Courtney Hadwin isn’t your typical pop newcomer, and she’s not trying to be. Thrust into the spotlight at just 13 thanks to a jaw-dropping audition on America’s Got Talent, Courtney quickly became known for her powerhouse vocals and vintage soul, earning comparisons to Janis Joplin. But rather than ride the viral wave straight into the industry machine, she hit pause. Instead of rushing out an album to capitalise on the buzz, she took the long road and dedicated time to figure out who she was, what she wanted to say, and what her music really sounds like when no one else is in the room.
Now, Courtney returns with her new single ‘D.N.A.‘ A brash, electrifying, funk-fuelled anthem that’s impossible to ignore, it’s the kind of song that doesn’t just ask for your attention, it grabs it by the collar and dances you around the room. ‘D.N.A. channels the obsessive rush of a crush while letting Courtney completely let loose. It’s also a bold taste of what’s to come on her upcoming debut album LITTLE MISS JAGGED, due out this September, a record that promises no genre constraints, no compromises, just full-volume self-expression.
Noctis Magazine spoke with Courtney about the making of ‘D.N.A.’, her creative partnership with Grammy-winning producer Kevin Bowe, and the personal journey behind LITTLE MISS JAGGED.
Congratulations on the release of your new single ‘D.N.A.’ It’s such a wild, infectious track! Can you tell us about the moment the idea for the song first came to you?
Kevin Bowe, my producer, sent me a really cool composed piece of music, like maybe a 10 second loop. I loved how funky it sounded and we immediately jumped onto a FaceTime call, and the song happened in about an hour and a half.
You’ve said ‘D.N.A. has no real song structure and was one of the most fun songs you’ve written. What was it like leaning into that sense of chaos and freedom during the writing process?
It was so fun! I mean don’t get me wrong I love writing songs and lyrics with real good meaning and following a stereotypical song lyric structure pattern but sometimes it’s nice just to see where the song actually takes me instead of me leading it. The song lyrics are just so bizarre and have no real meaning but I think they really sum up and capture the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings that come with the obsessive nature of a crush but with added humour!
You worked with Grammy-winning producer Kevin Bowe on ‘D.N.A.’ What was that collaboration like and how did he help bring the track to life?
I always work with Kevin and have never worked with a producer that I have clicked with and can write with so confidently. Kevin is not just a work colleague he’s also a friend which makes writing with him and expressing my ideas so much easier and it helps that he’s amazing at his job!
The track is off of your upcoming album, LITTLE MISS JAGGED. That title feels like a statement. What does that name mean to you?
I’ve always said I’m like marmite! I’m rough around the edges and I’m far from perfect but I know that and I embrace that through music! I went through such a musical journey of trying to create music to fit in, to a point that I realised that’s where I was going wrong. I should be making music I love, not trying to impress other people!
You’ve described the album as showing a disregard for genre. Was that a conscious decision going in, or did it just evolve that way naturally as you wrote and recorded?
I’ve always hated listening to an album from an artist I like and it just being a consistency of the same sounds and the same melodies to the point every song sounds the same apart from the singles. I hate the term album fillers! There should be NO album fillers, every song in my album I could have had as a single, every song has its own unique story and sound. Kevin asked me what’s the genre of the album? My answer was I don’t even know what genre of music I fit into so why put my album into one. I grew up singing musical theatre and finding a love for music with pop, studying artists and finding more about their backgrounds to find artists in the rock n roll, soul and blues genre. All music is good music if you can feel good about it and relate!
Is there a track on the album that you feel especially proud of or personally connected to?
I would say ‘Die and Stay Pretty’ was a song I was so so proud of in the lyrics area. It was a song I felt very vulnerable writing and was the start of me writing so personally. Music has always been a way for me to communicate, but that was the first time I was honest with myself and opened up fully.
If someone listens to LITTLE MISS JAGGED front to back, what do you hope they walk away feeling or understanding about you as an artist?
“THAT WAS DIFFERENT” I want people to walk away and question what song they need to listen to again.
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Words: Alexander Williams