Back in March, San Diego-bred artist Cailin Russo kickstarted her music career with “September Rose,” which garnered an impressive quarter-of-a-million combined streams in just one month. You may have even heard her debut single “Hierarchy” in our monthly playlist The Drop. With just two singles under her belt, the budding artist has already had a #1 track on HypeMachine, a front cover with Wonderland magazine in the UK, and is looking forward to possibly having her first official headlining show this summer.

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We got a chance to chat with Cailin about the start of her career, starring in Justin Bieber music videos, her top ten songs at the moment, and more! Check out the discussion below:

Your father Scott Russo is the frontman of the rock band of Unwritten Law. We can imagine you were surrounded by music from a very young age.

I definitely was always surrounded by music, rock and roll…and tattoos since I was born. My dad wasn’t the only one to introduce me to music at a young age, my mom also introduced me to a lot too. I would go to punk shows as a baby. Quite the bad-ass baby.

How long have you been making music, and when did you decide this is something you want to pursue?

I’ve been making music as my career for one-and-a-half years and, overall, probably six-ish year—give or take. I officially decided two years ago, and kind of half-ass decided in the two years leading up to then.

What were you up to before you started singing and songwriting?

I was in school, but I started in high school and then started modeling and then went to a continuation high school—not to pursue music—but all throughout these experiences, I heavily invested in journaling and also making little songs along the way, from like [the ages of] 16 to 19.

You played Justin Bieber’s love interest in the music video for “All That Matters” and “Confident.” How was that experience? Did you get a lot of attention from Bieber fans?

I did, I did. The experience was exactly what you’d think it was. An 18- or 19-year old girl, casted to be the lead in a Justin Bieber music video. It was quite surreal in retrospect, and great! The director and I still talk, the stylist and I still talk. Like, I made friends from the whole experience. And yes, I definitely got my share of attention from the “Beliebers.” The good, the bad, and the ugly.

You’re currently on the cover of Wonderland magazine (September 2017). How does it feel to receive so much positive feedback for your music just after releasing two singles?

It’s f—king awesome. I thought things were gonna be so under the radar—which they kinda are; I’m not blowing smoke up my ass—but the feedback has actually been incredibly positive and inspiring. It’s going down.

We heard you may be having your first headlining show this summer. Are you excited, nervous?

We’ll have to wait and see! As far as shows in the future, I’m super excited [and] nervous every time I have to get on stage. Hoping to announce dates soon!

What do you like to sing about the most in your music? What do you want your fans to hear/feel when listening to your tracks?

Honestly, I sing mostly about romance. And sex. And love. And romance. Then other things, as well [laughs]. I sing about things I miss, things I want to do, experiences I’ve had. Songs about strippers! Songs about anxiety! I just want my fans to feel good when they listen to it. If they can connect with my subjects then that’s a cherry on top.

Who are some artists you’d like to work with in the future?

Oh, man. The ever-evolving question. Like, I have certain visions with artists that I feel like we could really make flames, or people that aren’t even in the same spectrum of music that I would still love to collaborate with. For example, I would love if at some point I could do a joint project with ALT-J or, like, Jack White. Something totally rock and roll. In the more similar vein of people I would like to get in with ASAP would be Kaytranada, SZA, Mark Ronson, Tyler The Creator, and the original line-up of Danity Kane would be tight. I mean, those are obviously huge names but whatever.

When you’re not focused on music, what are some other hobbies you enjoy?

I really like exercising and drinking. Those are my two favorite activities. Also, shopping and walking my dog.

What are your top 10 songs at the moment?

Don’t laugh; I’m going through my love-for-boy-popstars moment right now and this is a real list.

What projects do you have in the works that we can look forward to hearing?

Comfort Food EP. Coming soon to a theater near you.