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In 2024, Michelle Zauner decided she needed a break and went to Korea.
She began grappling with her success.
At the time, she was readingFrankensteinand was struck by how deeply she resonated with the titular mad scientist.
(The LPs tongue in cheek title is from a John Cheever short story.)
Now, Zauner feels more grounded.
Marie Claire: Your new album comes after experiencing mainstream success and becoming a name in the publishing world.
After touringJubileefor three years, there were a lot of things that I wanted to return to.
One in particular was getting to play the guitar again.
Ive never really identified as a singer.
In some ways, it feels like this tone of music is more my natural state right now.
Why did the pendulum swing?
MZ:I was living in a paradox for the past three years.
I felt like I won the lottery twice over with my last two projects and got everything I wanted.
I recognized what a huge privilege and opportunity I had and suddenly I was very afraid of bungling it.
I had really terrible stage fright and a lot of health problems.
I was very work-obsessed and it was joyful but also a difficult time in my life.
In some ways, this sad pensiveness feels like my neutral state and what I wanted to sing about.
I would feel so untethered if I didnt have a project or some sense of purpose in this life.
MC: Was the album always going to focus on these melancholic feelings?
MZ:Originally, I wanted to make a creepy album.
MC: Youve written a lot about grief and sadness throughout your career.
How do you feel about mining sadness for your art nowadays?
MZ:I was really lucky I had it as this anchor to cling to after my mom died.
I dont know if I would feel a purpose in this world without having that for myself.
And people find themselves in that space because often the personal is quite universal.
Zauner performing with Japanese Breakfast at Ohana Festival in Dana Point, California in September 2023.
I also read that artists interpreted it as the feeling right before inspiration strikes.
Ive always identified with that.
My advice would be to create out of that.
MZ:Yes and no.
That internal barometer is always the same.
I would never do that with music.
With writing prose or in a screenplay, its more surgical.
Im literally looking, like,How does Richard Ford write about the weather?
How does Marilynne Robinson write about her sister taking something from her that she doesnt want her to take?
How does Joan Didion write about grief?
MZ:There are definitely things that I save for myself.
It might not seem like it, but I do.
My husband gave me really great advice when I was writingCrying in H Mart.
MC: Is there a craft youve yet to master and want to try?
Theres no dialogue, obviously, in music videos.
MC: Youre a big sci-fi fan.
Would you ever write and direct a sci-fi project?
MZ:Yes, actually.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
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