Shannon Purser on Barb, Songwriting, OCD, and Finding Her Artistic Voice

From Barb to Songwriter

• 🎯 Shannon Purser, known for her role as Barb in Stranger Things, discusses her transition into music and writing.
• 🚀 She initially didn't anticipate the massive success of Stranger Things, viewing it as a dream opportunity rather than a career launchpad.
• 💡 Purser encourages young artists to value their own voice and artistic ability, emphasizing that perfection isn't necessary to create meaningful work.

The Art of Storytelling Through Music

• 🎶 Purser's love for music stems from her musical parents and a lifelong passion for writing, though she initially doubted her songwriting abilities.
• 🎭 Both acting and songwriting are seen as forms of storytelling, a core passion that she believes will always be central to her career.
• 🎮 Her new single, "Leave (Good Ending)," is inspired by the video game Silent Hill 2, showcasing a varied range of inspirations for her music.

Personal Growth and Vulnerability

• 🎂 Releasing "Leave (Good Ending)" on her birthday symbolizes an evolution in her artistic journey and personal growth over the past year.
• 🧠 The song's title, "Leave (Good Ending)," reflects the game's theme of facing demons to become a better version of oneself, a concept that resonates with her own experiences with mental health struggles and therapy.
• 💬 Purser finds songwriting cathartic, often writing from the perspective of fictional characters to explore personal themes indirectly, making art a tool for healing and processing difficult emotions.

Creative Freedom and Artistic Expression

• 🎤 Unlike acting, where she uses others' words, songwriting offers Purser creative freedom and autonomy to speak from her heart.
• 🎧 While performing live music might be daunting, the creative process itself has been intimate and safe, collaborating with producer Jack Mullen.
• 🌟 She hopes her music, even if not widely popular, feels sincere and original, potentially inspiring others to create their own art.

Processing OCD and Life's Challenges

• 🧩 Songwriting, like journaling, helps Purser process difficult experiences, including OCD and other mental health struggles.
• 🤝 She advocates for empathy and understanding towards those with mental illness, emphasizing that vulnerability is key to healing and growth.
• ⏳ Purser reflects on the passing of time and existence in her music, with "Leave (Good Ending)" offering a more hopeful outlook than previous tracks like "Bog Man."

Artistic Inspirations and Future

• 💡 Artists like Kate Bush inspire Purser's methodology of creating art inspired by other stories, whether fictional or non-fictional.
• 🎮 She humorously notes that while Silent Hill 2 inspired her song, she would not want to live in that video game world, preferring something with indoor plumbing.
• 📚 Childhood hyperfixations included book series like Percy Jackson and Redwall, and the Cartoon Network show Code Lyoko.
• 🌟 Purser would love to reboot Buffy the Vampire Slayer and play Willow, a lesbian witch character.