Colleen Welsch is a singer/songwriter/music producer based in Cleveland, Ohio. She describes herself as a “Kirkland Brand Taylor Swift” and her music as “spinster pop”. Her dream is to travel through time and perform at Lilith Fair.
“Temporary Thing” brilliantly reimagines classic 70s soft rock for the modern era, painting an evocative picture of the complexities of modern romance. Colleen’s voice is reminiscent of a young Carole King as she details the emotional consequences of a “friends with benefits” situation.
Welsch is not the first artist on here to cite ABBA as in influence — much to my surprise. But it makes sense, since Welsch has made an art of heartache and catchy melodies, much like her idols. “Temporary Thing” is a fun time, a bittersweet time, and makes me excited for what’s to come from Welsch.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I listen to a lot of old stuff, especially from the 70s: ABBA, Carpenters, Eagles, Neil Young. I grew up in the 90s and 2000s, and I think a lot of that stuff also comes through. For example, Sheryl Crow was the first musician I ever really wanted to be. Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline were also big childhood favorites. And for whatever reason, my seventh-grade obsession with Weezer often shows up in my music. In “Temporary Thing”, it comes through on the crunchy guitar solo.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
“The Winner Takes It All” by ABBA. It’s so sad, so beautiful, and so goddamn catchy. I also love how the melody perfectly complements Agnetha Fältskog’s voice. I wish I could write a melody like that! I think the first time I heard this song I listened to it 20 songs in a row. That’s a perfect song.
Explain the title of your song.
I wrote this song about a friends-with-benefits situation where I caught feelings. When we first connected, he told me that he was planning to move and that whatever was between would be a “temporary thing”. He communicated that clearly to me, but did I listen? Nope.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
The first song I ever wrote was called “Walkin’ Around”. I wrote it with my cousin for my first “band”, the Kung Fu Babies. We mostly made up choreographed dances in my parents’ garage to Spice Girls songs. But we had a few originals that we recorded, including “Walkin’ Around.” I think it was about hurting your leg in gym class and then realizing you’re depressed. I was a melancholy child.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
I usually start with a simple chord structure on the guitar. Usually, if I keep strumming, I can “hear” the words, and the song comes in more or less fully formed.