cloud collecting includes 3-question interviews with women and gender-expansive artists discussing their creativity. I'm excited to have Crystal Dorval who releases music as White Poppy share a few insights into her process. I first heard her dreamy bedroom-produced sounds from DJ Alex on KEXP, and I've been a huge fan ever since. Please take a moment to follow her here, every bit of support helps.
White Poppy is the solo project of British Columbian musician Crystal Dorval. Since forming in 2012, she has released six full-length albums alongside an array of singles, extended improvisations, collaborations, and sound meditations. Her music exists at the axis of dream pop, shoegaze, new age, bossa nova, and ambient, as concerned with texture and hypnosis as it is with melody and hooks. 2020 saw the release of Paradise Gardens, the first chapter in a trilogy. The second volume, Sound Of Blue, was released on October 6th, 2023.
1. Your DIY mentality has always inspired me. When did you start to record on your own and did someone guide you towards this type of musical independence?
I started recording myself around 2011. At first I was just trying to capture my ideas and demos and wasn’t thinking of getting into actual recording. I started playing around with a variety of janky methods and eventually got a 4 track cassette tape recorder, and that tool inspired a big wave of creativity and got me really into self recording.
2. What is your creative process like and do you have a specific schedule you like to follow?
I have a hard time with schedules but for the last few years I have found the mornings to be a natural time to work. I think I am pretty cyclical and get bursts of productivity. I also tend to get pulled around by inspiration so I jump in when inspiration strikes as well.
3. How do you cloud collect (connect to childlike wonder) in your creativity?
I am big on childlike wonder these days. I think it comes pretty naturally now as a result of doing a lot of inner child healing and reparenting work. I also make an effort to prioritize playfulness and experimentation. If I feel disconnected, then things like appreciation of beauty and natural phenomena are helpful portals into states of awe. Especially flowers!