An atmospheric indie folk-pop journey through temptation, vulnerability, and emotional awakening.
Toronto-based artist First Robin, the musical project of singer-songwriter Alexandra Sullivan, is stepping confidently into a new era with the release of her sophomore single, “Siren Song.” Blending indie folk textures with subtle pop sensibilities, the track showcases Sullivan’s gift for transforming deeply personal emotions into universal experiences. Following a creative hiatus, First Robin emerges with renewed clarity, delivering evocative storytelling, atmospheric production, and captivating melodic hooks that linger long after the song ends.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello readers! I am First Robin, an independent singer-songwriter based in Toronto. My government name is Alexandra Sullivan, which I performed under for years. I wrote a blog piece about my First Robin namesake if anyone is interested in knowing.
After taking a multi-year hiatus from music, what inspired you to return with First Robin, and how did that time away shape your songwriting?
Although I may not have been aware of it at the time, that hiatus represented an intense reckoning and re-examining of myself as a creative. The actual launch of First Robin was inspired by a whirlwind of change in my life: Settling into a new decade, a new city, a new home, quitting alcohol, and undergoing a major surgery. I think at its core my time away gave me just that, time. I had time to process, grow, and reflect. Now, everything from my songwriting to my brand to my actual character are more mature, intentional, and meaningful.
“Siren Song” explores the tension between seduction and destruction. What initially sparked the concept behind the track?
Unfortunately, I am a very self-aware person. And I say unfortunately because awareness does not always equal capacity to act. A lot of the time, it’s kind of like I can see the car headed towards the cliff in my mind but I don’t know how to stop it. So, Siren Song is about that to certain extent: I could feel myself falling for someone who I knew was not good for me. Part of me didn’t know how to stop it, and part of me didn’t want to. Once I thought of the lyric/idea about “getting sucked into” someone, all these other metaphorical possibilities started to pop up like storm chasers, the phenomenon of harmonizing tornado sirens, and imagery from my favourite movie Twister (1996).
Your sound blends indie, folk, and subtle pop influences. Which artists or albums have had the biggest impact on shaping First Robin’s identity?
This is a really hard question because I think every song I’ve ever heard or poem I’ve ever read have influenced me in some way. In terms of sound, I am really leaning into ambient complexity and cinematic, modern drive with First Robin, taking influence from artists like Bon Iver, Pheobe Bridgers, and Florence and the Machine. In terms of actual songwriting, I am always partial to the folk poets and the balladeers. There’s a certain kind of magic in writing brutally honest, specific narratives that can also be universally understood.
What was it like collaborating with award-winning producer Joel Schwartz on “Siren Song”? How did he help bring the track to life?
Working with Joel has been a privilege and a pleasure. He helped bring my debut single
“Spider Veins” to life as well, and we have one more song coming soon to close off this trilogy of singles. He is a beyond talented musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, mixer, and screen composer. I think that last one was super important for our working relationship, because I tend to communicate my creative visions in grandiose and dramatic terms, like scenes from a movie. So, he just gets it and is able to help me transform those lofty ideas into tangible tracks. I got very lucky.
With this being only your sophomore single, how do you see the First Robin project evolving moving forward?
Like I said, I have one more single coming soon to close off this debut trilogy of songs. I have a long list of high hopes and dreams, but next up is to start performing live more and get as many ears as possible on my music. I am always writing and scheming these days, so the rest will come to light soon but I’m definitely shooting for the stars.