SVRCINA

Pop-singer SVRCINA shares her Christian testimony. SVRCINA talks about her feature with rapper Hulvey and Grammy award winning rapper Lecrae on “Reasons”, major sync-licensing placements she has had, and the fall release of her up-coming album Orchards.

Pop-singer SVRCINA shares her Christian testimony. SVRCINA talks about her feature with rapper Hulvey and Grammy award winning rapper Lecrae on “Reasons”, major sync-licensing placements she has had, and the fall release of her up-coming album Orchards.

*The transcription of any lyrics and some of the interview content may not be entirely accurate. *

[00:00:34.520] - SVRCINA
Oh, it's so inspiring, just listening to other people and so I'm super grateful to to be able to share as well.

[00:00:41.720] - Gaelika
Thank you. I appreciate it. But it is definitely helpful to hear other people's testimonies. And it's like it's a good reminder to share yours as well, because you kind of sometimes forget.

[00:00:55.930]
Yeah, that's very true. Yeah. I actually that kept coming up at the beginning part of this year about the power of testimony and yeah, like nobody can take away from you your story and what God does in a person's life. That is something that yeah. The power of God in a person's life. No one can explain that away. It just is. And so it's powerful when we get a chance to share our story. And it could even be like something super small that ends up like really speaking to somebody.

[00:01:33.800] - Gaelika
Yeah, you never know what connects with people?

[00:01:35.840] - SVRCINA Yeah, it's true.

[00:01:38.390] - Gaelika
Do you mind if I ask what interviews you heard or do you remember the artist?

[00:01:44.480] - SVRCINA
Yeah. So I listen to Wande and then I started listening to the little bit of Social Club Misfits. And then there was one other gentleman that I was listening to this morning. Oh, my gosh, I pulled the tab off. I've never seen him before. OK, so that was. Really interesting to listen to him as well. It wasn't like a playlist of maybe it was Sheppard, OK, that's what it was. Yeah, so OK.

[00:02:18.250] - Gaelika
Yeah. All right. So the social club, I was like my original format where I would weave in your guys his music. So what I did a while ago, but I can't do that anymore on YouTube.

[00:02:32.140] - SVRCINA
Oh, you can't. Is it just like a little Patchy?

[00:02:36.640] - Gaelika
No. Like though because of the licensing. Like it's not. It's not. The artist's music is not my music. YouTube, like, makes you jump through hoops. It was a little it was easier back then, but then it just got more challenging. And plus it's also just time consuming on my end because I literally am the one doing everything. So

[00:02:59.380] - SVRCINA
you are OK.Oh my goodness. So I am curious. I know we're about to start but. So you started. How long has this podcast been something that you've done.

[00:03:10.210] - Gaelika
Yeah, since 2013 was the first year. Yeah. Serious. And then I got my two year hiatus or was a three year 2016. I was No. Twenty seventeen. I think it was the last one I did. And then when COVID hit and came back OK, something was like a three year hiatus. So when I came back I just, I'm doing this straight interview format style

[00:03:38.890] - SVRCINA
OK. Oh so wonderful. Oh I love it. All right.

[00:03:45.220] - Gaelika

Well, let's go ahead and start with your. Well first I want to make sure I pronounce your name correctly. It's SVRCINA.

[00:03:54.100] - SVRCINA SVRCINA

[00:03:54.670] - Gaelika
SVRCINA oK, and is that your last name?

[00:03:57.190] - SVRCINA
Yes, it is. And it is totally spelled that way. So we didn't change that. That is definitely. Yes, that's correct. I was going for it.

[00:04:07.120] - Gaelika
Where is it originate from or was the origins.

[00:04:10.420] - SVRCINA
Yeah, the heritage is Czech and a little bit of German. It's kind of a mixing pot. But Czech it's OK.

[00:04:19.390] - Gaelika
Yes, well it seems like the perfect stage name and the perfect spelling because everyone's like adding "V"s in their name when it's like supposed to be in a U.

[00:04:29.990] - SVRCINA
U. Yeah, exactly. It's like churches. Yeah. People have definitely gotten very creative with the language symbols and being creative with lettering. So but so it totally works. It's not like out of left field, but it is my name for sure. So and then my first name is Molly.

[00:04:50.320] - Gaelika
Is there a reason why you chose to just go by your last name and not your first or your first and your last name?

[00:04:56.620] - SVRCINA
Yeah, it's definitely been an interesting, like artistic evolution. I started in music super young and I actually started doing country music first. And so at the time I was going by my first name, Molly, for a little bit, Molly SVRCINA. And then I was like the country days. I have family in Kentucky and on my grandmother's side with my mom, their last name was Hunt. So there is a little bit that I was going by Molly Hunt. And then as I was just continuing to evolve creatively and as an artist, someone had someone I worked with was suggested and he's like, your last name is like super awesome. You should just, like, use your your name. So I was like, man, you're right. So then that was kind of just like an organic transition, which was a great way to distinguish that season of being a young person, like in music, and then also just kind of a next phase of the journey. So. All right. So, yeah, great.

