The Journey of Scaredy Cat: An Exclusive Interview with an Independent Artist

I had the privilege of interviewing the independent artist Scaredy Cat, during which we discussed his upbringing, his music, and various other topics. I hope you guys enjoy reading this!

Amit Ahuja: Let’s start at the beginning — tell us about where you grew up. What was your hometown like, and what kind of environment did you call home during your early years? Was it a small, tight-knit community where everyone knew each other, or a lively city full of movement and change? What are some of your fondest memories from growing up there? We’d love to hear about the people, traditions, or everyday moments that helped shape who you are today. How do you think your upbringing and community influenced your perspective on life or the path you eventually chose?

Scaredy Cat: I grew up in Indianapolis, IN. It was pretty much like the standard traditional ‘big city’ you would expect from about anywhere. I grew up with just my mom and I never knew my dad. We lived as normally as possible with a single parent, one income household! We did pretty well with what we had. I was just raised to always seize opportunities and believe that you can do whatever you want to.

Amit Ahuja: Let’s start from the very beginning of your musical journey—can you recall a specific moment, experience, or influence that first ignited your passion for music? Whether it was a performance, a particular song, a mentor, or even a personal challenge, what was it that made you realize music would become such an important part of your life? How did that defining moment shape the direction you’ve taken since, both creatively and personally, and how has it continued to influence your evolution as an artist?"

Scaredy Cat: I have the fondest memories of blasting Counting Crows ‘A Long December’ with my mom in the car and always thinking it was about me because my birthday is in December. HAHA. I remember specifically thinking that I would make songs that did that kind of thing for people one day, too. So, when I was 9 years old, I begged for my first guitar and got it for Christmas. It was a Jackson flying V, which is hilarious looking back on today. Haha. I just thought it looked super rad as a kid. I started to teach myself just based on my ear because we really couldn’t do lessons and this was before tools were available like You tube. It took several years before I could play anything worth-while and soon I learned that I was inadvertently playing chords.

Amit Ahuja: What initially drew you to becoming an artist?

Scaredy Cat: I just felt (& still do) this sense of magic and wonder when I heard a great song. It just felt right. I wanted to learn how to be that for others immediately. Music always gave me a sense of calm that nothing else could.

Amit Ahuja:  What themes or emotions are you most drawn to exploring in your music, and why?

Scaredy Cat: All of my music is quite sad, generally speaking. I think because to me it helps align complex emotions into a much more digestible form and it feels good for the listener to know that they’re not the only ones going through things. Sad songs are strangely comforting.

Amit Ahuja: How would you describe your style?

Scaredy Cat: I think I have a pretty traditional emo style. Most of my music probably sounds like it teleported here from 2005.

Amit Ahuja: Can you explain what drew you toward choosing Nostalgia-Core as your main focus, and what specific aspects of it—whether cultural, aesthetic, or personal—made it stand out to you compared to other styles or movements you could have explored?”

Scaredy Cat: I am a first generation myspace kid. I grew up on Dashboard, Spill Canvas, Brand New and many more like these and it also felt like those songs resonated with me so well that I leaned heavily into that style as well. I hoped I could connect with others (& probably also myself) the same way these other bands connected with me.

Amit Ahuja: Are there particular people, works of art, or life events that have significantly inspired you throughout your journey? Could you share how those influences first entered your life and in what ways they continue to shape your creativity, perspective, or approach to your craft today?”

Scaredy Cat: I get creatively energized from my friends a lot. I adore seeing my friends be passionate about something whether it be art, hobbies or anything else. It inspires me to use my creativity also.

Amit Ahuja:  When you sit down to write, where do you usually find the inspiration for your lyrics? Are they drawn more from personal experiences, stories you hear from others, or do they come from observations of the world around you?”

Scaredy Cat: I have a little bit of everything, but generally my songs are based around personal events or experiences, though they may be (or are REQUIRED to be, even) dramatized and dressed up to be palatable and enjoyable for the listener.

Amit Ahuja:  "I’d love to dive deeper into the creative and emotional journeys behind some of your songs. Could you share the inspiration, personal stories, or themes that influenced the writing and production of tracks like I’ll See You, Scoundrel, It Was Never A phase, Landlocked, and the other tracks you have in your discography?

Scaredy Cat: A lot of my songs are just single moments put under a microscope and expanded greatly. I may write an entire song about the little flash of red you first see when you experience intense emotion, like betrayal. I might write an entire song just exploring the things you wanted to say or feel in that brief moment before getting control of yourself again. I think moments like that are fun to explore and unpack into great detail.

Amit Ahuja: If you had the incredible opportunity to open for any band or embark on a two-month tour, which artists would you be most excited to travel and perform with—and why?"

Scaredy Cat: Hot Mulligan, Spill Canvas, Lydia, Sleeping At Last, City & Colour the list goes on and on and on. These are some of my biggest influences and it would be so fun to play with and learn from them.

Amit Ahuja: What inspires you as an artist?

Scaredy Cat: Feeling anything at all.

Amit Ahuja: As an independent artist, there are so many different challenges to balance — from creating music and building a fan base to handling the business side of things on your own. What has been the hardest part for you personally to navigate in that journey, and how have you managed to work through it?”What drives your passion for creating music?

