Young artist Scruffpuppie is no stranger to resilience through the hard times. Having turned harrowing past events into positives by drawing on them as inspiration for her creative passions, the artist is a testament to the power of music. For the artist’s new pop-punk single “Assignment Song”, she makes a triumphant return to the industry in a bid to tell her story as a teen battling with drug addiction in the hopes of showing others that there is a chance to rebuild your life for the better.
Explaining “Assignment Song”, Scruffpuppie states, “I wrote ‘Assignment Song’ while I was in rehab, and it was definitely a shifting point in my writing process. I showed the song to marshall and, at the time, it wasn’t anything too special. we recorded it and were blown away by the sound. it was unlike the whole record, a ballad of hope. we proceeded to restructure the song and add a verse and a bridge, and it told the story perfectly. I was so happy with everything. it almost immediately became my favourite song on the record.”
Upon the release of “Assignment Song”, Scruffpuppie sat down with Wonderland to talk about her career and background within the music industry. Head below to enjoy the full interview…
Hey JJ, how are you? How has this past year been for you?
I’m good! Life has been moving incredibly fast! With moving to California and finishing an album, there hasn’t been a dull second yet. I’ve started doing what I have really been needing to do as an artist, which is work full time on my music.
With everything that happened last year, was your creativity impacted?
Yes! But, in the best way possible. This was the first year in so long that I wasn’t dependent on pills or hard drugs, which allowed me so much more time to focus on my art and the impact the sound has on me, my listeners, friends, and family. I worked so much on reworking the messages in my writing and I want to implant hope in the hearts of my listeners. And, I think with this new project, i’m doing exactly that.
How did you first get into music? What sparked the interest?
I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember! I wrote my first song when I was seven. I didn’t realise the type of impact my writing was having until I was about 15, though. I started uploading to YouTube regularly and was reading every comment I got. The response from my music was exactly what I needed to realise I wanted to do music professionally. I was impacting an audience of people. My writing was doing what I meant for it to do, which was to make people feel less alone.
You were born in Paris before moving to Wisconsin, did this impact your sound at all?
Being born in Texas, I started off learning a lot of blues and bluegrass music. This definitely influenced a lot of my interest in music, but not so much of my original sound. Moving from Texas did a lot for my sound, though. I was able to experience so many different styles of artists and music, all of who influenced and inspired me to make music the way I do today
Why then name Scruffpuppie?
I feel like it is fitting for my character in an ironic way. I’ve always been innocent, like a puppy, until I started writing music. I was introduced to drugs at a pretty young age, became addicted to benzos at 15. This was around the same time that I started taking music seriously and working on my first ep, “Zombie Boy”. The name eventually fell into place. Scruffpuppie is the way I describe myself as a less-than innocent puppy.
You started your career at 16. Coming into the industry so young did you feel any pressures?
Of course. Especially being heavily dependent on drugs. I knew I wanted to do music full-time, but having to balance that career with an obsession with binging pills was much harder than I thought it would be. I wouldn’t write for months due to being so enveloped in intoxication. I almost lost my manager a handful of times, and I kept damaging the trust between us. If I didn’t get sober and grow up for a second, then I knew I wouldn’t get to where I wanted to be. It took time and patience on both ends, but I think it’s finally starting to pay off.
And now you’re signed to Phoebe Bridger’s label, how did this come about and hearing this news, how did it make you feel?
I met Marshall in November last year, and we made a song that I really loved. In the same week, I met Phoebe and loved her vision of “Saddest Factory”. It felt like a family I needed to be a part of. When they presented me with a deal, I was ecstatic. I love all of the artists signed so much, and phoebe was like a homie. it just felt like I was in the right place.
You’ve just dropped your new single “Assignment Song”, talk us through the production process!
I wrote “Assignment Song” while I was in rehab, and it was definitely a shifting point in my writing process. I showed the song to marshall and, at the time, it wasn’t anything too special. We recorded it and were blown away by the sound. It was unlike the whole record, a ballad of hope. We proceeded to restructure the song and add a verse and a bridge, and it told the story perfectly. I was so happy with everything. It almost immediately became my favourite song on the record.
Its origins are quite reflective. What was it like tapping into such raw emotions?
It was hard for sure. I didn’t think it was possible for me without drugs. But, after writing and recording it, I was so happy with where I was and where the song was. It told the story of my recovery and re-birth as a sober person, and it made me realise what I was capable of without drugs.
What do you want people to take away from your music?
I want them to know that they can do anything they put their minds too. No matter how far into rock bottom you go, you can always bounce back and change your life. You got this.
Who inspires you?
I take a lot of inspiration from Bon Iver, Blind Pilot, Bright Eyes, etc. Bands I listened to growing up influence a lot of my sound today.
What’s next for you? What are you most excited for?
I just finished filming a music video for my next single ‘Paint’, which I’m ecstatic for. I’m also just ready for people to hear this record. I think it’s going to change everything. I also might be touring next year, and playing live is my favourite experience in the world. I’m super excited for everything that is coming.