Q&A: Miya Folick Embraces Desire, Identity and Raw Emotion on ‘Erotica Veronica’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SHEVON GREENE ☆
Photography Credit: Jonny Marlow
MIYA FOLICK HAS NEVER BEEN ONE TO SHY AWAY FROM VULNERABILITY — and the intensity of her raw emotions. Known for her soaring vocals and fearless songwriting, Folick has carved out a distinct space in the indie rock scene, blending introspection and unfiltered intensity to resonate deeply with her listeners. With previous albums Premonitions and Roach exploring themes of self-discovery and growth, Folick’s latest record, Erotica Veronica, marks a new era focused on sensuality, self-reclamation, and the complexities of desire.
In an exclusive conversation with The Luna Collective, Folick reflects on the inspiration behind Erotica Veronica, a record that unpacks the tension between personal autonomy and societal expectations. She discusses the impact of queer identity within a heteronormative framework, the importance of unfiltered emotional expression, and the ways in which channeling deep personal experiences led to some of her most vulnerable songwriting to date. Erotica Veronica is both cathartic and electric, which is a testament to Folick’s continuously evolving artistry.
Read the interview with The Luna Collective below.
Photography Credit: Jonny Marlow
LUNA: Erotica Veronica has been described as a "psychosexual, psycho-sensual masterstroke." What initially sparked the concept for the album, and how did you arrive at its bold thematic focus?
FOLICK: In recent years, there's been an upsurge of art exploring similar themes. That’s not coincidental; we, as a society, are learning more about sexuality, which allows us to reflect on our own experiences. I didn't come up with these themes in a vacuum. I've learned from authors and artists exploring similar ideas, which has influenced my music and personal experiences.
There’s a sexual awakening in this record because that’s something I’ve been experiencing. But I think that awakening has been shaped by seeing it reflected in other people's art. Representation matters; these stories are being told more, and it’s not just a trend. It’s a real shift in understanding.
LUNA: Absolutely. You can see that shift happening, and it's great to hear artists inspiring each other in that process. Your lead single, “Erotica,” grapples with the complexities of desire and fantasy, especially in a culture that can feel puritanical about sexuality. How did you channel those ideas into the song’s dreamy yet vulnerable atmosphere?
FOLICK: It’s funny because the song is actually pretty vanilla in its sexuality. It’s not crude or overly explicit; it’s graphic in a way that isn’t smut. When I talk about puritanical attitudes, I mean more about the way we police our own thoughts. People get shamed for even thinking about desire, like being attracted to someone outside their relationship. That thought alone is often seen as betrayal.
I'm not advocating for any specific type of relationship, but I think it's important to have autonomy over our minds. Fantasy isn't inherently bad; it’s what you do with it that matters. If we repress every thought, we end up in a trap that isn’t healthy. I think it’s good to be honest with ourselves, even if that honesty is just internal.
LUNA: It can be dangerous to get caught up in guilt over thoughts when, in reality, acknowledging them is important. It’s been noted that the album explores being queer within a heteronormative context. How has that perspective influenced the storytelling and emotional tension throughout Erotica Veronica?
FOLICK: I wrote this album while in a relationship with a cis man as a queer woman. I couldn’t figure out how to feel like myself in that relationship. There was love and mutual respect, but I felt like a part of myself was dying. I know that sounds dramatic, but that’s how it felt.
That’s the tension of the record; wanting to honor my identity while also caring about someone deeply. I see people talking about this online, and I know I’m not alone in that struggle. Everyone’s answer is different, but that feeling of tension is real. My queerness is a huge part of me, and I was trying to figure out how to nurture that part of myself. This album became a way for me to process that.
LUNA: That makes for some of the most powerful music: turning those emotions into something tangible. It was mentioned that you wrote most of the album on guitar and embraced a more direct, live recording approach. What motivated you to pursue that sound?
FOLICK: It just felt natural. I wrote it on guitar, so it made sense for it to be a guitar record.
LUNA: One of the tracks stands out as particularly tempestuous, culminating in a powerful scream. Can you walk us through the emotions behind that moment and how you captured it in the studio?
FOLICK: I had to scream because the lyrics literally call for it. That song is about sexual trauma and inherited trauma. When I sing songs like that, it feels like a collective scream. It’s not just my feelings, it’s bigger than me. I feel lucky to have the ability to scream like that musically, and I see it as my duty to do it. Not everyone has that outlet, so I do it for them.
LUNA: Your past albums have been described as coming-of-age records. In what ways does Erotica Veronica represent a new chapter for you artistically?
FOLICK: Honestly, will I ever stop making coming-of-age records? Does anyone? I feel like every phase of life is new. You don’t have to be young to make a coming-of-age album. This one is just another chapter in that journey.
LUNA: If it works, it works! Lastly, when listeners hear Erotica Veronica, what do you hope they take away about self-realization, autonomy and emotional exploration?
FOLICK: That it’s okay to have confusing desires and feelings. It’s okay to not know exactly what you want and to express that. We always hear “go after what you want,” but no one teaches you how to figure out what that is. That said, self-exploration should be done with kindness—to yourself and the people around you. We don’t exist in bubbles, and while we figure things out, we should be considerate of others, too.
Photography Credit: Catherine A LoMedico
