Between Vulnerability and Comfort: Philine on Her Newly Released EP “the truth of living in reality”
Shortly after the release of her new EP „the truth of living in reality“, Philine sat down with us to share an intimate look behind the music. In our conversation, the Dutch singer-songwriter opened up about the creative and writing process that shaped her latest work, her excitement for the upcoming tour, and the pivotal moments that led her into the music industry. Beyond the music, Philine also revealed the simple joys and hobbies that keep her grounded.
Let's get started:
Michelle: First of all, thank you so much for talking to us today. I'm sure by now, most people have heard about you and your music, but maybe for those who haven't, could you shortly introduce yourself?
Philine: So, my artist's name is Philine, and I make music, really as an outlet, like a lot of other artists as well. I've been mostly inspired just by listening to the music I grew up listening to, for example, Fleetwood Mac, but also artists like Kacey Musgraves. I love the country songwriting style, just being forward and honest, and speaking from the heart. And I think instrumentally, I love guitars, I love experimenting with other guitarists, and I think you can describe my style as honest, forward, indie pop.
Michelle: I think that describes it quite well! Last week, your highly anticipated EP, “the truth of living reality” was released. I believe it very much captures what you just said about your music, and I was wondering if you got a chance to celebrate the release, and if there was anything special that you did to celebrate the moment?
Philine: No, actually, the night of release, I just played a bunch of card games with my girlfriend and my roommate. When I have a release, especially an important one, I have all these locks on my social media, and I try to stay away from the numbers as much as I can. I don't like focusing too much on it. I tried to celebrate it in a more cozy way. But, throughout the week, I've been very excited about it, and I'm just looking forward to people listening to it. So, yeah, the celebration is more just me being grateful and being very excited about all the sweet comments I've received so far.
Michelle: That sounds very sweet! The EP is named “the truth of living in reality”. Can you explain the title?
Philine: Before this EP, I released a different EP, which was called “the side effects of living in reality” and the writing of the two EPs were kind of in the same period of time, two sides of the same coin and I felt like it could be divided; the first EP was more me about my escapism, about me getting lost inside my head and disappearing a lot, maybe even isolating myself a little. I also wanted to show the benefits of my fantasy world, because I'm a big dreamer, so the first EP was more about that. And then the second EP was actually more about things that were happening in reality and things that I had to face, things that I had to deal with, things that I had to shape opinions about, and things I had to experience. During the writing process, I really tried to challenge myself to experience the things that were happening instead of escaping. I was basically practicing feeling what there is to feel. So this EP felt like, “No, I'm not going to go into escape mode anymore, I’m not disappearing inside of my head, I'm going to face what there's to face.” I think these six songs are really just about me facing the subjects that I was uncomfortable about or just really facing my reality, for once.
Michelle: Yes, I was actually going to ask about that later, because I personally feel that thematically, there’s a lot of growth from the first EP to the second. But it definitely seems like they are somewhat intertwined, because the second one seems to reflect a lot upon the first. You said that they were written at a very similar time. Can you give us a bit of insight into the writing process, the creative process?
Philine: For the second EP, most of the songs were written a little later, but they still felt like they were overlapping with the songs from the first EP. My writing process usually involves two ways of writing. One way is very structured and scheduled. I go to the studio with my producer, and I lay my heart on the table and say, "Okay, this is what I'm going through”. I also journal, especially during the writing of both EPs, so I bring my journal and show my producer. Afterwards, we worked from 12:30 pm to 6 pm, and I'd go home with a song. Later, I would decide if I wanted to keep it or not. But that way, I felt like I had this structure, which was great because I'm somewhat of a chaotic person. That's one way for me to write songs. The first EP, “the side effects of living in a fantasy”, was mostly written like that.
And then, in the process of the second EP, I started writing more and more at home as well, especially with my girlfriend, Anne Roos. And then it would be the complete opposite because she would play something on a guitar at like 9 p.m., and we would be like, “Oh, yeah, okay, we have to write something down,” And then we would just write until like 5 in the morning. So our sleeping schedule would be out the door, and we would just be in hyper focus all night. I'm pretty much a morning person. I need a little bit of structure in my writing, but I also need the freedom to still have structure with a little bit of chaos. Because I feel like at night, different subjects come to the surface, and I really need that kind of vulnerability too. Lately, I've written more and more songs at home instead of the studio because I feel like the night just captures a little bit of a more fragile side.
So those are like my two [writing processes]. And very rarely, I write by myself, that's like the least probable thing that happens. I just really like to write with other people. But usually, it's either a guitarist or a producer, so it's still me on lyrics and melodies. But I just really get inspired by someone else's music and influence. So, when they play pre-chords, that's basically how I can start writing.
Michelle: That’s a really interesting insight, and it sounds like a very healthy balance between having a bit of a structure, but also, you know, having the freedom to just write whenever you feel like it. You said that, especially with the late-night recordings, there’s a certain vulnerability that comes into it. And I personally feel like lots of your songs, especially those on the new EP, feature very personal and emotional topics. How difficult is it to put those into songs that the entire world can listen to?
