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At just 19, colby! is not only establishing herself as a fresh, fearless voice in alternative-pop but also as someone who’s already lived a lifetime’s worth of creative self-discovery. Her debut EP, Dead Giveaway, is a snapshot of her world - messy, vibrant, and deeply authentic.
In our conversation, colby! shares the stories behind the music, from writing with her brother RJ in their makeshift home studio to embracing vulnerability. Whether she’s baking sourdough or spinning abstract stories through her lyrics, colby! is proof that art flourishes when you lean into who you are.
Our chat covered everything from childhood memories to Kandinsky paintings and even the occasional kitchen disaster. What shines through is a rare blend of confidence and humility, an artist with one foot planted in the DIY grit of her Texan roots and the other striding boldly into her future.
So, turn up Dead Giveaway, grab a slice of sourdough, and get ready to dive into all that is colby!
F Word: Hey colby! First of all, congratulations on Dead Giveaway, I can't stop listening! How does it feel leading up to the release of your debut EP?
colby!: Thank you so much! It was a bit like an out of body experience, but very exciting because these songs are very much a part of me. The fact that I am actually releasing the EP, is like "Holy night, I can't believe I am actually doing this."
F Word: At just 19, you’re already smashing it in your music career. Can you share the journey that brought you to this moment?
colby!: The journey! My brother, RJ, graduated from Berklee College of Music, and while he was enrolled, during Covid, he did school online. RJ needed a cowrite, so he just went down the hall, and found 14 year old me. We have been making music ever since.
F Word: The title track is such a poignant exploration of relationships where mutual effort is lacking. What was it like revisiting those emotions while writing and recording?
colby!: Those emotions were very much present. Lol. There was no running away from it or running to it. It was great to get it all out to be honest with you, F Word Magazine.
F Word: The EP feels like a love letter to self-expression, showing a lot of vulnerability. Did this come naturally to you, or is it something you’ve had to grow into?
Colby!: I grew up on Ally & AJ and Shania Twain, which I feel very much embodied, “Hey, you can actually walk with me or walk away. I am still going to be doing my thing.” I think also just the women in my life are the same way. You can lose yourself, but you are going to have to get yourself back. So, yes, this is a natural expression of myself.
F Word: How has it been working so closely with your brother, RJ? You must both be so proud of how far you’ve come!
colby!: We were both homeschooled the whole way through, so we only know working closely together, but this is way more fun to do than homework! We don’t take ourselves very seriously. We are more shocked that we have made it this far.
F Word: Do you ever face creative differences with RJ? If so, how do you resolve them?
colby!: Rarely do we have creative differences. We know how to diffuse disagreements. We normally just sit on it and think about it, and then come to the realisation that the other person was right.
F Word: What’s your earliest memory of realising that music would be central to your life?
colby!: There was not a time of realisation. It was just how it was. There is music everywhere. RJ plays every instrument. My dad sings. It all just came super natural to me.
F Word: I’ve read that you also explore other creative passions like baking and painting. So, I have to ask:
What is the best and worst thing you’ve ever baked?
colby!: Worst thing I have ever baked, was when I was 11 baking a cake with my best friend. It tasted straight up like sushi, and there was no fish in it. It was white chocolate, and it sucked.
The best thing I bake is definitely Sourdough Bread, and it is a weekly thing, or I get in trouble. And I also make mean Buckeye Brownies.
F Word: Who is your favourite painter / what is your favourite painting?
colby!: I like any abstract painting. I don’t have a favourite painter, but I do love Composition VII by Kandinsky.
F Word: You’ve spoken about overcoming severe dyslexia and how art helped you through it. How have those struggles shaped your approach to storytelling and creativity today?
colby!: My brain goes way too fast. There is no overcoming it. It is just figuring out how to control it. I am realllly good at jumping to conclusions and making up stories. I often skip ‘subjects’ in sentences, so that is the biggest struggle I have in writing- is making my writing clear.
F Word: What’s something you hope listeners will take away from Dead Giveaway?
colby!: Selfishly, I hope that that listeners enjoy my music. And I hope they take away that good things come and go, so enjoy what you have right now.
F Word: What does success mean to you, and what do you hope to achieve in your career?
colby!: Success to me is that I am genuinely happy and content. That I am treating people with kindness, and am not losing it over small things. I am learning to enjoy life, make memories, and meeting crazy creative people in the process.
F Word: What's next? Are you already dreaming up ideas for your next project, or are you taking time to soak in this milestone?
colby!: The train does not stop! We are full steam ahead. We are coming up with new songs, and I will be writing until my fingers fall off.
F Word: Lastly, this is F Word magazine, so we have to ask - what’s your favourite ‘F’ word?
colby!: FOOD. All Caps. Period.
