Billie Eilish is stepping into a new phase of her music career as she learns to produce her own work, moving beyond the collaborative dynamic she has maintained with her brother, Finneas O’Connell. For the past several years, Finneas has been the sole producer of all Eilish’s music, helping craft her distinctive sound. In a recent interview with Guitar.com, he addressed some misconceptions about their early work, emphasizing that it wasn’t solely created on a laptop.
“We like guitar!” Finneas stated, referencing their 2017 EP Don’t Smile At Me and parts of her debut album, which incorporated live instrumentation. This detail highlights the duo’s commitment to organic sound even amidst a digital landscape.
As Eilish begins to take the reins in production, Finneas expressed his support while relinquishing some control. “I’ve been setting up Billie’s recording studio for her so she can do home production without me because she’s very good at it!” he explained. He noted that he has intentionally provided her with a simplified setup, aimed at fostering her learning process.
“I’m very ‘unsnobby’ about my gear,” Finneas said. “I could give you all the stuff that I use now, but it took me years to even have a use for it. If I give you this basic thing, it’ll make sense to you right away.” This approach reflects his desire for Eilish to grasp the fundamentals of music production without being overwhelmed.
Their close collaboration has not been without its challenges. In a memorable appearance on Hot Ones in July, the siblings discussed the tensions that can arise during their creative process. “I think the longest, biggest argument was during a period of transition in maybe both of our lives where we were just trying to be kind of honest,” Finneas said. He admitted to being “high and mighty” about pushing Eilish to maintain authenticity in her work.
“I learned a lot from being too egocentric in that process,” he added, showcasing a level of self-reflection that underscores their evolving partnership.
In a May interview with Zane Lowe, Finneas revealed his struggles with production, even contemplating quitting. Eilish responded with understanding and empathy, asking, “What does that mean for us? And what are we going to do?” This moment of vulnerability highlights the depth of their sibling bond and their commitment to each other’s well-being in both personal and professional realms.
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Despite these challenges, the duo continues to thrive creatively. On a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Eilish shared a nostalgic clip of herself and Finneas working on an early version of “Birds of a Feather” while traveling to a show in Brazil. “That song never felt right,” she reflected, indicating how much the song has evolved since then. “It’s such an old version of the song that I don’t even really remember, and it sounds so different. It’s just really amazing to see how far the song has come.”
As Eilish navigates her burgeoning independence in music production, she continues to enjoy remarkable success. Recently, she was named Spotify’s most-streamed monthly artist, attracting over 100 million listeners. This achievement further solidifies her status as a leading figure in contemporary pop music.
Eilish’s journey reflects a broader trend in the music industry where artists are increasingly seeking autonomy in their creative processes. As she develops her production skills, fans eagerly await what this new chapter will bring. The potential for Eilish to explore her artistic voice independently adds an exciting dimension to her already diverse discography.