Philine: It depends on the subject. For me, when it's just about me and my internal world, it feels like a relief to be able to write about it. Sometimes it's difficult when you feel like the subject is just very important to you, and you want to make sure that you've really described it in the most accurate way. Then it can be challenging, but mostly it's just a relief to get it off my chest. I've got two ways to deal with things, and that's either by talking about it with somebody or writing about it. So, I really got to get it out, to get it structured. Otherwise, it stays in my head, and it turns into chaos. But the more challenging part for me was when it was about other people as well. When I write about others in my songs, it gets more challenging because it's not just me I'm opening up about, it's also other people. So, I think it's been more of a journey to kind of feel comfortable writing those things as well, without feeling like the people around me are unsafe with all their experiences around me, because I'll write about them. So, yeah, that's more of a challenge. Right now, that's something I'm still figuring out: how I want to do that and what kind of responsibility I have as a writer when I do that.
Michelle: Yeah, I definitely understand that. For the EP, do you have a song that's very personal or special to you, or one where you would say that it is your favorite from the recent EP?
Philine: I think probably "ten years time" would be my favorite. I think that was just really something, especially the first verse. I was struggling with that a lot, with future thoughts and the thought of how I wanted to build my life and what that would look like. How would that look, just being in a relationship with another woman? Do I know if I want to start a family in the future? And I was overthinking a lot about that and how to combine it with my career. And I was also feeling a lot of unnecessary guilt, for example, taking away the future father of my child, and just overthinking, it's totally unnecessary. And I don't even agree with my thoughts. But I was just feeling super aware of everything. And so, I thought this song that I proceeded to write would be just me expressing my concerns, but it actually became way more special because it's really me, just telling myself, that's all later. That's all future you.
Some things will just unfold themselves, and you've just wasted all this time overthinking it. And sometimes I think I can prepare myself better by overthinking, but I've come to realize that's a myth, you know. And this song really just is me reassuring it doesn't help; you're not preparing yourself, you're just taking yourself away from the present. So that song may not be the most vulnerable one, but it's definitely the most comforting and the most personal and the most specific one. Yeah, so I think that's probably my favorite right now.
Michelle: I think it also resonates with a lot of fans, and I believe it's also one of the fan favourites right now, right? I’ve looked at your Instagram and I saw lots of people comment that it was their favourite song and that they can really relate to those feelings and can see themselves in a similar position.
Philine: Yeah, it's so funny because to me, it felt so specific, but I even had this bit of lyrics where I sing about my girlfriend. She's a Capricorn, and I'm a Gemini, and I have these lyrics about it. And I've had so many people come up to me, like “oh, my God, my girlfriend's a Capricorn and I’m a Gemini,” and even though it is so specific, it still resonates. It's so, so funny and so great to see.
Michelle: It is definitely very cool! You're also going on tour very soon. Can you give us a little bit of insight into what kind of shows fans can expect?
Philine: I think I'm trying to limit it more and more, but I talk a lot during the shows, because I love connecting with the people in the crowd. I really want to create an atmosphere where they’ll talk to the people around them as well, or feel motivated to open up to their partner or friends a little bit more after the show. So, I think the main thing I want to capture in my shows is just honesty and openness.
Apart from that, I just play a lot of songs that I'm very excited about. I've actually added a new member to my band, so we have a slightly bigger band; we're six right now. I feel like we've worked really hard on this show, and it's really starting to come alive. It just feels special. The last time I went on tour, I had such beautiful moments, and you just can't create those moments online, you know? It's something that's reserved specifically for the tour because it's just so special to connect in person. I think connection and openness are probably what you can expect.
Michelle: That sounds beautiful. For the upcoming tour, you gave fans the opportunity to suggest cities for you to play in. If you could personally choose any city in the world to play, is there a place that you would especially love to perform in one day?
Philine: I would love to go on tour in Germany because every time I'm there, I really feel like the people understand the essence of my music somehow. I don't have a specific city; I went to Munich, I went to Hamburg, and I went to Leipzig. I don't know what else? I would love to go to Berlin because I've never played there before. I've also been planning on going to the US, as well. I would love to go to Nashville and just play there and meet other songwriters. I've played in London and like it there a lot as well. I would love to go back to the UK. I think those three countries, Germany, the UK, and the US, probably. Even though I've already been to London and Germany a couple of times, I really want to go back there and just play bigger crowds.
Michelle: As a German, I can say that I’m sure Germany would very much appreciate you coming here. And, I mean, I personally live close to Hamburg, so I’d say Hamburg would be a great city!
Philine: I loved Hamburg, it was so nice! I really do want to go back there.
Michelle: Apart from music, do you have any hobbies or just anything that you like to do in your free time?
Philine: Yes, I really love cooking. I'm just somewhat of a kitchen nerd. I have a bunch of kitchen aid. I love Indian recipes. And actually, like all Asians, I love the Thai kitchen, the Indonesian kitchen. It really feels like an outlet of creativity. It feels very meditative. I also love to draw. I don't do it enough, but I really want to do it more because it's something I enjoy doing. I'm not particularly good at it, but it calms me.
Michelle: When I looked at your Instagram, I saw that you were drawing on a couple of vinyls for a giveaway. I thought that was such a sweet idea!
