Cooper Phillip on Listening to Her Inner Voice and the Meaning Behind ‘Perfectly Original’

Today, May 4, singer-songwriter Cooper Phillip released the epic new anthem "Perfectly Original," and we were hooked after a single listen.

With its sweeping, orchestral strings and soulful piano underlying soaring vocals, it's a powerful track about rediscovering the power within you, and learning to let go of all of the things holding you back. We consider ourselves very lucky to have gotten the chance to ask Cooper all about her history as an artist and what the song means to her. Read our full interview below, and listen to "Perfectly Original" HERE on Spotify.

Sweety High: How do you feel your classical training shaped the musician you are today? 

Cooper Phillip: It absolutely gave me fundamental knowledge about music. I love classical music and learn from it all the time.

Also, I'm an instrumentalist first. I started playing piano and harp at the age of 7. An instrumentalist mentality allows any artist to be more free.

(Photo credit: Alena Soboleva)

 

SH: How do you feel you might view music differently from other popular artists?

CP: Playing instruments allows you to understand music better. I recommend every singer-songwriter learn how to play.

 

SH: What was the songwriting process behind "Perfectly Original"? What does the track mean to you?

CP: I grew up listening to classical pieces and symphonic music left a mark on my heart. The track has live strings and it brings me back to my childhood and my memories of the theatrical performances. The track is very different from all of my songs.

(Photo credit: Alena Soboleva)

 

SH: How do you embody your most perfectly original self?

CP: I listen to my inner voice always and ask myself if it's my real inner voice, or just my fear.

 

SH: What advice do you have for young women to move on past the things that are holding them back?

CP: Just switch focus. Keep moving, keep learning. Time is precious.

 

SH: What's your favorite lyric from the track?

CP: My favorite is, "Are you really doing it for yourself? Smiling are you really smiling? Is it just for show or somebody else?" It brings me back to reality and my purpose, and the path of being simply happy every single day.

 

Love musicians who are doing something a little different? Click HERE to find out everything you wanted to know about Dutch musician Blanks.