Cherish DeGraaf: Philosophy And Music

Cherish Degraaf’s voice is one that is silvery with a tang of loneliness. Intermixed with her daunting lyrics about harboring feelings, the ramification is music that is both haunting and vulnerable. Cherish brings a sense of melancholy to her music with her background as a philosophy major at Utah Valley University. Recently, Salt Lily Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Cherish to talk about her writing style and inspirations. 

When did you start writing music? 

I started writing, I guess, just out of boredom. I was like fifteen. I picked up this guitar that I found in [my family’s] basement ... It was like super old wasn't super reliable.  I taught myself how to play a couple chords. Then a couple weeks later, I had a song. I can't remember what the first song was called. I don't even know how it goes. But I just remember being around 15 when I started like, writing, 

Who are some of your musical influences? 

I would say Phoebe Bridgers is like one of my biggest influences, Daughter, and Lucy Dacus.Gregory Alan Isakov is kind of cool.

How does being a philosophy major influence your music? 

It's given me a lot more to think about when I'm either writing or just about to start writing. It's kind of reshaped my whole worldview.  As a philosophy major, just kind of thinking about things a little bit differently, what's important and the ‘why’s of the world. You know. 

What made you want to study philosophy? 

I guess, just being able to examine things through a different lens. I've always been interested in like, pursuing different worldviews. And philosophy is just something that's always kind of challenging the views that I have and making me think harder about the things that I believe it's 

You’re working on a new album, when are you expecting to release it? 

So we're working on it right now? I'm hoping the end of this year, beginning of next year. 

What’s something you want your audience to get your new album or your music in general? 

I think the biggest thing I tried to convey in my music is the feeling of like, trying to describe that you're not alone in anything you go through. There's always someone there for you who's willing to listen, you just have to find that someone

Do you have any specific themes you like writing about? 

So this album that I'm working on, the theme of it is abandonment, which is kind of sad. But I've been able to examine it through different perspectives. So there's the typical perspective of abandonment through someone that you love. And then there's also like, the theme of abandonment in family relationships, and within your own self as well. I think there's something very profound about just being able to examine this idea of being alone and being okay with it

Do you draw inspiration from your own experiences? 

Yeah, definitely. I take a lot of my own perspectives and experiences I've been through and I've been just kind of trying to input those into my songs.

How has your music evolved since you first started? 

I think it's deeper. I'm able to kind of examine the parts of myself that I was uncomfortable with before. So, I've been able to kind of delve into those spots, I guess. And just kind of expand on those things that are generally uncomfortable. It’s  been cool to get to know myself better through my music. 

Why do you love playing music? 

I was actually thinking about this earlier. I was talking with my producer Josh Snyder about like, ‘Why am I going through all this?’ ‘Why am I  going through all this trouble to make this album?’ and ‘Why do I like to make music?’. I guess my main thing is, I just really love being able to connect with people. And then that same kind of idea of fostering, like, not being alone and just being that for each other. Feeling just like love. 

Cherish DeGraaf will be playing Salt Lily Presents on our Instagram and Facebook page on October 30th at 7pm MDT. Meanwhile, you can follow her on Instagram and listen to her music on Spotify.