Kerrin Connolly has never been great with compliments. “I think it’s interesting we treat moments of sympathy and congratulations very similarly, with flowers and cards and kind words,” says the Boston-based singer, songwriter and internet indie-pop sensation. “I wanted to explore that within the context of being a performer and person who creates art.”
To that end, “Flowers Pt. 1” is a direct transmission from someone who refuses to acknowledge—let alone revel in—her accomplishments. It’s also the final tease for her self-released third album, Simpleton, due February 20. An authentic DIY product of the digital age, Connolly appeared out of nowhere in 2016, quite literally banging on pots and pans in a homemade YouTube cover of Young The Giant’s “Mr. Know-It-All.” The clip was shared on Reddit and garnered more than 300,000 views. More recently, 2020’s “Fly In My Room” has topped out at more than two million streams on Spotify.
“It always takes a huge emotional toll on me to finish a project or prep for a performance,” says Connolly. “So when it’s finally over, the phrases ‘congrats’ and ‘get well soon’ both end up feeling appropriate at the same time. There’s also something to be said about just not believing that you’ve done something good—so when people compliment you on it, you can only perceive it as pity.”
We’re proud to premiere Kerrin Connolly’s “Flowers Pt. 1.”
—Hobart Rowland
