that is very close to my heart and lyrics that have so much meaning. Every single song has a real-life story behind it, but I love that those meanings will be personalized to whoever listens. Pleaser is a very intimate song to me because it is directly adapted from a poem I wrote about s*x work.
‘New Jerzey’ And New Jersey
When crafting the EP, did you always know ‘New Jerzey’ was going to be the lead single? And what went into that decision?
No, I didn’t think about rollout when I was making the project. I usually separate the creative process from the marketing strategy that follows. When we had to decide the order, ‘New Jerzey’ made sense as the first single because it’s a little bit of an outlier amongst the other really ambient, chill, and dreamy songs.
‘New Jerzey’ is on repeat for us already! The lyrics and instrumentals set the vibes for a ‘hot girl summer’ party vibe. What’s your favorite part of this track and why?
My favorite part is the inspiration from Hellogoodbye’s ‘Here (In Your Arms).’ If you grew up on emo, Myspace, and neon pop music, then NJ feels very nostalgic. It feels like growing up.
You said you take inspiration from FKA twigs, Charli XCX, and Courtney Love. Who else do you have on your daily playlists?
The other side of the spectrum is very indie pop and indie rock. I love Momma, Slow Pulp, Armlocke, Lorelei, and so many other artists who are somehow not nearly as big as they should be yet.
We hear a lot of New Jersey pride in your music—what’s something super Jersey about you that you’ll never let go of?
My phone number. I have an (856) area code, and I will never change it. No matter how long I live in LA.
How do you think being raised in a DIY house show environment shaped the way you approach your career now? Is that ‘build it yourself’ energy still driving you?
I think the scene I grew up with was really cool because it was pre-TikTok-star-turned-musician. People were playing music because they didn’t know anything else. They weren’t writing music for it to go viral or just recording demos handed to them via a major record label. It was purely genuine, and I really appreciate that I got to experience that.
Where is your comfort spot to go to when you go back home to Jersey and need a moment of nostalgia?
It’s gonna be Wawa for me. I would get a hoagie, a sugar-free Redbull, and a soft pretzel. And if not wawa, then any diner. We have the best diners.
The message you put out to everyone is to “be yourself, without fear”, and we couldn’t agree with you more. Is making music an outlet for you to do this? When you’re not making music, what else do you do that allows you to be yourself without fear?
Music is the best outlet for me, but as I grow and unlearn a lot of fear, I steadily become more authentic and bold with the music. Outside of music, I make sure that every single thing I’m scared to try, I try. I’ve become really comfortable with feeling embarrassed or awkward or even just making a fool of myself because I’m trying to do something for the first time. That has helped me know who I am.
Quick Fire Round
We love your style! What’s your favorite piece you’ve found at the thrift recently?
I have really cool leather Diesel sneakers from Silverlake Flea that are men’s shoes, but I absolutely love how comfy they are.
And last but not least, we have to ask: fck marry kill: ‘Mean To You,’ ‘Grapefruit’ and ‘New Jerzey’
fck Grapefruit but not as in ‘fck, wink-wink’ but as in ‘f*ck that song’ because I have way better ones haha. Kill ‘Mean to You’ because she’s the old AMH. And lastly, marry NJ because she’s awesome.
If you could channel one Almondmilkhunni track to celebrate Star Baby’s Halloween drop, which would it be? Serve us the full lookbook fantasy on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook—we’re talking outfit, vibe, attitude. Go off.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALMONDMILKHUNNI:
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