Columbia University student Kacey Fifield is living out her dream as a rising artist with her 2024 EP Nostalgia Haunts Me, which amassed over 700k streams in under four months. However, there is still something she is vying for: to be his “Dream Girl.”
This aspiration is the subject of her latest single “Dream Girl.” The infectious pop melody, shaped by layered vocals and delayed synth, candidly explores the measures people take to conform to societal standards and the potentially toxic consequences.
We chatted with Kacey about the making of “Dream Girl,” her upcoming live performance at The Mint LA on August 14th, and what’s to come from this new era!
What inspired your new single “Dream Girl”?
The song was inspired by an idea I had back in August of a “dream girl” who seems perfect on the surface but is actually driving herself crazy just to fit that mold. In the studio, as soon as we started coming up with the chorus chord progression, the lyrics “so unwell, I get possessive and I lose myself” came to me with the melody. Building on that melody idea and thinking back to the concept I came up with in August, we shaped the rest of the song to show the contrast between being a supposedly picture-perfect dream girl and the consequences to fit that beauty standard.
You co-wrote this song with Sam Beresford and Michael Kamerman. What was it like collaborating with them on this song?
Collaborating with Sam and Michael is the best! We wrote my previous songs “Never Reply” and “Left Behind” together as well. I think we all bounce off of each other’s ideas and energy very well and I absolutely love the tracks we’ve made together!
This is your first release since your Nostalgia Haunts Me EP. How does this song fit into your next era?
The majority of Nostalgia Haunts Me was written while I was finishing my senior year of high school so, in terms of songwriting, this release definitely showcases a newer side of me as a songwriter. Sonically, it’s a lot more upbeat/hyper pop than my previous releases. Expect my next era to keep building on this foundation of fun, exciting music with sharp lyrics!
If you could set up fans in the perfect environment to listen to “Dream Girl,” what do you imagine it looking like?
It’s such a high-energy song that I think the dream environment would either be a party or outside on a hot girl walk/run! It’s definitely a track that’ll get you hyped 🙂
“Dream Girl” is made to be performed live! What can fans expect from your performance at The Mint LA on August 14th?
They can definitely expect to hear “Dream Girl’s” live debut!!! I’m also playing a bunch of songs of my recent EP, Nostalgia Haunts Me, and my album, Between the Lines. I’m even playing a few fun covers that the audience will definitely recognize!!! Will be a fun one for sure, don’t miss it!
What can fans look forward to next?
After my LA show on August 14th, I’m going to be back in NYC for college, so fans can definitely expect a few East Coast shows coming up! Aside from that, I have a ton of songs in my “vault” right now and even more still in progress… Stay tuned for updates on my next release!!!
What is one quote that you have heard or that you go by that you want to ECHO out to the world?
I love the quote “It takes 10 years to become an overnight sensation.” I’m not sure who originally said it, but I heard it on a podcast called Share Your Screen and really resonated with it, especially since we’ve recently seen the success of artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter who had been working at it for years. I think it’s so important in the music industry (but also in any career path) to keep chasing your passion and working hard, even if you don’t see success right away.
Featured Photo Credit: Maiya Buck
Amelia Cordischi, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Juice Box Press, is an accomplished digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in media and communications. Her work has been featured in notable publications, including The Boston Globe. A communications graduate of Simmons University in Boston, Amelia served as manager of Simmons College Radio (“The Shark”), where she also launched and co-hosted her radio show, The Find.
In addition to her editorial work, Amelia is an established freelance photographer, with bylines in Blended Magazine and CelebMix, capturing artists and cultural moments across the music and media landscape. Her career began at WCVB-TV’s Chronicle, the ABC affiliate in Boston, where she gained firsthand experience in broadcast journalism and storytelling.
When she’s not taking photos from the photo pit, interviewing emerging artists, or crafting the next Juice Box Press feature, Amelia can be found thrifting and exploring the world of sustainable fashion.