Cari Fletcher, better known by her musical pseudonym FLETCHER, is ready to be the girl of her own dreams.
After making a stop in Toronto on her viral tour in support of her recent album, the “Becky’s So Hot” singer took the time to chat with us about vulnerability, self-love and her loyal fanbase.
From the moment she started out as an artist, FLETCHER has always been unapologetically herself. Drawing on influences like Madonna, Harry Styles, Britney Spears, Celine Dion and Miley Cyrus, FLETCHER still finds a way to blend the genres she loves into a sound that’s completely her own.
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She came out early on in her career, singing and speaking about her sexuality as far back as 2017. More recently the singer-songwriter revealed that – if she has to identify with a label – it would be “queer.” But at her core, FLETCHER doesn’t need a label. She just wants to own who she is by providing herself with everything she needs.
[It’s about] realizing that I do not need to be dependent on another person or seek validation and love from external sources.
Girl of My Dreams is all about self-love
You can really hear that theme on the album, Girl of My Dreams. When I asked about her unmatched sense of vulnerability and how navigating queer relationships influenced her songwriting, FLETCHER explained that the new record is all about finding love and empowerment in herself instead of in another person.
“The album picks up where my last project The S(ex) Tapes left off,” she revealed. “So we enter Girl Of My Dreams with bitterness, sadness, self-sabotage and heartbreak…. but it builds into self-discovery, self-empowerment and self-love. [It’s about] realizing that I do not need to be dependent on another person or seek validation and love from external sources. I can provide it to myself and be the girl of my own dreams.”
That theme of pursuing self-love permeates each and every song on the album. Having a devoted fanbase that’s largely made up of young, LGBTQ2S+ people in the midst of learning to love their own identities, FLETCHER understands the importance of championing empowerment and pride.
“I just like to be authentic,” she continues. “[To] share specific stories and honest feelings… even those that are fleeting. I like to depict the entire spectrum of human emotion and the nuance of it all. The beautiful, the bad and the ugly. All of it. For the last couple of years, I’ve been on a true healing journey and [I’ve] been both prioritizing and creating space for self-love vs. anything else.”
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Touring has sent FLETCHER on a sonic journey
While FLETCHER’s journey has been an emotional one, as she creates more space for her nuanced self, you can also hear the ways that her sound has transformed since she first started as a musician.
“I’ve been touring a lot,” she explains. “In 2022 alone, I’ve done four tours across the world. It’s been amazing to hear the fans sing back my music and to see in real-time the energy and what truly resonates. My live show has really influenced my writing style and the new music I’m making. It’s a lot of guitars and percussion – super high energy.”
When she’s out on tour, FLETCHER is moved by the vivaciousness of her fans, affectionately dubbed the “Fletch Fam.”
“The energy is insane, she asserts. “The fans are insane. I’m so grateful for the Fletch Fam. It’s been so special to me to hear this record, in particular, being sung back to me on the road – especially moments like ‘For Cari,’ ‘Girl Of My Dreams,’ ‘I Think I’m Growing?’ and ‘I Love You Bitch.’”
It might be controversial to say, but I will always continue to uphold myself to that standard of total honesty in my songwriting
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How does FLETCHER feel about the virality of “Becky’s So Hot?”
Of course, a standout for fans is “Becky’s So Hot,” which sparked TikTok drama with her ex, Shannon Beveridge, according to Nylon. Two years after their breakup, Beveridge started dating Becky Missal, and after seeing a photograph of the two of them online, FLETCHER came up with “Becky’s So Hot.” Despite having fans sitting on the edge of their seats as the song broke out online, FLETCHER explains that it was never about the drama.
“Releasing this song wasn’t about drama or forced virality for me – this was an honest feeling that I wanted to represent in my journey of growth. It might be controversial to say, but I will always continue to uphold myself to that standard of total honesty in my songwriting,” she says.
“It’s been really cool to hear the fans screaming this one back to me on the road. The song isn’t about tearing down another girl, but rather surrendering to the feelings of both jealousy and admiration because two things can be true at once, and something I was feeling at the time.”
With complete and total honesty lying at the core of her songwriting, you’d think that it would take a while for new music to be on the way, but FLETCHER is already gearing up for a fresh release.
“I have a deluxe version of the record coming on 11/18, and a few more musical surprises on the way. 2023, I’ll be bringing Girl Of My Dreams on tour around the world!”