[00:06:06.550] - Gaelika
And let's start with your first music memory, a song concert. The first thing you remember about music.

[00:06:17.350] - SVRCINA
Oh, my goodness. A couple splashes are popping. I remember my first concert for sure was Plus One concert, which you're with plus one plus one.It was like a Christian boy band vibe. So I went to church down or something.

[00:06:44.440] - Gaelika
The Christian O-Town, Backstreet Boy,s type deal

[00:06:48.820] - SVRCINA
N'sync totally if they had the frosted tips and everything. So it totally was. If I. Yeah. So I definitely it

was a raging fan of them. And so my family went to that concert and then I do remember, like I grew up in church and so my mom was. The worship team at our church in Michigan, I'm from Dearborn, Michigan, originally, and so we would be at church like all day, get up super early. My brother, my mom, dad and I. And then my dad would run sound and then my mom was a singer. And so just being in that environment, like all day long, from morning till night, because they had Sunday services like evening pretty often. And so I remember just being in that environment from a young age and then kind of a spill over there was our children's pastor at that church that was very like very attentive to gifted and young people. So it was literally like five or six. And he was like, why don't you come sing for children's church like your mom? And so that was one of my first memories. Like that idea never crossed my mind. I was like running around the sanctuary, having a good time. I would like want to sing with my mom for a second. But that moment of that children's pastor kind of. In extending an invitation to, like, be a part of children's church with music was definitely like a very early memory of that.

[00:08:22.940] - Gaelika
Wow. So did he even have any inkling that you can sing or just like your mom can sing? So let's get you singing too.

[00:08:31.160] - SVRCINA
I think because I would like run up on the stage and, like, try to sing with her. So I think he was I think he had an inkling. And he also actually invited my brother to run sound for a children's church as well. He has a couple years older than me. So he I think he did know that I had potential maybe in this area and that my I think it was something that I had in common with my mom. And so, yeah, he was like super kind. And there was like the little projector screens with, like, the clear where you would handwrite and write the lyrics or on the clear. Oh yeah.

[00:09:12.350] - Gaelika
old schoolprojectors. Yeah. Like super loud. And they gave out heat, it was hot to be around.

[00:09:19.820] - SVRCINA
Very much so. So I just remember like standing on the stage like. Poem, the lyrics from that guy. And so, yeah, I totally like I'm super grateful because, I mean, singing, I loved it and just would sing around. But of course I was so young, it was never something that crossed my mind. So. Oh, cool. So you say you were born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, and you have an older brother.

[00:09:50.360] - Gaelika Any other siblings?

[00:09:52.400] - SVRCINA
It's just the two of us. He's four and a half years older than me. And like, it's cool because God took him in a completely different path. Like, I'm very creative and my brother is actually in the Navy, so. But it's just the two of us. Yes.

[00:10:07.430] - Gaelika
And then your mom sang in the choir and your dad ran tech and sound at the church. So you were you were raised in the church then?

[00:10:17.270] - SVRCINA
Yes, definitely. It was a part of the, like, family culture for sure. And of course, it's a part of or has been for a long time a part of like American culture in some form or fashion. So I definitely grew up in that environment. And I do have like. I definitely have very early memories of like my mom's relationship with the Lord, I would say is really marked me and has from the time I've been really little.

[00:10:55.420] - SVRCINA
And the older I get and the more that I watched her life up close, just seeing her relationship with God and her commitment to the Lord, like her testimony is pretty, pretty gnarly. I'm like sometimes like someone needs to talk to my mom. She's like crazy. But I do remember it like being very young and

waking up early in the morning and hearing my mom, like, praying like I had a room and a two level house and I would come to the top of the stairs super early and would hear my mom praying downstairs. And so that personal relationship with the Lord was very active in my mom's life and overflowed, of course, into the decisions or how she would like lead our family as well. And then so. Like being in that environment, she would pray over my brother and I would just talk very openly about faith. And then when I was six at a Sunday night service at church, I had a very distinct moment of like I've been in church so many times, of course, before. And then this particular sermon, I had a very like, very distinct moment of, oh, my goodness, like I my heart is black. I need Jesus. And so I was like, it did not matter. I didn't care who was around. I was six years old and gave my heart to Jesus. And then, of course, like as time goes on, there's been so many come to Jesus moment.

[00:12:29.680] - Gaelika
Oh yeah, I'm sure. But at six to think my heart is dark at six I mean, Jesus.

[00:12:37.870] - SVRCINA
Yeah. Like my entire spirit, like fell into my childhood. I was like I, I've never felt this way before, but I know that I need like I need Jesus in my heart. And so I, I do remember that moment. And then over time, like starting to cultivate or like journal at a young age and then start to cultivate that relationship with God as well. And then I think. Yeah, just over time, kind of. OK, now Jesus is in my heart, his Holy Spirit is on the inside of me, but actually having many moments throughout life of surrendering to the Lord as he is the lord of my life, and then also kind of separating where maybe like I can't ride on the culture of my family's faith. And then I also can't it's not going to be like a love triangle when we get to heaven, like I'm really going to stand before the Lord like myself. And so there have been many moments like as I've gotten older, where that's just like a reawakening of that. And so opportunities to surrender my heart in my life to to Jesus as well.

