The Nashville-based indie-pop artist opens up about letting go of people-pleasing, finding freedom in songwriting, and the emotional world behind her upcoming debut EP.
Becoming the Villain, on Her Own Terms
For RODDY, being the villain isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, it's just what happens when you finally start putting yourself first.
The Nashville-based indie-pop artist has a way of turning complicated emotions into something unapologetically her own. Her latest single, “MENACE,” released October 9, captures the moment when being the easygoing girl stops feeling like a compliment and starts feeling like a compromise.
“I've spent so much of my life being a people pleaser,” RODDY tells Everyday Jams. After years of biting her tongue to keep the peace, a difficult experience with a friend pushed her to reconsider what she was willing to tolerate.
“That realization became ‘MenacE.’ It's about reaching the point where you'd rather be misunderstood than continue betraying yourself just to be liked.”
It's a fitting introduction to an artist who's learning to embrace every side of herself, even the messy ones.
Finding Her Voice Beyond the Stage
Originally from Orlando, Florida, RODDY has been performing since she was three years old. She went on to earn her BFA in Musical Theatre from Florida State University, spending much of her life telling stories through characters. But stepping into her own music meant leaving some of that protection behind.
“In theatre, we're constantly putting ourselves in vulnerable situations and expressing these huge, sometimes extreme emotions, but there's always this layer of protection because everything is motivated by a character,” she explains.
With RODDY, those characters have been replaced by something much more personal.
“These songs are essentially an open invitation into my diary, which is both terrifying and incredibly empowering.”
That honesty sits at the center of her artistry. Drawing inspiration from Maggie Rogers, Holly Humberstone, Olivia Rodrigo, and Balu Brigada, RODDY gravitates toward music that makes you believe every word. Her own songwriting follows a similarly instinctive process, often beginning with improvised melodies before revealing emotions she hadn't quite found the words for.
Now based in Nashville, she's found a community of musicians and creatives who continue to challenge and inspire her. It's also where she's been developing a live presence that brings her theatrical background into a new setting. For RODDY, movement, storytelling, and music have always belonged together.
The Freedom in “MENACE”
While “MENACE” has an undeniable bite, there's something deeply freeing beneath its frustration.
“Honestly, ‘MenacE’ is my little temper tantrum that I get to come back to whenever I need to remember who the fuck I am haha.”
It's that combination of humor, self-awareness, and vulnerability that makes RODDY such an interesting artist to follow. She isn't pretending to have everything figured out. She's documenting what it feels like to get there.
And beneath the frustration that inspired “MENACE” is a message she's still learning to live by: having boundaries doesn't make someone difficult, and being misunderstood doesn't mean you've done something wrong.
What's Next for RODDY
That exploration continues with her upcoming debut EP, a project centered on the uncomfortable contradictions of love, loss, anger, and gratitude. Her next single, “Gave it all uP,” arrives November 20, with more music planned throughout 2027.
“Something can have been wonderful and still have hurt you. You can miss something and know you're better off without it,” she shares.
Rather than forcing those emotions into neat conclusions, RODDY is allowing them to exist together, even when they contradict one another.
As she moves into this next chapter, she's less interested in presenting a perfectly polished version of herself than in making music that feels truthful, personal, and entirely her own.
And if “MENACE” is any indication, she's finding her voice by refusing to make herself smaller.
Stream “MENACE” now, and keep RODDY on your radar as she prepares to release “Gave it all uP” on November 20.
Photography: Orchees
Instagram: @r.od.dy
