Interview with Scene Queen

Scene Queen has just released her new single “18+”. The mastermind behind Bimbocore music returned with a brand-new song, this time taking aim at base and grooming in the music industry. This is not unusual for the rocker who has been addressing feminist issues with her powerful music for a long time. Scene Queen is planning to release her debut album later in 2023, and this is her fans’ chance to get a taste of what the album will be like.

We had the chance to interview Scene Queen and talk with her about the new single while reaching for her perspective on various topics and also getting to know her deeper.

Hello Scene Queen! I’m happy to be talking with you. How is life treating you recently?

I’m good. In a bit of a whirlwind career-wise but excited.

Great! You are about to release your new single “18+”. What was your inspiration behind the song and what is the message you’d like to convey through it?

I’ve been in the alt scene since I was a kid. I’m almost 26 now and working in the scene finally and realized how much of how I have to carry myself in this scene was affected by the subject matter of 18+. The alternative scene is meant to be a safe space but for the longest time, I’ve felt like as a woman I have to always watch my back, never get too comfortable, and guard myself around men. But so much of that is stemmed by things I experienced as a teen. So this song is my first real criticism on the scene I love so much. And talks about all the trauma I’ve faced in my work life and teen life in the industry.

That’s brilliant. I have a bad habit of reading comments, and I noticed some people commenting on posts by musicians who decided to sound their opinion on political or social issues through social media saying things like “stick to music and stay away from politics”. As an artist whose music is directly connected to a social movement, what is your opinion on the notion that “musicians/celebrities should not sound their political or social opinions”?

I think this is the most outrageous opinion you could have about musicians. I don’t talk about politics in a song and my song is too mainstream sounding and I’m an industry plant. I make a song too political and suddenly I’m disrespectful of the scene. The entire joy of making music is writing how you feel. I will never since a song that’s not how I feel. Whether that be political or if I just feel like making jokes that day. My brain is in the DNA of my songs.

We live in an era where social media has become essential for musicians to reach fans and promote their music. In your opinion, what are the cons and pros of social media having all that power in the music industry?

I think social media is great in the sense that it allows artists to reach all corners of music and the internet so for genre-bending artists like me where it would be harder to grow on tours that focus on one style it’s extremely beneficial. On the other hand, social media is ever-changing so even tho I spend most days glued to my phone I’m still worrying about the next thing. So it’s definitely a bittersweet time for musicians.

Many of our readers face sexism on daily basis. What advice would you give young people around the world who face any kind of discrimination?

Nobody’s opinion of you has any reflection of your abilities. As unfair as the world is to certain groups, I think it’s important to remember that the people telling you no have had to deal with half as many no’s so they have half as thick skin. At the end of the day, your strength is so much greater. And if you have the ability to speak up please remember that your voice always matters even if when the people in your immediate space don’t hear it.

Get to know Scene Queen rapid fire:

In a universe where a theme song plays whenever you wake up announcing the start of your day, what would your song be?

Perfect day like in the start of legally blonde (and it will be comedically ironic on days where I have a rough morning)

You are in a universe where you are a literal ruling queen of a country, what would be the first law you’d make?

Free health care. (I’m about to turn 26 and suffer from POTS so I’m very nervous about health care myself, so I’d love to give it to everyone else too)

In a universe where you are the statue of liberty, what object would you be holding instead of a torch?

Probably a pink fruity cocktail or a purse with a dog in it

In a universe where humans can choose either to be able to teleport from one place to another or travel back and forth in time, which superpower would you pick?

I wanna teleport between places I think. I have no desire to live in the past. The future could be cool but I also don’t wanna ruin the fun joys of life before I get to them.

In a universe where the senses of taste and hearing are mixed up together, what food would you imagine your music would taste like?

Either a Dirty Shirley (a Shirley temple with vodka) or a strawberry cheesecake blizzard from Dairy Queen.