Faye Webster and her brother Luke on creating art with your family

Earlier this year, we launched our inaugural project celebrating Spotify’s alt-pop playlist Lorem. Last month we spotlighted indie up-and-coming musician Hemlocke Springs, the first of our Lorem talent. Together with creative director Ana Peralta Chong, they discussed finding friendships through creative partnerships.

Now for the third digital zine, we called upon singer-songwriter Faye Webster. Born and raised in Atlanta, Webster first arrived on the scene when she was just 16 years old. “When I was old enough to realise it was the only thing that I felt like gave me purpose, and that everything else I tried to do didn’t have the same effect on me,” she explains, of her desire to pursue music. Her debut album introduced her unique sound which weaves an intricate musical tapestry that effortlessly blends indie folk, alt-country, and soulful R&B. Since she has gone on to release several other records, tour with Haim and become one of the standout indie artists of her generation. 

Recounting her earliest memory of music, she explains, “[I remember] hearing our brother playing guitar through the walls of our childhood home and thinking I wanted to do that too.” Throughout her career, her family has played a pivotal role in her progression as an artist. Her brother, Luke, a graphic designer has worked on the visuals for many of her projects. “I got involved in graphic design when I was in college in my late teens, specifically trying to learn how to print t-shirts for our older brother’s band,” Luke says. “I kind of figured out that process as I went, from creating graphics on a computer to figuring out how to screen print at home. I really didn’t understand the ins-and-outs of what I was doing, but I just remember this burning desire to figure out these processes even if it was the last thing I did.”

Below Faye and Luke talk about their favourite Lorem artists, childhood memories and what it’s like working with your sibling.

What is your favourite childhood memory of each other?

Faye Webster: Playing basketball in the driveway. My room was right by the driveway so every time I heard Luke bounce the ball I knew it was time to play. Also, early in the mornings in winter before we would get on the school bus Luke would get ready really fast so that he could sit on the floor heater, he called it the warmie.

Luke Webster: I feel like Faye and I had some really great games of H.O.R.S.E. at the basketball hoop at our parent’s house growing up. She was always fierce competition and we took our wins & losses very seriously.

What song was the soundtrack to your childhood?

Faye Webster: I would say Coast to Coast by Asleep At The Wheel. It was our parents' favorite band growing up and Luke and I still have a soft spot for them.

Luke Webster: Probably the discography of this western swing band our parents liked called Asleep At The Wheel. Or the Wicked soundtrack that was in our mom’s car.

Did you grow up with similar music tastes or different?

Faye Webster: Yeah I would say so, I think we both enjoyed listening to different things but would always still have roots of the same stuff.

Luke Webster: I don’t remember there being a ton of similarities between Faye and my music tastes growing up. I think we both developed our own stylistic tastes pretty early in life. I actually remember any crossover in tastes feeling pretty novel. But I think we have become more similar in our adult lives.

What was the first project you worked on together?

Faye Webster: I think my record Atlanta Millionaires Club. We both had such similar visions for the record and it was nice to be able to execute them together. 

Luke Webster: Probably on the album package for Faye’s 2019 album Atlanta Millionaires Club. I spent a lot of time designing a lotto scratcher for the back of the album tracklist and the album merchandise as well. I was really eager to work on a project like that with Faye and I remember just being really excited about being about to make that happen.

Favourite memory of working together professionally?

Faye Webster: I think everything we did around the I Know I’m Funny Haha release - we created a logo that was so simple and versatile that it made merchandise really fun. Some of my favorite pieces we’ve made.

Luke Webster: One time Faye was setting up for a show in DC that unexpectedly ended up having a lot of LED screens onstage that she could use. I was at home in Brooklyn but she called me on the phone and we talked through a design to fill out all of the screens in 10 or 15 minutes. I kept hurriedly emailing files to the lighting guy at the venue to throw up onto the screens. Faye Facetimed me the results, and we quickly made tweaks. We eventually did get it right and it kind of felt like a design reconnaissance mission.

What has working with family taught you about collaboration? 

Faye Webster: It’s really nice to be able to work with family, I also get to tour with my other brother who is an amazing bassist, and it makes me feel lucky to be so close and together all the time.

Luke Webster: I think working with a sibling has taught me a lot about communication. I think we are both forced to listen to one another in a different way than we had when we were younger.

Favourite song from the Lorem playlist?

Faye Webster: ‘Alien Love Call’ by Turnstile x BADBADNOTGOOD.

If you could collaborate with anyone on the playlist who would it be and why?

Faye Webster: Probably also Turnstile! They are one of my favourite bands even though our styles are so different. I think that’s why a collab would be so cool.

Luke Webster: I’ve been a fan of Charli XCX for years. She is such a legend and I’ve always wanted to design a piece of merch for her.

Do you make your own playlists often? If so, which is your longest and most listened to playlist?

Faye Webster: I do! I have an anxiety playlist I listen to on planes or backstage full of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Duval Timothy, my biggest playlist is probably one I’ve made of my favourite Eslabon Armado songs. I have another playlist of things I’m currently listening to that I play in the lobby at my shows.

Luke Webster: I have a playlist of Karaoke songs that I have been keeping up with for years. There are currently 115 songs on it. It’s a wide net. There are some hits, strives and misses, but that’s the name of the game. It’s a really helpful resource to have on hand.

If you had to make a three-song playlist for each other which songs would be on it?

Faye Webster: If I made a playlist for Luke right now I’d do:

1.   ‘Jesus Etc’ by Wilco
2.     ‘Friends In Low Places’ by Garth Brooks
3.     ‘Boogie Back To Texas’ by Asleep At The Wheel

Luke Webster: My playlist for Faye would be: 

1.     ‘Drivin’ On 9’ by The Breeders
2.     ‘Wood Cabine’ by Saint Etienne
3.     ‘We Could Be Looking For The Same Thing’ by Silver Jews

How do you both combine the visuals with the music when you are working together? Do you have any advice for siblings who want to creatively work together? 

Faye Webster: I think communication and honesty are key. We will always pitch ideas to each other and be honest about whether we think they are good or not – but most importantly I think we’ve created a safe space where we are actually able to do that with each other.