The Five Question Challenge with That Poppy

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

One of the most intriguing artists who is fascinating music fans and social media users around the world is That Poppy.

After accumulating over 9,000 Facebook fans and 16,000 Instagram followers with her captivating posts, the Nashville singer-songwriter’s quirky personality caught the attention of Island Records.

Before she joined artists such as American Authors, Bon Jovi, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and Tove Lo in the Island Records family, That Poppy was torn between two artistic worlds. She danced for 11 years, as she watched both her brother and father follow their passion for music. At the end of the day, she decided to hang up her dancing shoes and focused on creating music that reflected her colorful world.

When music fans listen to her first single for Island Records, “Everybody Wants To Be Poppy,” they will instantly be transported to Ms. Poppy’s imaginative world, which reflects her love for Blondie and No Doubt.

That Poppy took time out of her schedule to tackle The Five Question Challenge! In this edition, the Island Records singer-songwriter talked about overcoming the challenges that she faced breaking into the American music market and how social media helped her build her brand.

Jacob Elyachar: When did you get interested in music? How did your passion evolve into the desire of having a career in the recording industry?

That Poppy: I didn’t choose to do music; music chose me. When I was a little poppy, I assumed everyone had that connection. I assumed everyone felt the same way I did when I heard “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys. As I got older, I realized that I was like, alone with the music. The only way of making sense of that ‘curse’ is to make your own music. It’s kind of like constantly trying to create your own favorite band.

JE: Could you describe your songwriting process to my readers?

TP: I wish I could explain it to myself, it chooses when it wants to be a song.

JE: What are some of the challenges that you faced while trying to break into the American music market? How did you overcome them?

TP: Criticism. People don’t realize that there are a hundred songs that did not make the cut and if you finally put out the ones that you like and immediately the people on YouTube hate it, that kind of sucks. They are missing the point.  The cool thing about my fans is that they really get it, and you can see that in the comments. It’s polarizing. You either get it or you don’t.

Music is this weird magic, and hopefully it is the glue that helps people understand what I’m creating!

JE: How has social media helped you grow your personal brand?

TP: Well, it is a way for people to see me. Social media is just TV now. Instead of different channels or networks, we have apps. Each app requires a different type of content.  Being able to have a presence on every single one of them that is interesting to people, that’s what helped.

JE: If you had the chance to meet with aspiring singer-songwriters, what advice would you share with them?

TP: Listen to a lot of music and figure out what you hate about a song, because that is just as important as what you like about it. I would also say make friends that play music and convince them to write with you and be in your band.

You can connect with That Poppy on social media! Visit her Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & YouTube channels!