Georgia VanNewkirk Talks "CRUSH," Summer Whimsy, and Learning Not to Take It All So Seriously

When we caught up with Georgia, she shared that "CRUSH" came from an unexpected place. At the time, she was deep into writing what she describes as a breakup album.

"Every day that week, I would come to the studio, overshare, we'd write a devastating song, and I'd cry," she told us. "After three days of that, I looked at my producer and was like, should we write something a little more, I don't know, fun?"

The inspiration was surprisingly simple. She had only been on a handful of dates with someone new, but she found herself wanting to preserve the feeling before anything became complicated.

"You're getting to know each other, everything is fun, and nothing bad has happened yet. You're right in the sweet spot of semi familiarity mixed with the endless possibilities of what could be."

That's exactly where "CRUSH" lives.

The Soundtrack to a Coming of Age Movie

One of the things that makes "CRUSH" so vivid is how visual it feels.

Georgia doesn't just remember writing the song. She remembers every scene.

"I can visualize the entire story every time I listen to it."

Each verse follows another date, almost like flipping through scenes in a movie. One memory, in particular, became the emotional center of the song.

After accidentally showing up to the wrong bar on Sunset Boulevard with her best friend, the two sprinted through the pouring rain trying to find the right place. They arrived completely soaked, laughing the entire way.

That night eventually became the lyric:

"Running up Sunset, 4 a.m., soaking wet."

In Georgia's mind, it's the defining moment of the story.

"It's the John Hughes scene that's playing in slow motion before the protagonist runs into her crush's arms."

That ability to turn ordinary moments into something cinematic has become one of her greatest strengths as a songwriter.

Growing Into Her Own Voice

Georgia has been releasing music for seven years, and when we asked how her songwriting has changed, her answer was remarkably honest.

Early on, she found herself writing more about imagined worlds than real experiences.

"I wanted to come off as this unbothered, whimsical fairy."

Now, she approaches songwriting very differently.

"I've had no choice but to be transparent, because telling the story down to the rip in my jeans and the way the summer smelled that afternoon is an integral part of the emotional release."

That specificity gives her songs their emotional weight. They're deeply personal, but somehow still feel familiar, as though listeners have lived versions of those same moments themselves.

Music Doesn't Always Have to Be So Serious

While "CRUSH" opens the door to a larger project arriving later this year, it also marked a creative shift for Georgia.

More than anything, the song reminded her to loosen up.

"CRUSH taught me not to take myself so seriously."

One lyric almost didn't survive because she worried it would be too obvious.

"You look like Anthony Kiedis, and I think there's something between us."

The line references the person who inspired the song, who had played a young Anthony Kiedis in a Red Hot Chili Peppers music video.

At first, she hesitated.

Then she realized something.

"Who ever accomplished greatness by being subtle or shy?"

The lyric stayed.

Thankfully, so did the approval of its real life inspiration.

"He loves the song, by the way."

Finding Joy in the Process

Outside of her own artist project, Georgia also manages fellow artist Dani Rucker, giving her a perspective on the industry from both sides.

Rather than pulling her attention away from making music, it's helped reshape how she views it.

She told us she's fallen in love with everything surrounding a release, from the visuals and rollout to the merch and live shows. It's made her a stronger advocate for other artists while also taking some of the pressure off herself.

"Being an artist has only made me a better manager, and being a manager has only made me a better artist."

That perspective seems to have changed the way she approaches releases altogether.

"Music is meant to be listened to. My mindset now is: put it out, make cool stuff with your friends, engage with the people who support you, write more songs, repeat."

It's simple advice, but it feels refreshingly freeing in a world that often encourages artists to wait for everything to be perfect.

Lean Into the Whimsy

By the end of our conversation, it became clear that "CRUSH" is about much more than a new relationship.

It's about allowing yourself to be excited again.

To be hopeful.

To embrace a little irrationality.

Georgia hopes listeners walk away feeling exactly that.

"I hope they leave the song feeling a little lighter and a little more open to the excitement of having a crush, because it's such a wonderfully irrational thing."

She paused before adding what might be our favorite line from the entire interview.

"If CRUSH reminds someone to embrace that and maybe text the person they've been thinking about, then I feel like the song has done its job."

Sometimes the best songs don't try to change your life.

They simply remind you how fun it can be to let yourself feel something.

Stream "CRUSH" by Georgia VanNewkirk Out Now.