[00:13:58.850] - Gaelika
Awesome. So let's talk about more than like I mean, teenage early adult life, where some of the times where you had to surrender to Jesus a few times, I might stand out the most to you.

[00:14:17.090] - SVRCINA
Yeah, I would say when I was 17, I was kind of like going through a transition of like creatively. I was like working super hard, going to high school. I finished, like, tried to finish that early and then was trying to kind of find direction in life.And I just was like trying so hard to do, like, make things happen. I don't know. I just was like working super hard and like striving in my own strength to do music or whatever in life and was just like super confused. And it was also a period of time, of course, like where I'm transitioning into being a young adult in that that direction. No one can decide that for me necessarily. And so I had to, like, really get the Lord had to break my will down in some ways and kind of really, really start over. And so when I was 17, he literally brought me to my knees. And so I just like surrendering. I don't I don't know where what direction you want me to go in, because it was like I started in music very young, like ten. And then, of course, there's like lots of changes and transitions and everybody that I was like working with that entire season just like completely dried up. I was living in Nashville by that time, which I live here now. And it was like, I don't know, like I don't know what to do but. Yeah, God definitely just started to break down self-will within me and just kind of rewire how I thought and it was like. That like transition high school is kind of a darker period. But. God totally used that and brought in different people and started that were mentoring me as well, transitioning into being this young adult and then in twenty eighteen I ended up spending a couple of months in Germany and Berlin. That was kind of like a creative adventure and it was following finishing college. So it was another transitional moment where I was no longer in the environment of anybody that I knew at all. I didn't know anybody in Berlin. There was no particular invitation, but I felt like the Lord was like inviting this adventure to step out in faith. And so being in a completely different country and not knowing anybody was also another just like level of depth and relying on the Lord and getting to know him and getting to know the Holy Spirit and allowing him to just do some deep internal work as well. And then, I mean, even recently, there have been other ways that I like the back end of last year where, again, it wasn't just another moment of surrendering, how I think things need to look or my idea of like of anything. And so, yeah, there's definitely some pivotal moments along the way where God just like kind of prunes on the inside. And it's an opportunity to allow him to heal and just work in

those deep places.

[00:17:53.600] - Gaelika
So you said you were in Nashville pursuing music as basically a teenager and working on albums like trying to get a label deal, or did you have a deal like you were like hardcore pursuing it as a teen?

[00:18:08.720] - SVRCINA
Yes, I actually what sparked because I used to start it in country and would like travel fairs and festivals at like 10, 11 and 12. And at one of those festivals there was a publisher from Nashville that like I kept running into this lady at some of these events. And so I was 12 and she invited my family to come down. And she's like, you know, I see a lot of potential on you. And if songwriting is something that you'd be interested in, I'd love to invite you to come to Nashville and try like a writing trip. And so, again, it was something that was like that never crossed my mind ever, but it was like an open door of opportunity. And so my my family was supportive of that. And so I started taking writing trips back and forth. And so we moved to Nashville and I had signed a publishing deal with that particular gal. It was publishing and management. So it was really like an artist development at 13. And so that brought my family to Nashville and then. That was a short period of time and then there have been transitions since then, I was trying to get a deal in country and it's been very kind of basically the world, that story, things that I thought should be one way and they just like completely took a left turn and it's like totally cool. So I'm an independent artist now, but am working with, like, just the most amazing team and I'm so grateful.

[00:19:43.340] - Gaelika
So, yeah, I mean, it just seems like as a teenager to be flying back and forth from one state to another to be like writing and trying to find your identity and in country, basically in your teens, I would just think there would be all kinds of identity issues that you're struggling with and then ultimately having to find your identity in God.

[00:20:08.630] - SVRCINA
Yes, like ten thousand percent. And I think that is by the time I was 17 and it was like everything that I just kind of was like in do it mode and just in a lot of different environments, a lot of different houses working with tons of new people. And all throughout high school, I was just like working. And I like I totally enjoyed it. But I think all of the identity, those issues kind of came to a head when I graduated high school and I literally didn't know what to do because everything that I was like working with nothing, nothing was working. And it like it just that season completely dried up. And so it really forced me to kind of face myself in a way. And so the next couple of years, the Lord kept encouraging me with music in different ways and place. He actually gave me my manager in that pocket of time. And so she's been a very patient lady.

[00:21:15.740] - Gaelika
The manager you have now?

[00:21:17.300] - SVRCINA
Yes, very much so, yes. We've been working together for six and a half years, and I literally she is a true gift from the Lord and I've learned so much from her. But yeah, I mean, so he encouraged me with music and creativity to, like, not give up. But it also there was like. Definitely an extended patch of time that I just was like really struggling because I had invested so much of my identity and what I could do in my gifts rather than who God is and who I am in the Lord. And so that's definitely been an ongoing just kind of like deconstruction and in a good, healthy way and. Yeah, very much so.

[00:22:07.070] - Gaelika
And do you mind if I ask how old you are now?

