Clarissa Brooks spoke with Hayley Williams for OkayPlayer about Paramore’s Black fanbase, the politics and her debut solo album.
I think making this record has opened my eyes to just how impactful Black artists have been to me throughout my entire career, she said. The first two references I gave to Taylor and to Joey while we were writing was Solange and Sade, she added talking about the influences on Petals for Armor.
I do eat mostly plant-based and I’m constantly looking for things I love. I grew up eating a lot of Cajun food in Mississippi from recipes that my Louisiana family would pass down to my mom, said Hayley discussing food. Every morning when I would wake up I had grits with a slice of crack cheese and a pat of butter and salt pepper. Everyday. And when people tell me that they eat grits with sugar, I don’t know what to do with that.
Hayley’s also opened up about her attitude towards politics. I’m kind of trying to find a more boots-on-the-ground approach. What are the safe ways I can be present even if I can’t be physically with my community? Even if it’s protesting or marching or connecting with local collectives like DRKMTR, a group of young people trying to feed the community, trying to create community classrooms, trying to work with COVID-19 restrictions. It’s been amazing to see them pivot from shows to this moment. Later, answering another question she added: I want Black people enjoying our music. Because what I remember about being a kid growing up in Mississippi is dancing with my friend Zakara to Outkast, singing along to D’Angelo with Sheena, and playing basketball with Rodney, who I just found out is an NBA fucking player now.
Click HERE to read the interview.
