Penny Bored, the solo project of Faith Alesia, is invoking the the passion and nostalgia of early aughts pop-rock on their new EP, I’m Bored, from Open Your Ears Records. Faith joined TGEFM for the latest in our Roll of the Dice interview series. Check it out below!
Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. Congratulations on the release of “I’m Bored” Let’s start it off by talking a little bit about how this album came into existence. What was going on at the time that helped kickstart and influence the songwriting process?
We started writing this one right before my debut ep, what if? as if! dropped. just getting some ideas out there and trying to decide which direction I wanted to take my music. A lot of experimenting during this time! Heavy songs, pop songs, literally anything was on the table. It felt like we had a moment to decide which direction I wanted to take Penny Bored. After my first EP dropped, we really got to work and a lot of what we ended up releasing came so naturally to us in the writing process. I had to keep reminding myself “don’t over think it, be yourself, and just have fun.”
What album or band or significant singles made you go “Yeah, this is what I want to do” Not just an influence but who or what was the catalyst?
Something about y2k music has always had a grip on me. It’s always fueled my creative endeavors and anything surrounding pop star culture, if that makes sense. Once I started working behind the scenes, I realized.. “wait I can do this too if I really wanted to”. One day I finally made the big decision to follow my dreams and never looked back!
We’ve all got a few, what is your biggest regret? A gig you turned down, advice you didn’t take, what one thing do you wish you handled differently as a musician?
I think my biggest regret would be trying to please everyone. I was always so worried about what I posted or what I wrote and tried to impress people in the beginning with what I thought would work. I was getting advice from so many different people and then one it clicked that if I was myself, it would all work out.
What have been some of the most memorable moments or experiences as a touring musician so far? What’s been the most unexpected? The weirdest?
I don’t have any wild tour stories, but I do know now to always be prepared for anything. You never know what’s gonna happen or who you’ll meet on tour. Every moment is always treated as a learning experience. My favorite part of tour though is meeting so many new people and listening to their stories.
The music world has also changed a lot over the last few years. What are some of the biggest industry changes you’ve come across in your time within the scene?
I started posting on TikTok back in 2020 and watching the shift has been wild. It’s like you think you have it figured out but then you absolutely don’t. It can definitely be a great tool but I’ve learned to not rely on it. It’s so important to build a relationship with your audience and peers outside of social media as well. I’d much rather play shows all the time than post online so much, but unfortunately it doesn’t always work out that way.
I’m Bored was released on Open Your Ears Records, to which you recently signed. The label has been pumping out some awesome records, what was it for you that made you realize this was the label you wanted to work with?
From our first conversation I immediately felt comfortable talking to them. They saw the vision and supported it and I’m so grateful for this experience working with them!
One of our obligatory questions in these interviews also tends to be the one I have found most important on a personal level. Who are some bands on your radar that TGEFM readers may not know about, but you think they should know about?
Meg Smith has been on repeat for me lately. She’s gonna be a huge pop star one day, I just know it! I also recently discovered Bella Marcy and fell in love with her song “Laura.” Both such inspiring artists!
What’s next for Penny Bored?
Lots and lots of writing and always manifesting tours! One day!! But for now we have our first NYC show on October 12 and celebrating the EP release with a pop-up event in Dallas on October 18.
Roll of the Dice is a short interview format with a variable amount of questions. A pair of dice is rolled and the total, between 2 and 12, is the amount of questions we can ask. All questions are given to the interviewee(s) at once, and no follow-ups are allowed. The interview may be lightly edited for content and clarity.
Bad Dad (occasionally called Ed) has been on the periphery of the punk and punk-adjacent scene for over twenty years. While many contributors to this site have musical experience and talent, Ed’s musical claim to fame comes from his time in arguably the most punk rock Blockbuster Video district in NJ where he worked alongside members of Blanks 77, Best Hit TV and Brian Fallon. He is more than just an awful father to his 2 daughters, he is also a dreadful husband, a subpar writer, a terrible dresser and has a severe deficiency in all things talent… but hey, at least he’s self-aware, amirite?
Check out the pathetic attempts at photography on his insta at https://www.instagram.com/bad_dad_photography/
