FEATURED INTERVIEW: Talking Violet – The Emotional Power of “Destroy”
Hailing from Windsor, Ontario, Talking Violet has carved a sonic lane all their own with their self-described “dreamo” sound — an evocative fusion of shoegaze, grunge, and dream-pop. With their latest single “Destroy”, the four-piece outfit invites listeners into one of their most vulnerable releases to date. The track is haunting, honest, and emotionally raw — a fitting closing chapter to the story told in their previous record Everything at Once.
We caught up with the band for an intimate written interview to dig deeper into the origins of “Destroy,” the healing behind the lyrics, and how Windsor’s DIY ethos still pulses through their sound. From navigating emotional contradictions to filming music videos in the woods and rage rooms, Talking Violet opens up about the layers behind their art and what fans can expect in the future.
Exposed Vocals:
“Destroy” feels deeply personal and reflective—can you take us back to the moment you knew this song had to be written?
Talking Violet:
This song came really quickly when I realized I wanted to close the thematic chapter of our album Everything at Once. The song and even that record is really deeply personal. So much so that I felt I needed to give it a “goodbye track” before moving onto the next era.
Exposed Vocals:
The track marks a sense of closure and acceptance. Was writing and recording “Destroy” part of your healing process, or did the clarity come afterward?
Talking Violet:
Writing it definitely felt really essential for understanding and healing at the time. I was kind of “spinning my wheels” a bit feeling like, “why am I not over this?” By the time it has now come out it feels really good though. It’s a bit hard to play live, but rewarding at the same time. It is one of the most vulnerable tracks we have for sure.
Exposed Vocals:
You coined your sound as “dreamo”—a mix of shoegaze, grunge, and dream-pop. How does “Destroy” fit into or stretch the boundaries of that genre blend?
Talking Violet:
“Destroy” is super dreamo to me, hahaha. That is because it’s lyrically very emotional, yet sonically it’s quite delicate for the most part. The song almost shimmers towards the end. With all the layers it has going on, I feel like it builds to a dream-like trance.
Exposed Vocals:
The lyrics dive into the complexity of loving someone while also letting them go. How do you navigate putting that emotional duality into words and sound?
Talking Violet:
Basically, I just let go of the idea that I cannot contradict myself when talking about changes in my life. Multiple things can be true at the same time, so I just let those feelings flow without interrogating if it made sense with one another.
Exposed Vocals:
Jillian, you’ve spoken about relearning your identity and healing from people-pleasing tendencies. How does that personal growth show up not just in “Destroy,” but in your live performances or future music?
Talking Violet:
I think performing tracks like “Destroy” that are super intimate is the natural next step in that journey. Then try to perform songs in front of the people they are written about and you have an extra challenge — it happens lol. A goal for me is to stay as honest as possible, so I really hope that in the long run, our catalogue can serve as a journal of different eras in our lives, as cliché as that sounds.
Exposed Vocals:
The visuals for “Destroy” are just as haunting and atmospheric as the track itself. What was the creative vision behind the music video, and how involved were you in shaping it?
Talking Violet:
The single artwork for “Destroy” was created by Jay (my partner and bandmate) and Claire, our best friend and team member, in the woods near my childhood home. We’ve created a lot of visions in those woods over the years, but never at night — so this was definitely spookier. We got a million bug bites shooting it, but it was so worth it.
The music video was also so fun to work on! We collaborated with Gavin Michael Booth (film director) on the entire concept. When I first sent him the song, we had a few other concepts rolling around until one day he called me and was like, “I have the perfect spot — a rage room,” since the song is called “Destroy.” Anyone who knows me knows that destroying things in this kind of way is so out of my character, so this was a cool and cathartic experience for sure!
Exposed Vocals:
Windsor has a unique creative energy. How has your hometown shaped the band’s sound or community around your music?
Talking Violet:
Windsor has always had a very DIY ethos to it that has been omnipresent throughout our entire career and more. For me, I see a lot of the punk influences that we kind of “grew up with” in the scene still sticking in our sound and how we approach a dedication to safe spaces for everyone who wants to come to a show.
Exposed Vocals:
You’ve had a great run on SiriusXM, editorial playlists, and the NACC charts. How do you balance the excitement of external success with the internal emotional depth your music often explores?
Talking Violet:
That is definitely something to get used to! But something I keep in mind is that it’s not only my story out in the open. Everyone is going to connect with it in their own unique ways and apply their experiences to it. So I like to think we are kind of all in it together and everyone has their own reasons.
Exposed Vocals:
Looking ahead, what do you hope listeners take away from “Destroy”? What kind of space do you hope your music holds for people going through similar transitions?
Talking Violet:
The main thing I would love listeners to take away from “Destroy” would be an acceptance that we can feel two “opposing” emotions. You can love someone and also be really hurt by them. You can really miss someone and also choose to see them for the last time.
The Phoenix Remix: Quickfire Round with Talking Violet
Name of Act: Talking Violet
Socials: @TalkingViolet
Pronouns:
- Jill – she/her
- Jay – he/him
- Jere – he/him
Latest single released:
“Destroy” – a slowburn that captures the emotional paradox of love, loss, and growth.
Favorite lyric in the song:
“Couldn’t believe you leave me here, I guess I’ll start a new life now.”
Favorite album track:
Menagerie Queen — a sentimental tribute to Jill’s late Nana.
Favorite song to play live:
Everything At Once
Longest song to write:
Scatterbrains — originally conceived years ago before finally taking shape.
Most emotional track:
Currently “Destroy.” Previously: Beach Baby or Come Through For Me.
Dream collaborations:
- Jill: Julien Baker or Hayley Williams
- Jay: Tom DeLonge or Billy Corgan
- Jere: HEALTH
Pre-show feeling:
Nervous and excited — with a comforting huddle before every performance.
Hardest track to play live:
- Jill: It’s Gonna Be Good
- Jay & Jere: Coercion
Tour essentials:
Squishmallow, headphones, mini fans
Fans in 3 words:
Thoughtful, punk, cute
A song you wish you wrote:
- Jay: “1979” – The Smashing Pumpkins
- Jill: “Tower of Memories” – Ivri
- Jere: “Digital Bath” – Deftones
What’s next in 2026:
More singles, more shows — and hopefully some US festival dates!
Final Thoughts
With “Destroy”, Talking Violet has delivered more than a song — it’s a declaration of emotional honesty wrapped in shimmering vulnerability. As they continue to evolve their sound and explore new themes, their authenticity remains front and center. Whether you’re already a fan or just discovering them through this release, one thing’s clear: Talking Violet is a band that doesn’t just create music — they create space for feeling.
