In a cozy little corner of Spotify resides a singer and songwriter named PEGGY. If you read her bio, you will notice that it says that listeners are “transported to a dreamy, otherworldly space,” and if you listen to her music, you will find this to be true. She can often be seen brandishing a ukulele and coming up with short songs to go along with her daily song prompts. Whenever she posts a story asking for suggestions, fans eagerly contribute. Her lyrics are rife with references to beloved literary characters such as Romeo and Juliet and capture typically difficult-to-articulate feelings, such as the fleeting feeling of temporarily falling in love with a handsome stranger who takes the same train as you. PEGGY is for anyone who has ever caught feelings for fictional characters, has a love of literature, or simply wants a soundtrack to their maladaptive daydreaming.
We had the opportunity to ask PEGGY a few questions about her songwriting process and the literary references.
Where do you get ideas for daily song prompts? When did you start writing these prompts?
When I did my daily songwriting challenge last year, I found a lot of my prompts by asking my audience! Generally, I make an Instagram story asking for song prompts (I often do when I’m struggling with writing) and would write those songs most of the time on the day that I posted the video.
“30 SECOND LOVE STORY” describes the feeling of temporarily falling in love with a complete stranger. This is such a specific, often unsaid feeling: where do you begin when writing something that can be difficult to put into words?
I think, for me, fleeting moments of love are easier to grasp in life simply because I have never experienced a long-term relationship or been, conventionally, in love myself. I tend to write whatever comes to mind in these situations, which are usually simple metaphors and descriptors that describe both the physical and emotional feelings of those fleeting moments, such as butterflies.
If you could adapt any of your songs into a screenplay, which would it be, and what would the plot be?
100% Villains Aren’t Born They’re Made; it would probably follow the plot of the song as a hero plummets as they face choices that cause them to go against their values, driving them from hero to villain in the end.
What TV show (past or present) would you want to feature your music?
ANY MARVEL MOVIE, like literally any Marvel movie or TV show, would literally be the biggest deal to me. I write a lot of music about characters from that particular universe, also for the ACOTAR TV series when it comes out, as well as Percy Jackson.
“LOVE” references famous doomed lovers from literature like Romeo and Juliet, Orpheus and Eurydice. What are some other stories that inspire your songwriting?
I love drawing references to Greek mythology, literature, shake-sphere, and movies within my songs. Other examples are Aphrodite, Achilles and Patroclus, Icarus, Jay Gatsby and Daisy, Loki, and The Scarlet Witch, just to name a few. However, many of these mentioned stories are referenced in upcoming songs, so I guess you’ll just have to wait and see how I utilize them.
Which of your songs would you like to make a music video for? What would the aesthetic be?
I’m going to have to say LOVE, and the aesthetic would be very much; a girl goes on a bunch of bad dates and comes to the conclusion that Love just isn’t for her in the end.
“ALICE” reimagines the titular Lewis Carroll character as a troubled young woman for whom Wonderland was a figment of her imagination. Are there any other characters you would be interested in exploring in a similar way?
So, ALICE is as much about me as it is a reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. I often struggle with derealization and maladaptive daydreaming, which I wrote the song about under the guise of ALICE as sort of a conduit. I am definitely interested in writing more works like this for sure! I think writing a song about Dorian Gray or The Great Gatsby would be really interesting and fun!
What books would you recommend to someone whose favorite song is “Fictional Men”?
The entire ACOTAR and Throne of Glass series, From Blood and Ash, Fourth Wing, and Six of Crows (just to name a few).
You recently collaborated with Goodwerks and Solaya for the song “Criminal.” Who would you be interested in collaborating with in the future?
I would love to write a song with Dodie Clark; I think we have a similar writing style, and it would be really fun to work together! Also, in a dream world, I would love to work with Sara Bareilles on a song; she is one of my main inspirations as an artist for my music and has been since I was a kid
What artists or other forms of media are your biggest influences?
Sara Bareilles, Dodie Clark, Cody Fry, Rick Montgomery, Hozier, Lana Del Ray, Coldplay, Billie Eilish (also just to name a few).
Check out PEGGY on Spotify and Apple Music.
Interviewed and Written by: J.D. Valdepenas