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  • Exclusive Interview: Paris WYA Talks Global Storytelling, ‘Treat Me Right,’ and Shifting Perspective

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    Looking for the next destination for a fresh face in pop music? Paris WYA just might be your next ticket to book. From New York to Shanghai to Paris, pop artist Paris WYA is all over the globe. Amidst her studies at Cornell University and travels, we caught up with her, chatting about her newest single, ‘Treat Me Right,’ being a real-life Hannah Montana, growth and gratitude, and what’s next for her.

    IMAGE SOURCE: COURTESY OF TREND PR

    Welcome to The Honey POP! We’re so excited to have you here with us today. To get us started, please introduce yourself to our readers, letting us know a little bit about your sound and what makes your artistry stand out.
    Hello! I’m Paris WYA, and I’m so excited to be here. I like to joke that I’m living my real-life Hannah Montana era — balancing a double life as a full-time college student at Cornell while building my career as a pop artist. This year, I’ve stepped into the dream-pop world. My sound exists somewhere between dreamy, cinematic, and nostalgic. Growing up between Asia, Europe, and the U.S. shapes how I understand emotion and storytelling, and I try to bring that perspective into every song. For me, it’s about creating something timeless: music that’s a little heartbreaking and vulnerable, but also deeply empowering.

    For our readers who have never heard your music before, what is one song from your discography that you would recommend they listen to first?
    If you’ve never heard my music before, I’d recommend starting with ‘Only Time Will Tell.’ It marks the beginning of this new era for me and really sets the tone for my upcoming EP. I think it captures who I am in these early stages as an artist, both sonically and emotionally.

    If you could only choose six emojis to describe your new song, ‘Treat Me Right,’ which six would they be?
    🪞🌫️🌹💌💫🎆

    You stated recently that you want to “bring a cosmopolitan look” to your music. Can you explain this further?
    When I talk about bringing a “cosmopolitan look” to my music, I’m thinking beyond sound. I want to craft a world that feels global, cinematic, and borderless. My work reflects the cities and cultures that shaped me — from the chaos of Asia to the elegance of Europe and the energy of the U.S. I want my art to live in that intersection: modern yet timeless, intimate yet universal. It’s about building a universe where fashion and sound coexist, something deeply personal yet endlessly expansive; something you can connect to whether you’re in New York, Shanghai, or Paris.

    ‘Treat Me Right’ is all about giving your heart up to someone who doesn’t reciprocate. What are some ways that you show love to yourself during life’s more challenging moments?
    I think real self-love comes from how you choose to see the hardest moments. For me, a lot of resentment eventually turned into gratitude. I’ve realized that mindset is everything; if you can shift your perspective, you can turn pain into purpose. When the world feels heavy, I lean into the things that make me feel most alive — whether that’s creating, traveling, hitting the gym, or just taking a day to rest. Growth isn’t always glamorous, but it’s always worth it.

    What does a typical studio day look like for you?
    Studio days are my favorite kind of chaos. No two ever look the same, and that’s what I love most about it. Some days we’ll build a song completely from scratch: writing, producing, and recording the whole thing in one burst of energy. Other times, I’ll walk in with an idea we’ve been bouncing back and forth for weeks that’s ready to go, and we’ll bring it to life in the booth. There’s no “correct” way, just moments where everything clicks. We usually start around 10 a.m., laying down a hook and finding the right direction. By noon, we’re ordering food, because good meals and snacks are non-negotiable. Between takes, we talk about life, trade stories, and somehow that always ends up fueling the music. It’s a mix of spontaneity and intention; the best kind of creative chaos.

    One look at your Instagram feed and we’re already in love. How do you decide which visuals to keep or scrap for new single releases, and how important are visuals to you during this process?
    I’ve always been obsessed with the visual side of things. I make moodboards for almost every song before it’s even finished. While I’m writing, I’m already imagining the visuals: the colors, the mood, the world we’re building. When it comes to deciding what makes the cut, it’s all about what feels right for the current world I’m in. If something doesn’t fit, I don’t force it; I save it, because it might be perfect for the next chapter. Visuals aren’t just part of the process for me — they are the process. They’re how I invite people into the universe I’m creating. The music is the feeling, but the visuals are the world you get to live in.

    IMAGE SOURCE: COURTESY OF TREND PR

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we close out 2025?
    Thank you for having me! I’m so excited for everything that’s ahead. I have a holiday cover dropping soon — something classic, but reimagined through my own universe — and then my upcoming EP, which is definitely my biggest and most personal project yet. I’ve never felt so aligned with what I’m creating, and honestly, it’s just the beginning.