[00:22:10.430] - SVRCINA
I am actually turning twenty five tomorrow, so any quarter of a century. So I'm twenty four and turning

[00:22:20.420] - Gaelika

Happy early birthday.

[00:22:22.010] - SVRCINA
Thank you. So happy to be alive. Very much so, yes.

[00:22:27.970] - SVRCINA It's really cool.

[00:22:29.900] - Gaelika And are you single. Married.

[00:22:36.230] - SVRCINA
I'm pretty single. That's definitely been a very interesting kind of since the area. But it's OK. The area is definitely but very sparse. It's kind of like kind of comical because again, like I'm a very like. I have an old soul and so, like even going to writing sessions at like 10, 11, 12 vibes, and then I would like write a song about my best friend. And then literally the next day, the next session, I wrote a song called On Bended Knee, which was a very dramatic love song as to like love.Why did you leave me? I was like, oh, lots of drama, lots of emotions happening at a very young age. So but yeah, I mean, it's been very kind and it's there's like a lot of mystery in that area. But it's OK. It's OK.

[00:23:35.920] - Gaelika
And it's mystery in the area for me too. So yeah.

[00:23:40.770] - SVRCINA
Yeah. So just dance with Jesus mystery I guess. Yeah, it's very much so.

[00:23:48.370] - Gaelika
And well it's funny because you were talking about the intense feelings of like love just being overdramatic as a kid because I was watching Billy Elish, Billy Elish, Elish Oh my gosh, I love this docu series. And she was talking about how much in love with Justin Bieber. She was as a kid, like in love, like there's never going to be a man who's ever going to make me feel the same way as Justin. Like, how can I find love after just thinking,

[00:24:22.420] - SVRCINA
oh, it's so interesting.But also that definitely resonates. I can totally get that.Yes. And I mean which. Yeah, I mean that's definitely something, whether you're a creative person or whatever of kind of the imagination is a beautiful thing because a lot of creativity can be out of the imagination. But definitely something that God has really dug deep and walked me through is kind of like how to manage my emotions. And also one area of surrender is honestly surrendering my imagination to him as well. And so, yeah, I totally get that with Billy.I wish it was affections because like. Yeah, I mean, out of that place of probably longing, I guess, in that affection for Justin Bieber.I can probably imagine she wrote some great songs out of that and just.Yeah. Being having to sit with all of those emotions. There's definitely creativity that can come out of that. But then I was like as a believer, somebody that loves Jesus to be able to like. Have all of these things that you're kind of simmering with and then give them back to the Lord, so though your imagination and your emotions or different thoughts that you have or not ruling you, those your mind is sanctified and your mind is like. The Lord has access to your mind and you can still use your imagination and emotions for. his glory and for for good, you know,

[00:26:11.440] - Gaelika
and how would you say that God's presence looks like in your life personally outside of the music? Just personally.

[00:26:18.410] - SVRCINA
Yeah, I love that. I literally. I love the Lord so much, and so it's been a really wonderful ongoing journey of like learning the person of the Holy Spirit and like allowing him to kind of be to lead in everything. And so I do like as far as just like personal time. I love to get up early in the morning and just spend

time with the Lord, like reading my Bible. And then if there's like a book in partnering, like some kind of like resource with the Bible and then praying and that kind of stuff and praying throughout the day, like we have access to pray, like all day long. So like in the car, I'm having a good time with you this and so. And then honestly, like just over the years, I would say some of my travels, like by myself were like nobody, because I've had the opportunity, like any time I've taken a writing trip for the most part, all of that has been completely like physically alone innocence. And so I've really gotten to know, like the Lord in those times and known him as a friend, as my lord and savior and all of that. And that relationship just continues to to grow and develop over time. And so. Yeah, I personally I know he speaks in dreams and through other people and through mentors, and so right now I'm been like, obviously everybody's kind of in the same spot physically, but spending the time, spending time with God in the morning and really prioritizing that as like I desperately need to get alone with him because the quality of my day is going to kind of be evidenced definitely by just being able to get on the same page and whatever comes throughout the day, just being able to walk through that with him.

[00:28:25.860] - Gaelika
Yeah. So you learn that an early morning practice from your mom and.

[00:28:31.530] - SVRCINA
Yeah. And a lot of ways. Yeah. My mom would get up really early and of course it looks like because our relationship with it, it's not like a routine and not a routine as far as like falling into something to her, it's like, OK, well if I don't get up in the morning at X next time and I don't spend an hour and my Bible are like that because that that gets weird or it can get weird, but to really prioritize, like being on with the Lord and you know, you could go for a walk in the morning and just like listen to like audio Bible or like there's different things that you can do. But to be intentional about spending time with Jesus.

[00:29:17.230] - Gaelika
OK, let's move on to a hot topic. What's trending right now on Twitter, OK? And one thing that should be trending is buy Art Pop on iTunes. It's a Lady Gaga hashtag. So apparently fans are her fans are petitioning for ACT two, the B sides of her 2013 album ARTPOP.