Scaredy Cat: This project is still so new that I am finding a way to neatly organize all of that still, I’ll get back to you, HAHA. As far as what drives me it’s like a balance between still wanting to make that song that speaks to someone and also a childlike curiosity to see what I am capable of making.

Amit Ahuja:  How do you keep your creativity or motivation alive?

Scaredy Cat: I just get stoked on everything. I’m so full of whimsy I am like a kid at heart, this has never been an issue for me.

Amit Ahuja:  How do you want people to feel when they encounter your work for the first time?

Scaredy Cat: I want them to feel like there’s still some authenticity left in the world.

Amit Ahuja: What insights or recommendations do you have for musicians who face rejection or experience setbacks in their careers? Specifically, how can these artists cope with disappointment and use those challenges as steppingstones for future growth?

Scaredy Cat: I think you just can’t let the numbers rule you. Make great art, put it out and don’t let your value be determined by how many people the algorithm allowed to see it. Be proud of what you made as long as you did your best and you will always be fulfilled.

Amit Ahuja: When you create music, does it feel more like a form of release, a journey of self-discovery, or a confrontation with something deeper inside you? Or a combination of all three?

Scaredy Cat: 100% it is a form of release for me, personally. I always say my music is just my audio-diary. HAHA.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a message you hope fans walk away with after listening to your music, or do you prefer to leave it open to interpretation?

Scaredy Cat: 100% prefer it to be interpreted by the listener. I would hate to rob a special song from someone because it meant something different to me than it did to them.

Amit Ahuja: I would love to hear about any exciting music you have on the horizon! What are you looking forward to the most?

Scaredy Cat: I currently have a song set to release every two weeks for the next few months, and I plan on re-doing some of my favorites for an acoustic EP very soon!

Amit Ahuja:  "Who are three individuals who have had a significant impact on your life—personally or professionally—and how have they influenced your journey?"

Scaredy Cat: My Mom. My daughter. My friends in general. My mom just fostered a very whimsical and creative environment for me growing up and taught me to always be kind of a dreamer. My daughter because she is my biggest fan and helps me be confident that I am still pretty okay at what I do. My friends because they’re supportive and most of them are great sources of inspiration!

Amit Ahuja:  What kinds of TV shows, movies, books, or podcasts do you all connect with—and what is it about them that draws you in? Is it the storytelling, character development, the themes they explore, or just the overall craft?

Scaredy Cat: I am a huge Tolkien fan. I love it because of the fantasy aspect, and I just really appreciate the careful thought put into the character and storyline development. It’s all beautifully written.

Amit Ahuja:  I'm interested in learning about your favorite bands or music artists that you're passionate about. Additionally, I'd love to hear all the details about your most memorable concert experience - the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.

Scaredy Cat: I have far too many artists that I adore to narrow it down much, but I particularly love the R&B genre, mostly from the mid 2000’s. I am a singer at heart and those are the best vocalists on Earth in my humble opinion.

Scaredy Cat: Scaredy Cat is quite new still as a project, so shows have been very few as of yet. My main focus has been building a foundation of listeners first and that has been happening slowly, but surely! Past project concerts were always fun- I used to play shows a lot and I think some of the most fun ones I had were playing with The Ready Set on several dates years ago. The energy was so fun.

Amit Ahuja: How do you define happiness in your life, and how does that connect to your vision of success?

Scaredy Cat: Happiness is fleeting. I think I just define it as feeling content with your productivity levels in whatever you're engaging in and the sense that you’re producing the best ‘product’ you’re capable of producing in any capacity.

Amit Ahuja: Are there any particular hobbies, passions, or interests outside of your involvement with music that really energize or excite you—things that you love to spend time on or that bring you a sense of purpose or joy when you're not immersed in your musical pursuits?

Scaredy Cat: Don’t make fun of me, but I am really big into fingerboarding. Yes, miniature skateboards. I skateboard in real life but as I get older it becomes harder and harder to do. Miniature skateboarding is way safer and still gives me a sense of progression in something I love!

Amit Ahuja: Can you share your personal experiences with mental health challenges? What coping strategies, tools, or support systems have helped you most? Additionally, what advice or insights would you offer to others your age who might be going through similar struggles?"

Scaredy Cat: I am not the best person to ask, but I find that writing lyrics helps to compartmentalize and organize difficult or abstract thoughts & emotions. It helps me to understand them and myself a little better!

Amit Ahuja:  What message would you share with humanity if you had the world’s attention for five minutes?

Scaredy Cat: Don’t lose your magic. That spark in your heart when you were a kid and everything was full of wonder. Hang on to that as tightly as you can.

Please visit his Linktree to support, follow, and explore his music:

https://linktr.ee/ohnoscaredycat?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafFWAYW0qN0cpjUMq4mkUgPhHJLAWw8pImdepDiRIpvTVS7R7YNklvjREMSnQ_aem_N_OCYPt5RbuFmUDhsNK1Cg

***All photos and videos are the property of Scaredy Cat, unless otherwise specified.***