Wormogenic is an emerging Florida-raised alt-pop artist quickly carving out a distinctive lane between glossy dream-pop, grunge-edged alternative and theatrical contemporary pop, pairing candid songwriting about adolescence, anxiety and self-sabotage with hooks built to last. In a short run of releases she has already gone from debut single ‘Rip Off The Bandaid’ to the friendship-collapse anthem ‘Apocalypse Queen’, drawing notice across the independent press and radio while shaping a sound indebted to Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Caroline Polachek, Girl in Red and the darker synth pulse of New Order. Her most recent single, ‘16’, is the thesis statement of her forthcoming debut EP Bandaids: a shimmering, emotionally raw dream-pop rush that turns isolation and the fear of happiness slipping away into something anthemic, cinematic and immediately infectious.
With that EP on the horizon and an artistic identity already unusually clear after just three singles, Wormogenic has everyone in anticipation. In the interview that follows, she unpacks the world she is building, talks her creative influences and more.
Hey, thanks so much for sitting down with us today – what’s been the absolute best part of your week so far, music aside?
Hiii thank you for having me!! My favorite part of this week was yesterday!! I had a family sized root beer
Which genres best describe your music?
Poprock, singer songwriter, synth, alternative pop!!!
If someone wanted to understand the real vibe of the band beyond the music, what’s one story from your everyday life that says it all?
A few months ago the sheriff pulled me over when I had a full face of clown make up on!! It was so embarrassing but I think my music is very much about the feeling of embarrassment and feeling out of place.
What’s the wildest creative risk you’ve ever taken in the studio that actually paid off in ways you never saw coming?
Honestly the biggest risk was putting ‘Rip Off The Bandaid’ on the EP. I really wasn’t sure if it would fit the artistic direction I had planned out for the rest of the project but it totally fit. It ended up being the first single!!
How often do you hope to release new music?
I’m not sure! With this EP I had a story that felt like it was worth telling along with a visual and thematic cohesion. I wouldn’t put anything else out unless I had a story I felt was worth telling.
If you could change one thing about the modern music industry overnight, what would it be?
Generative AI! No more Generative AI!!
Do you see AI as a threat to musicians, a helpful collaborator, or something else? How do you plan to keep your music relevant as the industry changes rapidly because of these tools? By embracing AI, avoiding it, or taking a different approach?
I refuse to use generative AI in any part of my life, but I think it’s completely antithetical to use it while making art.
I use songwriting as a form of therapy and the most personal songs I’ve released have been the ones that resonated with people the most.
As an independent artist, why would I “save time” with AI when the time used to make art is the most well spent part of my life?
This isn’t even to mention how harmful data centers are. Thumbs down!!!!
What is the single biggest challenge you currently face as an independent artist?
Trying to figure out how to use social media as a marketing tool
What core themes were you hoping listeners would connect with in your latest track?
‘Sixteen’, along with the rest of the EP, is about insecurity. I hope listeners feel less alone when listening to it.
If you could revisit one decision from your artistic journey and do it differently, what would it be?
I’d start social media sooner!!
What’s one unexpected influence, maybe from outside music, that keeps showing up in your work?
Growing up I was super into musical theater and I think you can definitely hear it in some songs.
What’s one fun or ridiculous moment from the studio or road since this release that still makes you smile?
My producer (Eric) had cookies in his kitchen that I’d go and steal when he wasn’t looking, Eric you are the best!!!
Stream ‘16‘:
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