IAN SWEET is reclaiming her storied identity

Original Photography by Michael Tyrone Delaney IAN SWEET’S Jilian Medford long embraced the “sad indie darling” archetype that tore through social media and college radio playlists. What was once a way for tortured artists and their fans to process their feelings calcified into a profitable subculture at the hands of the same platforms that made us feel like shit in the first place. For Medford, letting anguish define her became a reflex to process her emotions, and sometimes to shield herself from them. This approach ultimately warped her songwriting and, most importantly, her ability to process and compartmentalize the human experience.The painful lyrics always came from a place of honesty, but over time, they didn’t tell the whole truth. Some days remind us of the indomitable human spirit; on others, it’s impossible to get out of bed. Over time, Medford increasingly struggled to distinguish between herself and her creative persona. Shiverstruck gently reminds her that if she can feel sadness so deeply, she can feel levity to that same extent. Vulnerable, truthful songwriting doesn’t inherently require despair.While Medford can’t fathom writing songs without pouring her heart int...