Becca Harvey from Atlanta, known as girlpuppy, discusses her journey of self-discovery, the pain of friendship breakups, and the distinctive writing approach behind her second album, ‘Sweetness.’
Listen: ‘Sweetness’ – girlpuppy
Emerging indie rocker Becca Harvey, or girlpuppy, is undeniably a lovergirl and openly embraces this aspect of herself. Her moniker ‘girlpuppy’ originated from her Instagram handle during high school, reflecting her affection for dogs. “I feel like I embody the spirit of a puppy,” Harvey shares. When prompted about which breed she would be, her response is immediate: “You know those little white dogs with brown stains under their eyes? That’s me. I’d be one of those scruffy little white dogs.”
Despite our first meeting being over Zoom, Becca Harvey radiates warmth through the screen. The singer is nestled in her bedroom, surrounded by antique picture frames and shelves filled with knick-knacks. Conversing with Harvey resembles reconnecting with a longtime friend, and that same sensation is conveyed while listening to her recent album, ‘Sweetness’ (released March 28th via Captured Tracks).
Having grown up in a small Southern town, Becca’s early exposure to music came from top 40 radio and her parents’ playlists, which included artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Shania Twain, and many others. As she honed her musical taste, she discovered a profound connection to the works of Elliot Smith, Lana Del Rey, and Liz Phair.
These influences are evident throughout ‘Sweetness,’ particularly in Harvey’s sincere and unapologetic songwriting. She lights up when Lana Del Rey is mentioned during the interview, stating, “I was listening to so much of Lana’s ‘Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard’ while making this album. It’s so underrated; it might be one of her best.”
The ten tracks on ‘Sweetness’ chronicle a four-year relationship from Harvey’s perspective. Over the course of 32 minutes, she guides listeners through the various stages of loss and grief experienced after the relationship. “‘Sweetness’ embodies a lot of sorrow following a first true love heartbreak,” Harvey explains. “Most of the songs for this album were written 2 or 3 years ago, so it really feels like a time capsule of all the grief I was experiencing then. It’s a nice encapsulation of those feelings and serves as a reminder that I got through it.”
While primarily focused on a romantic relationship, there are moments in the album where Harvey touches on the painful nature of friend breakups as well. The lead single “Champ” addresses this sentiment. “I feel that my friendships are just as intimate as romantic relationships, albeit without the commitment and physical affection,” she reflects. “I care deeply for everyone in my life and easily form attachments. Writing about friendships comes as naturally to me as writing about romantic breakups, as I believe they hurt just as much.”
You toss me away
And you push me aside
I take it like a champ
I just wanna be your man
You know that I tried
Think you have too much pride
It’s happening again
You don’t wanna be my friend
I just wanna be your champ
– “Champ,” girlpuppy
Becca Harvey has shown herself and the world that relying primarily on one’s voice as an instrument isn’t the limitation it’s sometimes seen as. She overcame the notion that she couldn’t be a songwriter without playing an instrument – citing Matt Berninger of The National as an influence – and found empowerment in creating her sophomore LP.
It’s difficult to envision tracks like “I Just Do!”, a guitar-driven rock anthem from the album, originating as a cappella voice memos on Becca Harvey’s phone. However, that’s how most of the album initially took shape. “Many songs began as voice memos that I shared with my friends Holden Fincher and Tom Sinclair—they would listen and create chords around them,” Harvey explains. “Then I would take them to Alex Farrar, who produced the album. He has a remarkable mind and an excellent ear for sound, really enhancing the overall feel.”
Harvey likens the writing process for ‘Sweetness’ to directing a film, saying, “I felt like a director; similar to movies, where actors bring their own unique abilities and the director provides the script or guidance. That’s how I viewed my role. Alex had an understanding of the materials, and I felt fortunate that he grasped my vision so well. He transformed my simple a cappella voice memos into stunning sonic landscapes.”
Think I’m a masochist
I know you can hurt me
And I’m letting you
I don’t know why I always do
But I’m letting you
‘Cause I like you, I just do!
– “I Just Do!”
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Becca Harvey from Atlanta, also known as girlpuppy, shares her thoughts on self-discovery, the end of friendships, and the distinctive approach she took while creating her second album, 'Sweetness.'