    Listen to ‘Treat Me Right’ now and let us know what you think about Paris WYA’s new song in the comments down below. You can also buzz with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

    Find more exclusive interviews here, honeybee!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PARIS WYA:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

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    Alana

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  • Exclusive Interview: Em Beihold Talks All Things ‘Hot Goblin,’  ‘Brutus,’ And More!

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    Em Beihold has been a mainstay on our playlists ever since her song ‘Numb Little Bug’ came out, so it is no surprise that her artistry is displayed in her newest song ‘Hot Goblin.’ We were lucky enough to chat with Em about ‘Hot Goblin,’ the thematic through lines of her recent music, ‘Numb Little Bug,’ and so much more!

    Stream ‘Hot Goblin’ here!

    Hi Em! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! To start us off, how would you describe your music to someone who is tuning in for the first time? 
    Hello hello! Thanks for having me! I like to describe my music as quirky piano pop that talks about difficult things with a certain degree of levity. I’ve also been described as a popified Regina Spektor, and I really like that description. 

    ‘Hot Goblin’ is your latest track! The lyric video felt like stepping into a fairy tale book. When crafting this track, was the inspiration immediately tied to that aesthetic?
    Not really! When I was writing the song, I was initially thinking more along the lines of the experience of being a woman and how fickle our relationship with confidence can be. The fairytale stuff came after and felt obvious once the concept was solidified. 

    Something that immediately drew us to ‘Hot Goblin’ was the vulnerability hidden within this musically upbeat pop track, the understanding of insecurities, but the ability to still find confidence in that. What do writing sessions look like for a song that presents vulnerability in this way?
    I think my co-writers Nick Lopez, Jason Suwito, and I had a lot of fun figuring out what the term “hot goblin” means. As a girl who definitely feels the pressure to constantly present as put-together, fashionable, hot, etc. (especially from social media), it felt freeing to put a name to the feeling of embracing your insecurities and messy parts while still loving yourself completely and not feeling less than. 
    I also wanted the song to be about that feeling on top of the world one day and at the bottom the next, so ‘Hot Goblin’ became a way to give language to that cycle. Nick has been a close friend since we wrote ‘Numb Little Bug’ together, and Jason came into my life during a rough patch in my career, so there was already a lot of trust in the room. After we laughed about the phrase “hot goblin,” which I brought into the session (kind of as a joke), they both got it and locked in immediately. That balance of humor and honesty made the writing process really special. I write my favorite songs when I’m laughing.

    ‘Brutus’ is another recent release of yours! This track features some of our favorite visuals from you yet! Where did the creative vision for this video come from? And what was that on-set experience like?
     I was really inspired by the movie Amadeus, which my mom showed me when I was going through an intense, unforgiving period of depression, where I couldn’t stop comparing myself to other female artists who were creatively unblocked and more successful than me. I related to the character of Salieri and thought it would be fun to bring that rivalry with Mozart as a vignette alongside a few others to tell the story of what I was feeling. The on-set experience is one I will never forget because it was a day full of fun and laughter with friends, which felt SO full circle after a year of essentially crying every day and hating being in my skin. I was so happy to be me and felt so proud of the art that came out of such a hard time. I also checked off two big goals of mine, which were: one, working with my co-director, Ethan Frank, whom I’ve been a huge fan of for years, and two, fencing in a music video since I was a competitive fencer for many years.

    With both ‘Hot Goblin’ and ‘Brutus,’ the themes around the visuals are locked into days of old, with fairy tales and gladiator times. Is there an intentional through line there? 
    You know what; accidentally yes. It wasn’t intentional, but I think the whole album has puzzle-pieced itself together more than I planned for. It’s whimsical, it has hints of classical music, and instruments like the harpsichord! There’s definitely some fun “historical” stuff in there. 

    Egg in the Backseat came out three years ago! Is there a song on that record that, for you, has just gotten better with time?
    I would say ‘Goo,’ because my fans have really taken to that one at my live shows. It’s kind of a sleeper, dare I say!

    We, of course, have to briefly touch on ‘Numb Little Bug!’ Now that you are three years separated from the release of the track, how has your relationship to this song changed as time has gone on? 
    Oh my gosh! I wrote that song about my unfortunate experience with antidepressants, and now (after lots of trial and error), I’ve found one that has absolutely changed my life. It’s a cool marker of where I was then, and how much I’ve grown. I will always appreciate the response to that song and how much it changed my life.