[00:29:43.350] - SVRCINA OK,

[00:29:44.010] - Gaelika
and Lady Gaga responded to it saying, I fell apart after I released this album. Thank you for celebrating something that once felt like destruction. We always believed it was ahead of its time. Years later, turns out, sometimes artists know and so do little monsters paws up. And she says the petition to buy Pop on iTunes for a Volume two has inspired such a tremendous warmth. In my heart, making this album was like heart surgery. I was desperate in pain and poured my heart into electronic music that slammed harder than any drug I can find on. So my question is, do you know and understand the pain of creating something and being painful and then also like maybe not being received the way that you want it to be received after pouring your heart into something?

[00:30:44.220] - SVRCINA
Yes, I maybe yeah. I don't know if, like, how specific I should be with what it was, but I do feel like there have definitely been a couple songs over time and I do release a lot of music, but I like pretty consistently. But there is one song that I released recently that I. It was interesting because at the time that I wrote it, it was relevant for one of my co writers and it was very personal, very painful experience. And then I understood where she was coming from. But like when it came time to actually releasing it or preparing for that, I had this, like, sense in my soul. I was like, I feel like I'm going to have to walk through something that is really. Difficult, if I like, in order for this to come from an authentic place, I have a suspicion that I'm going to have to walk through something. And so I totally like that. Very much proved to be the case like a super hard core. And so. Having the opportunity to walk through it was, of course, like personally very painful, but then it allowed me to sing it from a deeper place couple of years later and to have that, like, understanding. And then when we, like, really sat there like a couple of glitches with some of our marketing vibes and just some different, like,

quirky things that happened. And then it just like. We're super passionate about it, but then it wasn't. It's an amazing song, but it didn't like quite. Like Lache, as maybe some others have, and there's like you can't really. Really predict what is actually going to latch, because then other things that that are like totally great and personal, then those things have resonated more. This is kind of like, oh, I like hurts inside, because by the time I realized that, I felt a little bit like a wet noodle, I was like, oh, it's out like her a little bit. And then of course you like, hope it resonates with people and you just don't know. So I do totally understand.

[00:33:06.430] - Gaelika
Well, you never know. Maybe five, 10, 20 years from now it might resonate.

[00:33:12.640] - SVRCINA
Yes. That's that's also very valid. Completely. Yeah, absolutely.

[00:33:18.730] - Gaelika
And being that like it's her supporters who are, you know, pretty much demanding for iTunes to put this album out, how powerful can supporters be to your career?

[00:33:33.100]
Yeah, that's pretty crazy. And I do like sometimes I think about that or just like what we're doing is the art is very personal, but it is really about people and that kind of relationship between supporters of people that love your music and then like what you're giving to them. And they totally give back in really amazing ways. So that relationship is very, very crucial and powerful and just kind of a reminder of. Just even being very attentive or like serving your your fan base, your supporters as well.

[00:34:18.040] - Gaelika
All right, so let's get into your music and you said you've been doing this since you were a wee little babe.

[00:34:29.260] - SVRCINA
Yes, very much so. It's very funny. I have a lot of songs and some of them. Well well, let's see the whole let's see the streaming platforms and that's OK.

[00:34:42.610] - Gaelika
I mean, that's just how it goes. But you also have a lot of features that you've been a part of. The feature that grabbed my attention was the most recent one with Hulvey and Grammy Award winning hip hop artist Lecrae on Hulvey's Song "Reasons"

[00:35:06.910] - SVRCINA
so crazy my Holy Spirit is like kind of still Toast this year has been really wonderful and I'm so thankful. It was really wonderful to like. Because I feel like this was this collaboration specifically was a new level of being able to participate in somebody else's artistry, and then of course, because Hulvey just released his album on this past Friday. And like you can tell, it's very, very personal. So to be able to collaborate and participate in that artistic vision in his heart and and to also share with Lecrae as well as like super humbling and also exciting. So I literally love the song. And we started. I wrote the book with two other gentlemen in Nashville, so it's definitely been on a journey and that was in twenty eighteen and then it's kind of been put together piece by piece over time and then listening to that collaboration. Now, it's kind of like the duration of time that has passed, like all of the lyrics and the messaging that's in it. It wouldn't be what it is without the amount of time that's passed. So to see it kind of come together has been really awesome. And I, I have so much respect for the Reach team and for Lecrae and Hulvey me and everyone that is a part a part of the team. So super thankful. Yeah.

[00:36:39.520] - Gaelika
Yeah. So I interviewed Hulvey his actual interview testimony is available now, but he was telling me that he received the hook with, you know, your vocals and the hook already there and and then that, you know, gave him the idea to write the song. So it's just it's interesting, like you said, how things

come together and sometimes you need that time, like looks like this might be the time now for Lady Gaga album that you wrote in 2013 to like Pop and Resonate. And like you said, you wrote the lyrics for reasons are the hook for reasons in twenty eighteen.And then here it is, twenty twenty one being released.

