This month’s Writers on Track spotlights the talented Canadian singer-songwriter Begonia, with Birthday Cake Media and Warner Chappell Music. Riding a wave of success, she’s earned JUNO and Polaris Prize nominations, and her latest EP, Open Swim, was released in July 2024. The EP captures the experience of navigating conflict and the sense of elation that comes from being honest with others and, ultimately, with yourself.
What’s your favorite part of the songwriting process?
My favourite part is the vulnerability and elation in the collaboration process. When you’re writing and you get that unexplainable feeling that you’re onto something and it’s like the room feels electric and vibrational. The writing process can sometimes feel like you’re wading through a sea of weeds but then when you really focus and tap into something it is SUCH a special feeling.
What’s your biggest session highlight so far?
Oooo I’ve had so many! I’d say one of the more recent ones was hearing the string arrangement come together for a song on my last record called “Cold Night”. I knew the song needed something extra to feel complete and had been sitting on the demo for a long time. Matt Peters and Matt Schellenberg (production duo deadmen) brought forward the most beautiful string arrangement and when it finally came to life in the studio…it changed everything about the song for me. I remember just sitting in the control room watching the players bring such an emotion and lushness to the track, and I was just listening and holding back happy tears.
How much do current market and track trends impact your creative process?
I realllllly try to not pay attention to what’s “trending” in order to really dive into my own creative process. Obviously as someone who’s chronically online it’s hard to ignore certain pulls but I find whenever I’m too wrapped up in trying to live up to what’s “hot” right now…I stray further and further away from my own art and sense of peace.
Listen to Begonia on Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify.
