Acclaimed Singer-songwriter and author Demi Michelle recently shared the country-focused EP ‘Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever’!
The project is inspired by Demi’s desire to tell her own tragic fairy tale and blends sassy contemporary country with mid-tempo pop country. Across five songs, Demi moves from independence and self-worth to hope and heartbreak.
Demi has kindly taken the time to chat with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution regarding the journey behind this latest EP and you can find the full interview below.
Hey Demi, thank you so much for this interview. Can you start by introducing yourself to readers who might be unfamiliar with your music?
Demi: Of course. My name is Demi Michelle, and I’m an award-winning songwriter, recording artist, and classical pianist from Pittsburgh. I’ve released music since 2019, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. Along with my music journey, I’m also involved in the publishing industry, mostly as a young adult thriller author represented by a literary agent and a freelance editor.
How would you currently describe your musical style?
Demi: I’m a multi-genre songwriter who focuses on authentic storytelling. Whether I’m writing a pop or country song, or pulling other genre flavors into my music, honest lyrics are at the heart of my discography.
You recently released your brand new EP “Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever”. How did the idea for this EP come together?
Demi: One day, I was thinking about how fairy tales often make people think of happily ever afters, but not every love story ends happily. Whether listeners think of the princess in the story as me or a fictional character, she’s a protagonist who goes from embracing independence to hoping for love, only to end up with a broken heart. Even though this fairy tale doesn’t have a happy ending, some songs have themes of independence, self-worth, and hope, so the project’s uplifting moments balance out the sad ones.
What are some of your favourite songs from the EP?
Demi: My favorite song is definitely “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine.” It’s a piano ballad that explores love at first sight through the metaphor of an eclipse. This is the most hopeful song on the EP, and it’s in my top favorite songs I’ve ever written. The lyrics are full of imagery, and since the song is only piano and my voice, I layered lots of harmonies and background vocals. I composed and recorded the piano accompaniment as well, which was special because I’m a classical pianist.
Even though “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine” is my favorite, I love all the songs on the EP because they’re so different. “You Can Call Me Cinderella Now” is a sassy contemporary country song, “Invisible Tiara” is a self-empowering waltz, “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine” is a hopeful piano ballad, “Paradise” is a pop-country song with summer vibes, and “Happy Never After” wraps up the story with a country heartbreak song. This variety keeps the music fresh while the lyrics tie the fairy tale together.
What does this EP personally mean to you?
Demi: Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever reminds me that the journey to hopefully falling in love isn’t easy, but that’s okay. Going back to “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine,” I think there’s something deeply beautiful in hoping to one day find the one, despite knowing that your heart might get broken. If I don’t take risks and put my heart out there, I’ll never know what could be written in the stars for me.
If listeners could take something from this EP, what would you like it to be?
Demi: I would love listeners to remember to always stay true to themselves. This message is clear in “Invisible Tiara.” Sometimes, we can want something, like love, so badly that there’s a temptation to change who we are to get it. I’ve always believed that no one should change for a relationship. If someone is truly the one for you, they’ll love you for who you are. The princess in the EP didn’t get her happy ending, but she always stayed authentically herself, and I think that’s the most important takeaway.
Are there any songs that did not make the EP that we could see released at a later date?
Demi: Not for this project. I specifically wrote “You Can Call Me Cinderella Now,” “Invisible Tiara,” and “If Your Heart Eclipses Mine” for the EP. “Paradise” and “Happy Never After” are songs I wrote several years ago that happened to wrap up the fairy tale perfectly. At one point, I considered putting “Fantasy” on the project, since it has a fairy-tale theme, but I decided not to because I released that song as a single a few years ago and wanted the EP to only have newly released songs.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching your musical and writing career grow over the last few years, and I was wondering how you feel your work and creativity have evolved from your very first single?
Demi: Oh, gosh. Drastically. I feel like I’m a totally different songwriter now. Over time, I’ve gained confidence, developed my craft, and found my voice. Back then, I was trying to figure out who I was as a songwriter and artist, but now, I’m fully embracing honesty in my music. Before, I masked the truth in my lyrics a little, but I’m not doing that anymore. I’ve also grown as a vocalist and have a much better understanding of music production, too. I’m extremely hands-on in the studio, and now that I have such clear visions for my songs, each one comes to life exactly how I want. So, from 2019 to now, I’ve experienced quite an evolution.
Do you have any further releases planned that you can currently tell us about?
Demi: Yes! In a few months, I’m hoping to release a pop song called “Fall from Grace,” which will mark the start of my next musical chapter. I’m absolutely obsessed with this song and can’t wait to share it with the world. After that, I’ll release my next original Christmas song called “My Own Little Snow Globe.” I still have to record it, but I’m hoping to do that soon.
What advice would you offer to someone who was looking to pursue a career within the music industry?
Demi: Always be authentic. This is my number-one piece of advice.
Finally, is there a message that you would like to share with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?
Demi: Jess, thank you so much for interviewing me again. You’re the best! To the readers, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read about my new EP and overall songwriting journey. I hope you’ll give Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever a listen!
You can check out ‘Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever’ on Spotify below or via further platforms here.
Demi Michelle: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.
Fierce & Fabulous Revolution 