Interview: Scarlett Macfarlane Blurs Fantasy and Reality on Energetic Alt-Pop Single “Winter’s Whisper”

New York’s Scarlett Macfarlane returns with “Winter’s Whisper,” a fun, energetic, and delightfully zany alternative-pop single that invites listeners into a world where fantasy and reality blur. Inspired initially by the image of a magical winter walk, the song quickly evolved into something far more surreal and became a reflection on how life itself often feels stranger than fiction.

“I wrote ‘Winter’s Whisper’ based on just the title and how magical a walk in a winter ‘wonderland’ could be,” Macfarlane explains. “Then words like ‘magic’ and ‘wonderland’ took me down a not-so-proverbial rabbit hole.” Drawing inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s iconic prose, the song shifted perspective, becoming a commentary on the bizarre, confusing, dangerous, and incredible nature of reality itself. “This world, life itself, is filled with fantasy,” she says. “It can be all at once transformed by the cast of characters you encounter throughout your own zany story.”

True to its theme, the song embraces duality. The title reflects the idea that every story has more than one side and that mystery is an inescapable part of understanding the world. Musically, “Winter’s Whisper” stands out through its unexpected fusion of pop melodies with an almost rockabilly, off-kilter energy. “I think the use of an almost zany rockabilly feel in a pop track really makes this song stand out,” Macfarlane notes. “It’s just fun to listen to.”

The songwriting process became a creative puzzle, weaving familiar fragments of Alice in Wonderland into a new and personal narrative. “I basically got to stitch tiny moments from a very famous childhood story into my own interpretation of Wonderland,” she says. “It was like solving a puzzle and making the pieces fit in a way they weren’t meant to in order to make my own image.”

Production choices further amplify the song’s playful surrealism. Eerie, almost Halloween-like synth textures add character, while layered vocals recorded in a call-and-response style (subtly panned left and right) create a sense of dialogue, particularly noticeable in the bridge.

Above all else, “Winter’s Whisper” is impossible to sit still through. “I’ve tried,” Macfarlane laughs. “I can’t. I haven’t met anyone who can.”

1. What did you enjoy most about the creation of this new release?

I was the kid who’s favorite past time was doodling quotes and lyrics everywhere, sometimes even on my body with gel pens. So my favorite part of writing this song was interweaving direct quotes from Lewis Carrol’s “Alice in Wonderland” into my own story and spinning those words into a pop song to give them a new meaning interpretation. It felt like hiding little nerdy inside jokes in my song for fellow literary friends to find. 

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.

When life becomes overwhelming figure out what you CAN do. Don’t focus on the things that you can’t do, rather start chipping away at the pieces that you CAN do something about. I used to get paralyzed by overwhelm so redirecting myself to focus on what was doable, instead of all the things that felt unattainable, really makes it all feel more manageable.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?

It’s impossible to pick just one, I have so many from so many genres of music! If I could tour with Imagine Dragons or Florence + The Machine, I feel like their fans would also resonate with my songs because of the combo of high drama and meaningful messaging. Also Hozier or HAIM maybe? P!nk would also be insane, like that would be amazing. I’d love to do a festival with artists like Jewel or Alanis Morrisette or Sheryl Crow. In order to answer this question I also just recently looked at some new artists featured on Groundsound’s page and Lauren Minear’s song “Perfect Girl” is awesome! I’d totally be down to tour with her!

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?

To me, it feels like my music is unapologetically not limited to any one genre which immediately sets it apart. While I classify it as pop, it dabbles in so many other spaces. I also think my music is VERY lyrics forward which in the pop space is not always the case. I gave myself time to have something I wanted to say as an artist and it shows in my words.

5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.

In case you hadn’t noticed, I have decision anxiety so I’m gonna give you 3. Myles Smith’s “My Home”, Amy Macdonald’s “This is the Life”, and HAIM’s “The Wire” are all in heavy rotation at the moment. Oh, I also love the “Ordinary” by Alex Warren just like everyone else. See, I couldn’t even keep it to three, haha!