For V103, We Caught Up With A Medley Of Our Favorite Pop Pioneers. Here, Carly Rae Jepsen, who has just followed up her hit album 'Emotion,' with a part two

For V103, We Caught Up With A Medley Of Our Favorite Pop Pioneers. Here, Carly Rae Jepsen, who has just followed up her hit album 'Emotion,' with a part two

Who are your musical icons?

“Icons” is a big for word for me and I don’t take it lightly. Vocally, there are three women who have stood out for me: Sinéad O’Connor, Billie Holiday, and Feist. I know those are very different women but there’s something about each one that has just really struck a chord with me.

Which artists are you listening to right now?

Christine and the Queens is at the top of my list. On tour, the band boys got me into Leon Bridges. I’m really in love with [Blood Orange’s Freetown Sound], too.

My favorite part about touring would have to be…

Tour family. There’s a family feeling on tour that’s different from the family you grew up with.

How would you describe your style?

I like to keep it kind of chill, especially in studio world, where it’s become just cut-off shorts and T-shirts. When I’m on stage, I like to play with fashion and feel the theatrics of a performance. I think that gets enhanced when you’re wearing something that’s a little more wild.

Do you ever get nervous before going on stage?

I do. It’s really sporadic, though. When it does happen, it always shakes me a little, but in a good way. Oddly, I find that I perform a bit better when I’m nervous.

The best thing about being a performer is…

The connection that you get with the audience. There’s a moment for me in every performance where I feel like we’re all in it together. I think that’s why so many people are able to feel understood through music and find a subject that can create a connection like that in the room. It can be really magical.

Emotion: Side B is out now via Interscope.