Philine: Oh, thank you! Generally, I would love to experiment a little bit more with taking a sketch pad and pencils to the studio and drawing while I write, because I feel like colors are inspiring and triggering in a good way. So yeah, I'd say cooking and drawing are like my biggest hobbies. And there are a couple of other things where I feel like they should be my hobbies. Like I sometimes enjoy doing yoga and get into a yoga hyper focus, and sometimes I run, but I feel like if it didn't have any mental health or physical benefits, I don't know if I would do it just for me. So, it's still kind of goal-oriented, I'd say. But drawing and cooking are just for my own enjoyment.
Michelle: Alright! You've been doing music for quite a few years now, and in the “waste a life” music video, there are lots of clips of you from your childhood that show you at a very young age and then progressively getting older and just singing, dancing, performing, and playing on the piano throughout the years. And now you're here, selling out venues. Was there a certain moment for you where you knew, like, “Oh, I belong in the music industry”?
Philine: When I was 16, I entered a songwriting competition, and I think I ended up within the final 25 competitors. During that competition, I had to write one song every week. So we’d get an assignment, and we’d just have to write and send it in. For me, that was kind of a confirmation that I was able to do that, that I had it in me. When I entered that songwriting competition, I knew that I could write whenever I wanted to; I just had to set my mind to it. And I think that was the moment when I was like, “Huh, I might belong in the industry”. I used to think I would just become a songwriter for other people, which was also my first mindset. But then I kept thinking about whether I would regret it if I didn't perform my songs myself instead of writing them for others. That was when I realized the real passion is also in my own projects, and my own songs, and from the moment I was 16, I knew I was going to end up in the music industry, mostly as an artist or a songwriter.
Michelle: Do you have any advice for people who are just now starting out with their career or maybe even unsure if they should give it a try?
Philine: I think the biggest advice would be to just keep practicing, keep doing what you're doing, and that's with everything. You don't become a professional overnight, and if you see everything as practice and are not too hard on yourself during the process, then it becomes a lot easier. I've also taught songwriting to a bunch of students, and the main thing that I see people struggling with is just being too focused on the end product already. And [people] being like, "Oh, I'm this age," and “I see other people my age have this and this career,” and just really, it freezes them, you know, it paralyzes them. I think the most important thing is just to see every inch as practice; even a bad song you've written is good practice.
Michelle: We're coming to the end of the interview. Is there any question that you wish interviewers would ask, but they never do?
Philine: Oh, no, not really. I'm actually always surprised by how original the questions get. I'm like, “Oh, I would've never thought of that”. I just really like a surprising question, and I feel like the more personal it gets, the more I enjoy it as well. I really love to dive deep, and I just love a good, deep conversation. Obviously, there are some subjects that even I would say are too private, but it doesn't happen too often. So, yeah, I just really love a good, deep conversation.
Michelle: I think that's quite special. I feel like oftentimes artists try to keep the focus on the music and try not to get too personal. So, I think it's very unique that you are so open about these things!
Philine: Oh, I love it. And I mean, I love philosophy, I love psychology. I love to dive deep, and I feel like my personality and my listeners' personalities are never just connected through my music. Of course, we can chat about the music, but we can also chat about other subjects, we can chat about experiences, we can chat about life. You know, that's the interesting part. Like the songs are just songs, but what they're about is the interesting thing, and that is just life and the experiences we all share and talk about.
Michelle: I think that's a beautiful message. And, as you mentioned, your tours being a space for people to just get close and talk to each other and to exchange whatever they have on their mind, I think that’s really a great thing!
Michelle: To bring the interview to an end; we have a playlist where artists can recommend songs, do you have any songs that you would want to put on the playlist?
Philine: Let me check what I've been listening to this week. She’s called Audrey Hobert. I don't know if you know her, but she just has something about her musical style that I really like. When I teach songwriting, I usually tell students, "Oh, you don't have to use too many words, and you can say a lot with just a very few of them”. But this artist, she just uses her words in a way, and I love it because it's so cleverly written, and she just gives so much context, context that might feel unnecessary, but it just gets you into the state of her busy mind. And I feel like it's kind of similar to how my brain works, so listening to her music just made me feel a little seen. The song I've been listening to is called Phoebe. I like it a lot.
Michelle: I'll put that on then, and I'll definitely check that out!
With “the truth of living in reality” now streaming everywhere, Philine invites listeners into a world that embraces the beauty and chaos of uncertainty, leaning into life’s messiness and overthinking, only to remind us gently that it’s all going to be okay. Honest yet reassuring, the EP feels like a soundtrack for anyone learning to let go and live in the present. And if hearing it in your headphones isn’t enough, there are still a few tickets left for her upcoming tour!
LISTEN TO "THE TRUTH OF LIVING IN REALITY" HERE:
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WRITTEN BY
Michelle
I write about the stories and emotions that shape music, with a special focus on the artists who bring them to life on stage. My work often explores the cultural impact of music through the lens of live performances and pop culture. Highlighting the voices of female artists and their evolving place in the industry is especially important to me, and I love conducting interviews that uncover the artistry and personality behind the music.
