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Swipe Right on "Rotation": Five Fast Facts with Stacy Citron on How She Spun Dating Tales into a Dance Anthem

Stacy Citron is a rising pop sensation known for her dynamic vocal range and knack for delivering unforgettable hooks. Born in Seattle and raised in Los Angeles, she brings a distinct blend of coastal influences to her music, collaborating with top-tier talent from Nashville to New York. Her songs combine heartfelt storytelling with addictive melodies, earning her comparisons to Renée Rapp, FLETCHER, Holly Humberstone, and Miley Cyrus, while maintaining a sound that is unmistakably her own. Whether she's sharing personal truths or creating music that resonates universally, Stacy embraces every opportunity to connect through her art. This week, we sat down with Stacy to hear about her new song, "Rotation."


stacy citron


1. SJ: You collaborate with writers and producers from Nashville to New York to Los Angeles. Why do you find it important to collaborate with such a wide variety of talent? How do you think it affects your sound?

SC: I think it’s the diversity of styles and influences that pushes me to think outside my usual box when it comes to songwriting. It helps me keep my music fresh and allows me to continuously evolve as an artist. I might have an idea for a song in one city, and then work with writers and producers from another city, and it gives it a whole new take. 

The only rule I have when it comes to songwriting is that everyone in the studio does what’s best for the song. We all check our egos at the door and embrace the fun and flexible thinking of the process. 

You need a wide variety of elements sometimes to make a song special. I think the reason why it’s so important to collaborate, is because it’s like mixing different genres of music into one playlist- I’m obviously going to have my favorite producers and writers that I work with, but it’s the surprise influences along the way where the real magic happens.

 

2. SJ: You’ve said, "Music is my favorite way to share with the world, and I have plenty of tea to spill!" What do you mean by that statement, and what tea are you spilling?

SC: I think the real question is what tea am I NOT spilling? Just kidding. 

I think it’s just my cheeky way of saying that I believe in being authentic with each song that I release. I have to believe what I’m singing. It can’t just be a pretty song or a catchy song that’s got a good hook. There has to be a story or a theme that I’m deeply connected to.

 Whether it’s about the loss of my dad and the incredible relationship we had as father and daughter with my song "Forget Me Not," or having fun with my dating life with my new song "Rotation." I believe as long as you have heart, humor, and humility, the message will come across. 

I aim to write songs that connect to the human experience. That speaks to the things that we go through on a day-to-day basis. If you look at my body of work, it’s pretty unique in my opinion. Simply because I release music based on what’s going on in my life at the time, and not what I think would be more commercially popular.


3. SJ: You just released your single "Rotation," earlier this month. What story, or stories, inspired this song?

SC: This is a song I’ve been really excited about for a while now! I wrote it last summer while I was experiencing what I lovingly like to call my "rumspringa phase"- I was on the apps and having a ball. 

So, I would say that this song is really inspired by my dating life during that time. It’s connected to that fun and sexy flirtatious power that I was experiencing. 

Dating, especially in Los Angeles, can be insane and incredibly difficult at the best of times. So, I wanted to write a song that celebrated it and had fun with it, instead of trashing the apps like I normally would (and don’t worry- I have a song about the trashy aspects coming soon)!





4. SJ: What did your songwriting process look like for this song? Who did you work with?

SC: So I walked into the studio with my producer, Colby Lapolla, and our co-writers Marcel Berger and Katherine Evans, and after we started chatting and catching up, they asked me what I wanted to work on.

I had just had a wild first date, OK I’m gonna be really honest here... I had a couple of weeks worth of very wild first dates…and I wanted to sing about it. I blatantly asked,  "Can we write a song about my "ho-tation"?" We all immediately started laughing and then Colby said, "We can’t call it that but we can definitely write that." BOOM! Rotation was born. 

I kept saying throughout that whole session that I wanted this to be an anthem. I wanted it to have the vibe of, "you are the party and they are lucky to be invited." I had always wanted to do a dance track and this just felt like the perfect opportunity to write one.

When I sang the chorus for the work tape, I knew we had something really special. It has been stuck in my head since then and now it’s stuck in the world. YOU’RE WELCOME. 


5. SJ: What did your recording process look like? Does it remain the same for each song, or does it change?

SC: The recording process differs depending on what the project is. For this track, Marcel was only in town for that week, so we wrote everything except the bridge during that one session and we got the first verse, pre-chorus, and chorus recorded for the work tape.

A few months later, Colby and I went back into the studio after finishing writing the bridge with Katherine to record the main vocal.

Sometimes, if we have a quick turnaround on the song, it can happen in a couple of days or weeks. Usually when I write a song, especially if it’s with Colby, we try to get a vocal work tape down so that she can start building and producing all of the other elements that are needed for the track. Then we can go in later and cut the final vocal.

To be honest, that’s what I really like about working with a producer like Colby. Because she’s so dedicated to what’s best for the song and refuses to sacrifice any of the artistic elements for the sake of time. She always does what’s best for the track and I think that’s what makes her such a great producer, because she can hear all of the elements of a song that I can’t,  and she knows how to make it really shine.


SJ: What is one song you wish Stacy Citron wrote?

SC: I refuse to give you one (sorry), but I can give you my current top three!

"Irish Goodbye" by Kacey Musgraves

"Slim Pickins" by Sabrina Carpenter 

"3 Minutes" by JP Sax


SJ: What’s next for Stacy Citron?

SC: I’m heading back in the studio over the next few weeks to record my next single that’s coming out early next year. 

I’m on deck for some different film and TV spots that are shooting before the end of the year and hopefully in between all of that, I will find a time to take a break! 

In the meantime, I’m just very happy to be so busy and for my music to be connecting with people the way that it has been, it’s been a long time coming.


SJ: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us!

SC: Thank you so much for having me and thank you so much for sharing your love for "Rotation"! 

"Rotation" Stacy Citron album art

 

Listen to "Rotation" below!




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