    Once again, thank you so much for chatting with us! Before we let you go, what can fans look forward to as we close out 2025?
    My debut album is coming out very soon in 2026! It’s the proudest I’ve ever been of anything I’ve made. It’s about my journey through depression, experiencing complete loss of self, and how I have come out on the other side to be the happiest and most me I have ever been. It’s fun and pop and silly, and I’m ready for 2025 to be done so I can finally share this new music with my fans!

    Check out more of our exclusive interviews here!

    We would love to hear from you! What do you think of our interview with Em Beihold? Let us know by commenting below or by tweeting @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EM BEIHOLD:
    INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER

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    Hailey Hastings

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  • Exclusive Interview: Medium Build Talks Country and Life On Tour

    Exclusive Interview: Medium Build Talks Country and Life On Tour

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    It’s been almost two months since Nick Carpenter, or Medium Build, dropped his album Country, and we still can’t get over how genius it is. He refuses to be held down by something so restrictive as genre or a single idea. So every time we listen, there’s something new for us to discover!

    In Country, Medium Build effortlessly blends influences and concepts to land at a complex story told through twelve songs. From ‘Beach Chair’ to ‘Stick Around,’ he takes us through a very real human experience of raw emotion, and shies away from nothing. If this sounds like the perfect album to you, we have good news. He’s taking Country on the road this spring and summer!

    Medium Build has had plenty of chances to connect with crowds through his music, recently touring with names like Lewis Capaldi, Finneas, Holly Humberstone, and Briston Maroney. So trust us when we say you do not want to miss this show. We loved getting a glimpse into Medium Build’s mind in Country so much, we had to learn a bit more about him. Keep reading to learn all about his music, touring, and more!

    Image Source: Courtesy of Sacks & Co

    Welcome to the Honey POP! Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
    I’m Nick from Medium Build! I write songs and walk dogs.

    Country

    Now that your album Country is out, what’s it like to have your songs out in the world? 
    It’s a relief to put music out! Too much room for anxiety before the album releases. Stoked to hear people singing the songs back on tour.

    Your music is a bit of a blend of everything, from country to rap. How do you get to the mix of styles that feels right to you?
    I’m just a sponge. I love all types of music. There’s no desired blend or outcome. I just like getting in the room and seeing what shakes out that day!

    Before Country, you released four other albums. How would you say you and your music have grown since your first album?
    I think I’ve gotten better at saying things. I’m a little less haphazard with my stories. I used to just spit any opinion out without thinking. Dumping journal entries. I think there’s a bit more focus now, in the words as well as the recording process.

    Medium Build’s New Tracks

    The interlude ‘Coming Home Drunk’ separates the album into two sections. How did you go about organizing this story from start to finish?
    I love albums! The way they bob and weave. I’ve always wanted to make a great album, and there’s definitely this desire to make it feel cinematic. Transitions and skits and songs that morph together. You have so much room to play when putting an album together.

    You explore a lot of personal topics in Country. What’s it like translating your experiences and feelings to music, and how have you been able to use music as an outlet for these emotions?
    Songwriting has been a long time tool of mine for internal processing. I started writing songs when I was 13/14 years old, so we’re looking at 20 years of trying to place my overwhelming feelings to music. It’s mainly selfish, but I’m glad folks can take something away from my meanderings.

    You just joined Holly Humberstone on her song ‘Cocoon.’ What drew you to that song? 
    I love the way Holly writes, so conversational; it’s how I like to write. “Now I’ve become a taxidermy version of myself” is such a sick f*cking line. I just adore Holly and everything she does.

    On Tour

    You’re about to set off on a US headline tour. Is there a song that you were especially excited about playing live when you wrote it? Or maybe that you came to love playing live on your recent European tour?
    ‘Can’t be cool forever!’ It’s a huge one I’m really excited to play live. It feels like the most urgent tune on the record.

    You’ve been on tour with some incredible names recently. How does your relationship with your songs change as you begin to play them for live crowds?
    Great question. I definitely have to let go of whatever intention I had. Crowds like what they like. Live shows are group activities. I like to meet the crowd halfway, give them a little of what they want, rather than just whatever I think they need.
    Concerts should be challenging but can contain treats for everyone!

    Given the time you’ve spent on the road recently, how did you balance writing Country with those tours? 
    I just wrote whenever I felt stuff, which happens to be pretty frequent. lol. Tour is an incredibly difficult and taxing experience, and it always teaches you something. There’s so much to notice out here. If the songs are coming, I’m not paying attention.

    In your mini documentary, you showed fans around your town in Alaska. How has your relationship with that community shaped your music? 
    Anchorage and Alaska taught me place and loyalty more than any place I’d ever lived. I learned to be still, to learn the names of the trees and the birds. Alaska reminded me of the romance in our worlds. And all of that shakes out when you start writing.