[00:37:26.860] - SVRCINA
Yeah that's pretty wild. And it's like it's cool too because like. Of course, when I was writing the hook, like I started preparing for the writing session with the other two guys just in my apartment and sat down at the piano and kind of had a concept based on some things that I was going through personally and then, of course, gave it to gave it to the guys. And then as time went, like it got dropped in his lap and then it meant something completely different for him. So and then with Lecrae, he's got a completely different perspective, but they all thread together into a universal message. So it's everyone's personal testimony, honestly, in a sense that's threaded together. And then hopefully has personal meaning for whoever would be on the receiving end or listening to it, so it's really cool and I do believe. It's something that over time to God has helped me to just kind of release the timing or I have an expectation of when because I could be super passionate about something, but the actual timing of when it is released into the atmosphere, God already knows what is going to be happening in culture five years from now. He knows what's going to be happening tomorrow. So to be able to be a participant with the Lord in that way and to also surrender even our own creativity on with his timeline. And I do really believe that message with with the intellect is really like for for where we're at right now.

[00:39:08.730] - Gaelika
Yeah, well, I mean, I think that's important that you were saying how you kind of need to surrender like the time to God, because I can imagine as a songwriter or a singer, you put together the song, you pour everything into it, and then it just kind of sits like you have no idea, like when it's going to really be given the life that it may or may not deserve. Yeah. So I would just think it would be really challenging, especially if you don't know Jesus to have to deal with that time after time every single time you create something.

[00:39:46.920] - SVRCINA
Yeah, very much so. And I think yeah. I mean I guess in a way. Just when you're trying, especially if you're trying in your own strength to make things happen, there's definitely something to be said for working super hard and. But then again, leaving the timing up to the words of your like trying super hard in your own strength and then something doesn't work. I think the odds of feeling the weight of disappointment is like greatly increased to as we can rest in that God seriously has our best interests at heart. And, you know, Lord and how he takes you on the journey like it's it's OK. And then if something doesn't work, it could be for another time. And maybe it's just maybe that's just something that is like not and then like being able to just kind of. Yeah. Give that back to God and he may come up with something like there may be something completely different that's even better than what you thought should have been the thing or that worked that clean.

[00:41:03.950] - Gaelika
And you also got to make shoot the music video with Lecrae and Hulvey as well.

[00:41:08.810] - SVRCINA
Yes, that was wonderful. I felt like I felt like I just was observing everything. Pretty quiet lady of that video shoot. But everyone was like so professional and so kind. I was like, this is awesome. I'm so grateful. And I like at the end of last year, like, I did kind of go through something that was really like personally very difficult. And so I actually I felt very fragile at that video shoot. And to be able to communicate that song and then just be in the company of amazing people, I was just really grateful because that was in Atlanta. So my mom, my mom and I actually drove down from Nashville to Atlanta to be a part of that.

[00:41:58.030] - Gaelika
and internationally, you have a song with renowned deejay Robin Schulz, but it was

[00:42:06.770] - SVRCINA
yes, I'm so excited about that one. Do that like again, that's another testament because that song is like I wrote in twenty seventeen. So that one was really simmering for a long time and actually had a couple different versions. There were different like artists that was going to cut it and it was literally like one of my favorite songs and I wrote it in London with a couple other people on a writing trip. And the manager for Robin Schulz was like a huge cheerleader and advocate for it. So between our our team, my manager, when the resonate music and then with his manager, like the Robin's manager, was like, we're not going to let this one go. So it's like the timeline, again, is like kind of timeline can't really guarantee, but it will definitely happen at some point. So I, I think just over over time, my spirit has like very connected to the Germans. So I'm like, oh, I'm so excited to be able to be on that project too. So yeah,

[00:43:15.590] - Gaelika
that's awesome. And you've also have had placements on TV shows and networks like ABC, HBO said Station 19 and Containment and sounds like that was maybe like the larger of the placements with your song "Meet Me on the Battlefield" and then having over 11 million views on YouTube.

[00:43:39.200] - SVRCINA
Yeah, that was crazy. I feel like there's several common threads that the Lord is like kind of threading through my life. And I mean that song and that placement is another example of that, because I think licensing and licensing was also something that never crossed my mind. And I wrote Meet Me on the Battlefield when I was 17 and then kind of in that period, 17, 18 is when that placement had gone through and that was in show placement. And I could not have anticipated at all how that whole thing transpired. And then there was another like YouTube channel that reached out to me and our team. That was all Natcore. So it's kind of like in this anime vibe and it's like a very it's a whole different culture. But they take songs and then pick up the audio. So then it sounds like kind of like Chipmunk Vibe, but they're graphics. It's very interesting. I like kind of don't know a ton about that world, but the graphics, they are very intentional and kind of following a particular storyline.So following that placement, this other YouTube channel reached out and said, like, hey, we'd love to collaborate with you with this song. And then they release Battlefield's Natcore version. And then that one that one is like I think it's like 40 million something. Oh, wow, that one. Yeah. So that was like kind of crazy, but also against like I that was never in my brain, like, ever. So but yeah, the Containment placement was really huge. And I think even after the show ended, one of the networks like Netflix or something had uploaded Containment to to the to the network. So it kind of had a fresh life. Breathe, breathe into it. OK.

