Q&A: BURRY ON IDENTITY, SONGWRITING, AND THE GLOW THAT GUIDED THEM HOME
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANY MIRELES ☆
“I HOPE LISTENERS FEEL A SENSE OF SELF-ACCEPTANCE AND A CELEBRATION OF WHO THEY ARE.” — For Burry, music isn’t just an expression; it’s a revelation. Their latest single, “TV GLOW, ” released on March 28, is a stunning exploration of queer awakening and the quiet courage of self-acceptance. Written during their honeymoon, the track reflects on what could’ve been left unsaid and the freedom found in finally saying it out loud.
The Luna Collective had the chance to talk to Burry about early musical memories, this brand-new single, and what it means to fully embrace your glow.
LUNA: What was your earliest memory of connecting with music? Did you always know you wanted to pursue it?
BURRY: I’ve always been so keen on music! In elementary school, I was in the choir and took piano lessons. In Junior high and through high school, I joined the concert band and jazz band, playing the clarinet. When I was little, I would make up silly little songs on the piano and yell to my grandmother in the other room, “HOW’S THAT?” which I’m sure she loved. I was also in musical theatre, though I wasn’t often confident enough to audition. I mostly stuck to the ensemble, backstage crew, or band, but I loved it so much! Since then, I’ve taught myself how to play guitar, and then songwriting started coming naturally.
LUNA: You grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which has such a unique, creative scene. How has growing up there influenced you as an artist?
BURRY: Growing up in Halifax, I was surrounded by a community that truly values creativity and the arts. There's a sense of togetherness here, which fosters an environment for artistic growth. Whether it’s the vibrant local music, visual arts, or performance scene, being here has shaped my approach to creativity. There’s an undeniable energy in Nova Scotia that pushes you to embrace your unique perspective and contribute to the growing artistic narrative.
LUNA: "TV GLOW" explores a pivotal moment in your identity—what was it like reliving that experience through songwriting?
BURRY: Writing “TV GLOW” was a deeply personal experience, especially because I wrote it on my honeymoon. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for meeting my wife, and as I reflected on that, my mind started to wander to my coming out. I began to think about what my life might have looked like if I had never come out, and the weight of that thought hit me. But then I realized I would have come out no matter what. Reliving that experience through songwriting allowed me to process those feelings of self-acceptance and the joy that came with embracing my true identity. It was a powerful realization, and it made me even more grateful to be where I am now.
LUNA: Can you walk us through the creative process? Was there a specific moment when everything just clicked?
BURRY: During our honeymoon on some little beach in Greece, my wife Sam was napping, and I was hiding under an umbrella reading. In that peaceful moment, I found myself reflecting on how grateful I am to have found her and also how much I’ve found myself along the way. The lyrics started to come to me, so I quickly jotted them down in my notebook (I always carry one with me for moments like that). When we got back home, I began experimenting with melodies. Eventually, I brought some rough ideas to my producer, Cass, and that’s when “TV GLOW” came to life.
LUNA: The title immediately made me think of the movie I Saw the TV Glow. Was that film an influence on this track in any way?
BURRY: I wish I could say the movie I Saw the TV Glow was an influence on the track, but I hadn’t seen it when I was writing the song, which is a crazy coincidence. I have since watched the movie, and it was wild to see how the two shared such similar themes. While I Saw the TV Glow explores gender identity, “TV GLOW” was more about my journey of sexual awakening. That said, I can see how someone experiencing a shift in gender identity might also connect with the song. It’s fascinating how both the song and the film can resonate with different aspects of self-discovery.
LUNA: What was the most unexpected part of the creative process? Did the song evolve in a way you didn’t expect?
BURRY: I didn’t anticipate the direction the song went when we started, but I’m so happy about where we ended up. This is an exciting new direction for me, working more in pop and alt-pop genres and creating more interesting elements and structures in my songs. The bridge and outro of this song were things I didn’t write until I was with my producer. I said I wanted this song to get big and in your face, so she wrote the instrumentation, and I wrote those lyrics to fit. It’s also definitely now one of our favourite songs to perform.
LUNA: How does "TV GLOW" compare to "Pillow Princess" in terms of themes and sound?
BURRY: “TV GLOW” and “Pillow Princess” are both part of my journey, but they explore different sides of my creative expression. “Pillow Princess” is one of the more exciting tracks on the upcoming LP that leans into pop, which was so fun to create. It has this infectious energy that was a lot of fun to explore. On the other hand, “TV GLOW” feels like it straddles the line between my older, darker sound and this more pop-leaning direction. While it has a pop sensibility, it still carries some of the emotional depth of my earlier work. The contrast between the two songs reflects where I am now, blending the rawness of my past with the excitement of new sounds and ideas.
LUNA: When people hear "TV GLOW,” what do you hope they feel or take away from it?
BURRY: When people hear “TV GLOW,” I hope they feel a sense of self-acceptance and celebration of who they are, no matter where they are in their journey. For me, writing the song was a reflection on my path of coming to terms with my identity, both in terms of my sexual awakening and the gratitude I feel for the people I’ve found along the way. The song carries themes of self-reflection and growth, and I hope it sparks a sense of empowerment and authenticity in those who hear it. Ultimately, “TV GLOW” is about finding light in yourself, and I’d love for others to take that away and feel inspired to embrace their glow.
LUNA: What’s your songwriting process like? Do you start with a melody, lyrics, or a concept first?
BURRY: For any given song, I will typically have an idea or a line or two that I want to work with. If I’m writing alone, I’ll typically write most of the lyrics first and then start playing around with melodies. If I’m writing with producers, often they will be laying down ideas instrumentally, and I’ll be writing the lyrics and trying to figure out melodies over the instrumentation. Other times, I’ll write with another musician, and we collaborate on the lyrics while figuring out music and melodies together. That’s my favourite thing, the process being different depending on who I’m working with. I think it brings a great variety to my sound.
LUNA: What’s next for you after "TV GLOW?” Can fans expect more new music soon?
BURRY: “TV GLOW” will have a GORGE music video directed by Annaka Gale, releasing early May. I love being able to take some crazy idea to a director, and they just run with it. Fans can also expect a lot more music this year, more singles, more music videos and more shows!
LUNA: Do you have any writing rituals? Do you have a favorite place, time of day, or routine that helps you get into the creative flow?
BURRY: Honestly, not really. I could be anywhere and think of one lyric (you should see my notes app or notebook). If I ever get stuck with lyrics or a track, I bring it to my producer or other pals, and they help me from there. If I could have one thing with me while I’m writing, it would probably be coffee.
LUNA: What’s next for you? Any touring plans or more music fans that you should look forward to?
BURRY: I’m incredibly excited and honored to share that I’ll be releasing my debut LP later this year (the exact release date and title will be announced soon). It’s been such a rewarding journey bringing this album to life with my friends, and I can’t wait for people to hear it. In addition to the album release, I’m in the process of planning an Eastern Canadian tour, which I’m looking forward to. I’ll also be playing at several amazing festivals this year. The next stops are Departure in Toronto and NXNE, also in Toronto. It’s going to be an exciting summer filled with new music, live performances, and connecting with fans. So, stay tuned; there’s a lot more coming, and I can’t wait to share it with you all!
