We were lucky to catch up with Your Best Nightmare recently and have shared our conversation below.
Your Best Nightmare, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
As a child, I was probably four, I decided I wanted to be a performer thanks to the femme force Britney Spears. It was around the time “Baby One More Time” came out. She could dance, she could sing, she could do it all; and I wanted to do that, too. I had her CDs; I had a Britney Spears barbie; I sang along to her songs; I even dressed up as her for Halloween one year.
As I grew, I continued to pursue everything I could in the creative and performing arts. I danced for fifteen years; I sang in every choir I could; I did theater. Once I got older and braver, in middle school of all places, I auditioned for the musical and found out I could actually sing. I think that rush of that first real performance on stage truly set me on this path. I live for the high of putting on a show.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi, I’m Your Best Nightmare! I’m born and raised, and currently residing in, the lovely state of New Jersey; so I think there’s something in the water here that makes all the musicians extra special. I’ve been making, listening to, and performing music for what feels like my whole life. I’m a classically trained soprano and multi-instrumentalist, and I make bubblegum punk music. I debuted an EP in August, and I am set to release my first full-length album this spring. I think my attitude and musicality sets me apart from other artists. My music lyrically aligns with punk, but the instrumentation choices I make tend to surprise audiences; my signature instrument is my electric ukulele.
I’m incredibly proud of the work I put out, and I hope it gets people to stop and listen. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, and a male dominated scene, it feels especially important to use my voice for good (and a little evil). My work tends to lean into my passion for horror while addressing topics like toxic masculinity, gender norms and expectations, and female empowerment.
How did you build your audience on social media?
If you follow me on the internet you know I horrifically authentic, and sometimes a bit unhinged. I made a promo video for my hot sauce merch where I drank the hot sauce; I love hot sauce a lot! I once got told by a reputable marketing agency that I “had no brand” and that to make it in the industry I basically need to brand myself, which feels stupid. I’m a person, not an item. I don’t think I’d follow someone trying to make a difference in the world if they weren’t even genuine.
After that, I just decided to keep making videos that were authentically me. I’m not going to pretend to be someone that I’m not. I’ve found that being myself is more powerful than creating an online persona to maintain. I don’t script videos or spend a lot of time thinking about what a viewer wants from me because I have other stuff to do. I record, edit a little, and then share it with the world.
I think if you’re starting to build a social media presence it pays off to be authentic, and to not worry so much about social media. You’re going to attract genuine people with genuine content. Focusing on aligning with trends, or being present on social media every day, is exhausting. Creatives have to save some energy for creating.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Go to local shows and support local artists. Supporting your favorite national artists is totally cool too, but your favorite national artists started off as local artists. Supporting your local music scene is a great way to support a creative ecosystem. Most of your local shows are happening at clubs, bars, VFWs, or houses in your community; supporting your local music scene means you get to help keep the lights on at establishments in your community! Your local music scene gives back to the community while creating. I’ve got friends who collect food donations at shows; friends who provide harm reduction kits; and I’ve seen numerous toy drive shows in the local scene. Attending a show that gives back to your community keeps the whole community thriving and keeps you included in something bigger than yourself.
Supporting your local music scene means that your community creatives can keep creating. The people selling food at the house show can keep making the best empanadas you’ve ever hard; the bar/club can keep their staff employed; the artist at the DIY space can make more art; the musicians can fund more music and merch; all with your help!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://yourbestnightmare.my.canva.site
- Instagram: @itsactually_erin
- Facebook: @yourbestnightmarenj
- Twitter: @itsactuallyerin
- Youtube: @yourbestnightmarenj
- Other: http://linktr.ee/yourbestnightmare
Image Credits
Cristal Fernandez