Billie Eilish's rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. From her soft, whispery voice that first captivated audiences to her recent Grammy-nominated album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, she has continuously pushed boundaries and evolved as an artist. In this article, we delve into the various aspects of her career, from her early days with her brother Finneas to her current stage presence and songwriting process.

Unveiling Billie Eilish's Musical Evolution

Early Days and Debut Album

When Billie Eilish first emerged on the music scene as a teenager, her unique voice left an indelible mark. Her 2019 debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?, produced by her brother Finneas O’Connell, achieved great success, winning Grammys for best record, album, song, and new artist. Billie herself had certain expectations about her voice at that time, believing it would remain soft with a limited range. But as time passed, she embarked on a journey of growth and improvement.Two years ago, Billie began working with a music teacher, a decision that would prove to be life-changing. "It has honestly changed my life," she said. "My voice has just gotten 10 times better in the last two years. … I didn't really know before I started working with a teacher again that you can always get better and you can train."

Collaboration with Finneas

Billie and Finneas have been writing songs and recording together since she was 13, and he was 18. During those early years, homeschooling played a significant role in their lives, and songwriting became an integral part of their curriculum. "Our mom had us go home and watch something on TV or read something and just write down any interesting words that we see, or an interesting sentence and then … try to make a song out of what [we] wrote," Billie explained.For Finneas, making music with his younger sister meant he always had a "guinea pig" available. "I was an amateur producer trying my best to record anyone. Billie, as a 13 year old who’d basically never sung into a microphone at all, obliged. And it was kind of a good match," he said.Their collaboration has continued to thrive over the years, with seven top-10 hits and several Grammys to their name. They are still partners, constantly finding new ways to push and support each other.

Stage Presence and Inspiration

Billie's stage presence has undergone a significant transformation. She initially felt envious of male performers who could take their shirts off on stage and have a carefree energy. This led her to be determined to prove that she could also have a powerful stage presence without the need for backup dancers or a huge stage production. "I think a lot of women go through the feeling of just envying men in … one way or the other. And for me, I would watch videos of different male performers on stage and just feel this, like, deep sadness in my body that I’ll never be able to take my shirt off on stage and run around and like, not try very hard and just jump around on stage and that’s enough and have enough energy from just myself with no backup dancers and no huge stage production and the crowd will still love me. And only a man can do that. And because of that, I think more than almost anything else in my career, I was very, very, very determined to kind of prove that thought wrong — and I really did. I really feel like I did. I didn't like the kind of pop-girl leotard, backup dancers, hair done thing. I didn't like that, for me. I liked it for other people, but that didn't resonate with me. I never saw myself in those people. And honestly, I never saw myself in any women that I saw on stage, but I did see myself in the men that I saw on stage, and I thought that was unfair. And so I did everything that I could to kind of try to break that within myself and the industry," she shared.Her baggy clothes were also inspired by men in hip-hop. "I would watch [hip-hop] videos and instead of being jealous of the women who get to be around the hot men, I would be jealous of the hot men. And I wanted to be them and I wanted to dress like them and I wanted to be able to act like them," she said.

Family Support and Songwriting

Family support has been crucial in Billie's career. Finneas recalled making music with Billie in his bedroom and receiving positive reinforcement from her. "I was making music with Billie in my bedroom and trying my best. And [Billie] was kind about it. She was like, ‘I like that.’ She liked the songs I was writing. She liked ‘Ocean Eyes,’ I think that I got so much positive reinforcement when I really needed it, you know?" he said.Billie also emphasized the importance of giving oneself permission to write a bad song. "Something that I think has always helped in songwriting, is giving yourself permission to write a bad song, because the more you do it, the better you get. … I think that sometimes you have this high expectation for yourself and you’re like, ‘No, no, no, it has to be really good.’ But you can’t just sit down and make something perfect immediately every time you have to try and fail. And that was something that was really hard for me. I’m not good at patience and I’m not good at not being good at something until I am. I want to be really good immediately. Something that helped me a lot is just allowing myself to not be amazing and just make something to make it and not worry if it’s good," she said.

Validation from Fans

Billie values the validation she receives from her fans. "My favorite is when we put a song out people are like, ‘How did she know I was feeling this? Where is she hiding in my room … to write this song that’s exactly my life?’ I think that’s like one of the most magical parts about music. And I’ve had that as a fan, too. And Finneas has too. You hear a song and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is exactly my situation. How could that be?’ But it’s just that it can be because we’re just all suffering together — and it’s nice to know that you’re not alone in that," she said.In conclusion, Billie Eilish's musical journey is a testament to her talent, determination, and growth. Through her collaborations with Finneas, her stage presence, and her songwriting, she has made a significant impact on the music industry and continues to inspire fans around the world.