    Finally, we’ve been listening to your album a lot recently. What have you had on repeat? 
    I’m a broke record on ML Buch! Her new album Suntub is life changing. If I’m not listening to that, I’m listening to Alan Watt’s lectures on YouTube! 👻

    Now that we’ve officially made you all Medium Build fans, make sure to buy tickets to see him here! Then come back to the comments and let us know your favorite song of his. Or find us at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

    Can’t get enough of interviews like this? We’ve got more!

    TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEDIUM BUILD:
    FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE

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    Caitlyn Tarney

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  • It’s Elle Darlington’s World…We’re Just Living In It

    It’s Elle Darlington’s World…We’re Just Living In It

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    Elle Darlington has all the makings of your classic popstar: a whimsical, dynamic vocal range, the songwriting prowess to make any song an instantaneous pop hit, and a high-energy aura that’s both contagious and compelling.

    Similarly to the rest of the world, Darlington started uploading her music to TikTok during lockdown – where we found a fresh way to discover artists without the help of a label. From there, it didn’t take long for the world to fall in love with Elle Darlington, who amassed over 1.1 million followers thanks to her song covers.

    In October of 2023, a few short years after Darlington’s college tutor suggested she start posting her music online, she released her debut single, “wish you would.” Reminiscent of pop-diva greats like Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, Elle Darlington entered the music scene swinging (even hitting insane whistle notes).

    “wish you would” displays her dreamy voice and ear worm-y lyrics that send me back to the early 2000’s. Her voice is glamorous and her music hits the sweet spot between nostalgic and completely, utterly unique. In terms of debut singles, it’s hard to craft one as astonishing an introduction to an artist as “wish you would.”

    Since then, Elle Darlington continues to prove she is bringing back the era of the popstar. Following up with a refreshing holiday song, “Christmas Is You”, Elle often nods to Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” as her go-to Christmas jam.

    And then there’s her latest release, “hiatus”, which blends pop and R&B almost seamlessly. A song about needing a break from someone who isn’t good for you anymore, “hiatus” is yet another immaculate contribution to Darlington’s discography. You can listen to “hiatus” below.


    What makes Elle Darlington different isn’t the features in magazines like Peopleand Rolling Stone, or the record deal with Columbia Records…but the effortless talent that just exudes from her, the way the term “popstar” can be thrown into the mix and no one will bat an eye. Because some people just have the It Factor, and she’s one of them.

    As she takes the world by storm, I got the chance to speak with Elle Darlington about her new singles, what comes next, and much more. Check it out below!

    PD: You’ve been studying music your whole life. Who were your inspirations growing up and how did they influence your career?

    My first awakening into music was watching Hannah Montana when I was super young. The show was what first introduced me to ‘pop stars’. I wanted to be like her so bad! As I grew up a little I was obsessed with Rihanna, Beyonce, and Ariana Grande.

    PD: Your career took off on TikTok, where you began posting covers and gathered a following. Did you have a plan when going on the app? What kind of covers are your go-to?

    No! I had no expectations, it was actually a tutor at my college who suggested I start uploading videos. I made my account for fun in lockdown to keep myself busy and it grew from there. I like to keep my videos spontaneous so there’s isn’t much planning involved. I do love to cover a power ballad though!

    PD: Your debut single, “Wish You Would”, came out in October. After working on this project for over two years, what have you learned about yourself as a songwriter so far?

    I need to write about true experiences. It took a while to become comfortable opening up to people so that my songs could reflect my life and my vision. Once I learned how to channel my emotions it made the process way easier for me and I really feel like the more genuine I am, the more people can relate to my songs.

    PD: You have an amazing way of storytelling. If you had one piece of advice for those starting out, what would it be?

    Don’t be afraid of what people are going to think of you. Everyone starts somewhere! And trust your gut, if you believe in it, go for it.

    PD: Your new song “Hiatus” is coming out in February. What was the inspiration behind it?

    “hiatus” came from a relationship where I was feeling really unappreciated and had to learn to put myself first and walk away. I hadn’t heard the word put into a song before and I thought it was a really interesting way to talk about a breakup.

    PD: What is one thing you want your audience to take away from your music?

    I want my audience to connect my music with whatever they’re going through. Sing along to it, cry along to it.. anything it makes them feel really!

    PD: What’s next for you in 2024?

    I can’t wait to show everyone all the different things I’ve been working so hard on over the past couple of years…so lots of music to be released in 2024! and hopefully a lot of live shows too.

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    Jai Phillips

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