[00:45:41.330] - Gaelika
And you also recently celebrated having over ten thousand followers on Instagram.

[00:45:47.840] - SVRCINA
Yes. Yes. We love to celebrate. There's like definitely this year has had some really wonderful milestones and I love people. And so it was super, super cool to be able to celebrate that as well. Sure.

[00:46:06.830] - Gaelika
OK, so you're also right now, I don't know if you're still currently are you already wrapped working on your latest project?

[00:46:15.260] - SVRCINA
It is well underway. All of the songs are picked out and we've released one song so far called "Upside of Down." And so we have a couple of things going on as well. Yeah, yeah, yes. It's really beautiful. With Brehmer, Phish directed the video. And so this project has been super fun. And again, like all of my creativity, the older I get and as with each year, I feel like God has been very creative with how he's like led the creative process for me. So I'll have been working on one project and then he'll also, like already be kind of giving glimmers of inspiration for, OK, where do we go next? Which I think has been pretty important because I'm working with an independent team. So having a creative vision to be able to like, say this is kind of where we're going next has been pretty important for our team to like all

work together. So I'm really excited about this one. And I was literally in the process of kind of releasing an album. When God started planting seeds for this one was like it was very strange to have one foot in one area and then another foot in another. So but the concept and how the creativity has come together has been super cool. So I can't wait to share.

[00:47:47.370] - Gaelika Do you have a title yet?

[00:47:49.740] - SVRCINA
I do. I totally do. Which I. Yes, I guess I could just say it and I'll have to come up with some things, so yeah, be creative. But the project is called Orchard's and so some of the themes are like going back to your roots. And so that's been kind of a really interesting journey of like going back to cultural roots a little bit and kind of infusing because my heritage is Czech, German, like Bulgaria in Austria, in that Eastern Europe, Europe, Rome. And so it's been a cool opportunity to kind of celebrate the Eastern European flavors in some of the visual esthetics and infusing anywhere possible, even sonically maybe. And and then also kind of examining. Part of going back to your roots is like examining like looking at family and saying what are some aspects of my heritage or my culture or my family that are totally worth celebrating and then maybe what are some other things or like habits or whatever in my heritage or family that are not so healthy and that I don't necessarily want to carry on into the next generation. And so that has been an interesting journey on a personal front. And then how that's also spilled over into the creativity and then ultimately to have this like image of fruitfulness and being a fruit bearing person with with our lives. So kind of that process of. In order to grow an orchard, you've got to start with the roots and like everything that it takes to kind of develop that. So it's been really cool visually to experiment and explore and then kind of with the songs themselves, explore all of these different ideas.

[00:49:57.170] - Gaelika
So when do you plan on releasing it.

[00:50:01.620] - SVRCINA
It will be released in October. So with a couple singles sprinkled in between, so I think we have. Four other singles that and then there's like nine songs total on the project, plus a bonus song. So, yes, we've got nine and I was threading and like like loose inspiration also with that visual of orchards and fruit, also the fruits of the spirit and kind of exploring like what if we kind of attached a virtue to each one of the songs? The bonus track obviously has a little bit of a miscellaneous vibe because there's nine fruits of the spirit. So we ran out of fruit. So I don't know what we're going to do about the song, but that's been super cool to explore and then talk with visual artists as well with with these ideas as well.

[00:51:00.580] - Gaelika
OK, well, I've heard the I don't know if it's a full project, but I've heard the demos because I think it wasn't like it's not finished yet. So I've heard the demos and typically I like to go over like four songs, but the album's not going to be out yet. By the time I release this, we can just do the "upside of down" since that ones we're currently out, OK?

[00:51:30.040] - SVRCINA
Yeah, absolutely. And if it makes sense to circle back to when it's out.

[00:51:38.050] - Gaelika
Yeah, yeah. For sure. So if you don't mind if there is like a verse that you want to either mind singing or reciting and then just kind of give me the heart behind it.

[00:51:49.460] - SVRCINA
Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. It's hard enough to find a way, but it's harder when the lights go out also. But orchestras can be quiet when John makes all the. Would be running away. I'm not afraid, Tony. What shows go get through the night? Oh. Beautiful. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, so this was the song is definitely about. Finding yourself in a moment in your life where there's like everything is kind of

disorienting or you're in a really dark place and. Everything that like your perception of reality, everything gets completely flipped on on its head, and sometimes it's really difficult to see the positives when you're literally in the thick of that moment and to see the hope through it and to to honestly, like, allow yourself to feel your pain and acknowledge that you are in pain. So this song is kind of like it's interesting because it's still hopeful, but it's left in a place where you're still kind of questioning. There's not really a resolve in the song itself, even though there will be eventually. But it's just kind of marking that moment in your life when you literally feel like your whole world is like crumbling or you don't understand why you might be going through what you're going through. And so it's like asking what's where's the upside of down or is that positivity of. Or where's the hope that I can find through through this difficult situation?

[00:53:54.340] - Gaelika
OK. OK. And if you happen to have, like, another single you're going to be releasing within, like the next four to five weeks, are you doing that or is it going to be later?

