A Quick Chat with Ornella

The Bags EP explores themes of screen addiction, self-reflection and identity. What inspired you to turn these experiences into a three-song collection?

Once I noticed that a lot of the mainstream pop music I listen to wasn’t accurately reflecting the world I lived in, I couldn’t stop noticing it. This EP is my attempt to put something into the world that represents how it truly feels to be living in a chronically online, fast-paced society in your twenties, and the impacts it can have on your being as a whole.

The title track 'Bags' has connected with a lot of listeners who relate to doomscrolling and digital burnout. Why do you think that theme resonates so strongly right now?

It’s never been easier to connect with friends, family and fans thanks to social media, but it’s also never been harder to stop relying on devices for everyday tasks and a quick hit of dopamine. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve picked up my phone to check an email or set an alarm only to end up scrolling for hours and consuming content that is a complete waste of brain space. So as the lead single of my debut EP, this track is a big, bold and boppy admission of my digital dependence, and hopefully a way to let others know that they aren’t alone in the losing battle with their ever-growing screentime.

Each song on the EP feels like a different chapter of the same story. How do 'Bags,' 'Edge Of A Cliff' and 'Fall To Your Knees' connect with one another?

I’m so glad you feel that way because this was exactly why I wanted to release the songs as a trilogy! ‘Bags’ opens the EP with a bang, and a realisation that screen addiction and bad habits can quickly spiral into a loss of control over your own life. The willingness to “escape this reality” is further explored in ‘Edge Of A Cliff’, where overthinking past mistakes and a fear of abandonment are shown to be the catalyst for such an addiction. ‘Fall To Your Knees’ then leans into the loss of identity a person can feel when they compare themselves to others, something that’s far too easy to do with unlimited access to everybody’s lives through social media.

'Fall To Your Knees' takes a more stripped-back, folk-inspired approach compared to the other tracks. What drew you towards that sound for the EP's finale?

When I first picked up a guitar and began dabbling in songwriting as a teen I was always drawn to folk sounds and storytelling, and to this day I still enjoy creating songs that fit that genre. The moment my producer Dan Glasgow whipped out his harmonica I knew we were going into folk ballad territory and the plea-filled outro built itself up to be the perfect ending to the EP. Thinking about it now, it’s almost like I rediscovered that part of my identity while I was actively singing about the feeling of not knowing who I am.

One of the key themes in 'Fall To Your Knees' is the pressure of comparing yourself to others. Was it difficult to be that vulnerable in your songwriting?

In all honesty, at the time it didn’t feel difficult at all. This was one of those lucky situations where ‘Fall To Your Knees’ just poured out of me, and the fact that it began as a voice memo during the COVID pandemic is probably what allowed me to really dig into those darker feelings of comparison and inadequacy, especially since that lockdown period was another setback for me as an independent musician who had just started releasing music in late 2019. I knew people would be able to relate in many ways, which made the vulnerability a lot easier to bear.

Now that the Bags EP is finally out in the world, what do you hope listeners take away from the experience?

A new favourite song! And I know that it’s cliché, but hopefully they feel a little less alone in their self-doubt. Whether it’s dealing with negative self-talk, comparing yourself to others, or losing the uphill battle against social media dependency, at the end of the day we’re all humans trying to become the best versions of ourselves one day at a time.

Thanks for the questions, AMS!