Words by Samir Jaffer
Interview by Michael Zarathus-Cook
Interview by Michael Zarathus-Cook
Alessia Cara is at a juncture of her career that few artists reach. The Canadian singer-songwriter supernova is on the other side of the first decade of her career, a decade which has borne plenty of successful records both critically and commercially, while catapulting herself to the upper echelons of the music industry. With a rise like that, though, it’s fair to wonder how such fame and success affects one’s artistry; moreover, the state of the connection an artist like Cara has to the initial motivations and love of craft that prompted her to embark on this quest. Early career highs can feel precarious, especially when you come from humble beginnings like Cara did, and the pursuit of consistent success can come with a subliminal deviation from what drew you to do what you’re passionate about in the first place. At that emotional fever pitch, then, it can feel like there’s only one path to the top of the mountain—obsession.
