Music Waves Q&A: BLOCKED
learn more about BLOCKED through dipity's monthly music interview spotlights
Introduction
In the indie music world, where raw emotion and genuine storytelling often take center stage, BLOCKED’s music emerges as a testament to this ethos. BLOCKED is a self-produced singer-songwriter who has carved out a niche for herself in the music industry by utilizing her distinctive style to tell an intense story. Her music reflects her intense emotions, often coming in waves. She validates the intensity of these feelings, reassuring others that it's perfectly normal to experience such emotions. For BLOCKED, creating music is a way to communicate with those who have influenced her life and with whom she might struggle to speak with openly. Her music is a testament to the power of self-expression and a journey that invites listeners to share in her deeply personal and cathartic experiences.
Q: What is your name? AND Where are you currently located?
My name is Belinda, and I’m currently living in Australia. I’m originally from Singapore.
Q: What’s the story behind your artist name?
When I was young, I was blocked by somebody I dated. I got petty and imagined being introduced like, “...and she is BLOCKED,” hoping they’d somehow hear it and remember me. Though it started as an immature idea, I’ve kept the name over the years as I find the backstory so cringeworthy that it’s hilarious lol.
Q: How did you begin your journey into the world of music? AND How long have you been in the music industry?
I was influenced by music from bands like My Chemical Romance and Paramore during my early years, and funnily enough, I discovered them through Neopets. Back then, users could add codes allowing instrumental music to play in their personal Neopet shop and that’s where I found many songs that I’m still a fan of till today. My passion for music grew from there and I began experimenting with virtual music instruments. By the time I turned 13, I started to learn to play the guitar and learnt a lot by trying to cover songs from my favorite artists. That was when I really dived into music production (e.g. learning the best recording techniques, mixing and mastering) and also wrote my first few songs.
However, I was still young and music was something I had to pursue intermittently, as school and part-time work often took priority. But when I turned 17, I joined a band with a few of my friends from school and we had the opportunity to play a few shows, which was such an exciting learning experience. I continued to expand my knowledge of music through YouTube tutorials and have made it a point to seek inspiration from a wide variety of musical genres ever since.
Q: What inspires you an artist? Give us some insight into your creative process.
My music draws inspiration from artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, and Soccer Mommy. I’ve always looked up to how they could write such honest lyrics along with complex instrumentation. Most of their music consists of vocal harmonies too, which is something I’m a huge fan of. I’ve also learnt from them that every small detail that I once felt like was a mistake (e.g. the sliding sound on a guitar fretboard while changing notes) actually gives the song more characteristic and depth. Hence, they’re a major influence on my creative process and strive to capture a similar authenticity and emotional vulnerability in my own music like them.
Q: What's your favorite song you've released? AND Why?
My favorite song that I've released is "i don't mind." It's deeply personal, which was a challenge for me because I'm not usually comfortable being so open with my emotions. But I realized that honesty was the most important thing I could bring to my song, and it’s been rewarding to know that others connected with it. I love everything about it, from the lyrics to the instrumentation, and especially the vocal harmonies at the end chorus.
It also holds a special place for me because it was my first collaboration work. I worked with my friend, Tom Hitchcock (@tomdahomie) on Instagram who helped produce that track along with my EP, no worries. He taught me a lot about music production and brought so many creative ideas that helped elevate the track far beyond what it was initially.
Q: What's an upcoming project or which event(s) are you excited about?
I'm really excited about my recent collaboration with Ballance (@thisisballance) on his track "unravel." It leans more towards electronic music which is the complete opposite of what I typically do. This pushed me way out of my comfort zone but it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the creativity behind that genre. I also have a huge backlog of unfinished songs that I’m not quite satisfied with yet but I’m working on perfecting them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to release some of them in the near future!
We love to read and get inspired by lyrics. Share the title of a song and its lyrics (one of your favorite songs you've either written or released).
i don’t mind.
I can’t help but go on about it. The chorus is:
i don’t mind if you hurt me berate me degrade me and love me despise me still need me then dispose me
It reflects the inner turmoil of being in a manipulative relationship where I’m so infatuated with someone and the idea of them, that I tolerate mistreatment just to keep them in my life. It also touches on my tendency to be a people pleaser and my struggle with setting boundaries, which is something I’m still working on.
Q: What are your thoughts about the world of poetry?
Poetry is fascinating because poets express themselves in distinctive ways, and readers interpret poetry in various ways as well. One of my favorite poems is “since feelings is first” by E.E. Cummings. It emphasizes how important it is to prioritize our emotions over reason. As someone who often trusts my heart over head, this poem makes me feel justified in my decisions and inspires me to embrace life fully “for life’s not a paragraph And death i think is no parenthesis.” Cummings’ expressive yet unique writing style is incredibly motivating too, and I aspire to capture that same style when I’m writing my lyrics.
Interestingly, I first encountered E.E. Cummings’ works through the band, La Dispute. Songs like “Such Small Hands” and “Nobody, Not Even The Rain” Here’s a link below to both songs merged together—inspired by Cummings’ poem “somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond,” demonstrating the beautiful relationship between poetry and music.
Q: What is one book you’d recommend to others?
One of my favorite books is "The Trouble with Being Born" by Emil Mihai Cioran. I've read it many times on different occasions, and I've never gotten bored of it. It challenges preconceived beliefs about life and encourages readers to embrace the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.
My favorite quote is “When every man has realized that his birth is a defeat, existence, endurable at last, will seem like the day after a surrender, like the relief and the repose of the conquered.” It’s kind of like “it is what it is” and to accept the predicament we are stuck in. Only then could we find solace, making life more tolerable.
Though some readers criticize Cioran for his bleak and depressive perspective, calling his works a verbatim vomit of unending hopelessness, I find his wit and perceptive views on life to be really engaging. His ability to convey the darker aspects of existence in a humorous yet incisive way appeals to me.
Q: What was the last song you listened to that you recommend others check out?
The last song I listened to was “Kinky” by the band bby, and it has been on repeat for WEEKS! It has such an upbeat energy and every time I listen to it, I feel like the main character in a coming of age film living my best life. It puts me in a silly goofy mood like I just want to mosh, dance my heart out, and probably stage dive lol. The music video is creatively shot using body cam footage, which adds a unique touch. Even though they currently have ~1.89k subscribers on YouTube, I reckon they’re on the verge of blowing up.
Q: Who are some of your favorite artists and musicians that you listen to?
Carissa’s Wierd: “They'll Only Miss You When You Leave” is one of my all-time favorite songs. Honestly, their entire discography is flawless. Their music has this raw, unpolished quality that feels so intimate, which is rare to come by nowadays—even if it’s a stylistic choice, it feels genuine. The melancholic melodies, paired with their somber lyrics, evoke such deep nostalgia and longing. Their music has been a consistent source of comfort throughout my life, and I truly believe they deserve a much bigger audience.
Desolate: Whenever I need a burst of energy, I turn to “MissingNo. [177013]” by Desolate. The song’s dynamic tempo changes and intense breakdowns never fail to hype me up. I love how they blend synths with heavy instruments to create a rich, layered sound that makes the entire experience so immersive. Their music videos are also top-tier!
To Check Out More of BLOCKED’s Music Visit:
Instagram: @iamstillblocked
Follow and listen to more on Spotify [Here]
Subscribe to YouTube [Here]
Join Bandcamp [Here]
Any other thoughts, comments, or shares after listening and reading the interview?
[Interview Processed By VFORROW]
Thank you so much, BLOCKED, for sharing and submitting to Dipity Lit Mag! ~ Jazz Marie Kaur (Vevna Forrow).
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