[00:54:06.340] - SVRCINA
It's going to be like the next artist single is in June. Now, on Friday, I'm really releasing with a friend or a remix kind of edit of speaking of Billy Eilish, I did a cover of "Ocean Eyes". And so we're releasing that. But the next single is is released on June 4th.

[00:54:30.490] - Gaelika
OK. All right. So we'll just leave it on that then and want to break your songs before they come out.

[00:54:39.880] - SVRCINA
Drop some Easter egg, some samples.

[00:54:44.860] - Gaelika
But how would you say God's presence looks like in your life musically?

[00:54:51.180] - SVRCINA
Yes, I think this is definitely an area that I get super amped about because I do feel like creativity has been a really wonderful adventure with the Lord and I definitely will. Pray before sessions, and I actually was listening to a podcast recently that was talking about being bringing the same kind of intentionality and prayer with creativity and with art as we are with other things in our lives, because I don't know sometimes. You're like, do your routine of like your craft, and it's fine, but to really come to the table and just ask the Lord for his inspiration and his heart and so I would I definitely. He's stretched me creatively, like one example kind of recently is I was on my way to a writing session and ultimately it's really just like listening to Holy Spirit, asking the Lord for help, asking for his heart and what he wants to say. And he can use all kinds of different things. But I had a song called Flowers that I released last year, and I was on my way to the writing session. And during that week it was in Los Angeles and I like randomly felt like the Lord had me. I met with two different ladies during throughout the week and I felt like he was like asking me to buy them flowers. And so I went to the flower shop and I'm like, OK, this is like I don't know, I'm totally I haven't seen these ladies in, like, forever, but yes. Love and flowers. Well, after the second coffee meeting that same day, I had my last, like, writing session for the week. And so I was like driving in the car and it was like really not a nice part of L.A. But I kept seeing these, like, flower shop signs. I was like, this is very interesting. Like, why are these why is this like sticking out so much? And then literally as I was getting closer to my session, I felt like Lord was like, so today you're going to write a song called Flowers. So the opportunity comes to suggest the title. That's what I want you to say. And at the time, like, I was pretty self-conscious about throwing out title ideas and like, very melodically inspired. So I was like, oh, that sounds like that's I was a little weird. I don't know if I want to do that. Well, I got in the writing session and I had never written with these people before. And so we were just like talking, getting to know each other. And then one of my co writers was like kind of transitioning to, like talking what we were going to write about. And he goes, So I have been doing this like writing exercise at these different camps where we'll all put, like, different random words in like a cup or something. And we pull out a word and we have to write to a specific title like in two hours. So he's like, so do you happen to have any titles today that you'd like to write? I was like, Oh my Lord, the Lord has rolled out the red carpet

for me to obey him. And so yeah. So I blurted it out like, yeah, let's write a song called Flowers. And so that's really what we ended up writing. So it was very interesting, like just kind of sunflower seed that I felt like the Holy Spirit planted. And it was a little bit of risk on my end because it was a way of writing that I wasn't really used to. Yeah, but the the fruits of that, just taking that, like, small risk ended up being like a really wonderful song. And I'm really sort of single and it was like really cool. And so there's like the more that I lean into that and to lean into the voice of the Holy Spirit, the there's like different ways that speak creatively in my creative process as well. And then, of course, I have amazing collaborators, too. So I get to bring that partnership of what God is saying, but then also be super open for what my characters are interested in or who I'm working with.

[00:59:08.900] - Gaelika
No, I mean, now that you talked about flowers so much, I mean, if you don't mind, can we get a little piece of "flowers"?

[00:59:16.700] - SVRCINA
Oh, yeah, totally. Absolutely, yeah. Sitting alone on my own insecurities how to grow up no matter what and what security I see the good. I see that I gravitate to the sun. And it's sad because it's all I've ever had in life can always be romantic and the worst of circumstances. I believe in second chances and I always do the right thing. Cut the funds before they're going. But I'm trying. I'm trying. I'm trying.

[00:59:59.130] - Gaelika
Awesome. Thank you. Appreciate it. I love your voice, so

[01:00:06.780] - SVRCINA thank you so much. Thank you.

[01:00:09.930] - Gaelika
And now that you've completed this interview, or is there an artist whose testimony you would love for me to to share? Who would you like to see interview form?

[01:00:22.980] - SVRCINA
Oh, my goodness. That's an amazing question. Um, this is like kind of random, but I do really respect him a lot. His name is John Michael Howell, and he is very cool. He's got like long black hair.

[01:00:45.390]
I have had the opportunity to write with him on time and met at a conference a couple of years ago. He releases his own music. He's also been on tick tock. And he'll do these like mainstream like pop songs or like top 40 songs and then kind of make a Jesus version, like what it would be like if Jesus was like singing this to you or something like that. And so he kind of like tweaks the lyrics to kind of match the relationship with the Lord. So it's very clever, very cool. But he's like just a super passionate person. And I really I love passionate people in general. And so he would be a super cool person to kind of to hear his story as well. Cool.

[01:01:35.040] - Gaelika
Well, I definitely appreciate you taking the time to talk with me.