How did you get into music and what has the journey as an artist been like so far for you?
I was an uncontrollable child for the first few years of my life, I think. I’d be sprinting in circles, and throwing myself around and I don’t think my parents knew what to do with me. They bought me a drum set when I was 4 or 5 and let me get my energy out there. My mom says they would leave the house when I was practicing. Rude, right? I was creating some of my best work at that time!
I kept up with drums through high school while adding guitar, piano and bass to my repertoire during my younger years. Songwriting came during my teens when I got my first copy of Pro Tools, and progressively got more and more serious as time went on.
I spent years dedicating all my time to growing as an artist and producer and decided not to release music until I felt I was ready. So far the journey has been a dream. Having my thoughts and feelings resonate with people around the world has been incredible. You know that thing in James Cameron’s masterpieceAvatar, where everyone’s connected to some type of forest floor network thing and they can feel what others feel? That’s sort of what it feels like to me. I get to hear stories and share feelings with people I’ve never met and might never meet all the time. It’s incredibly special.
STREAM TEH EP HERE https://bfan.link/talk-to-me
What was the most important message you wanted to convey with your debut body of work?
I think TALK to Me is a love letter to myself. There’s a lot of feelings-based songs and it was written at a time of uncertainty in my life. I’ve always written as a form of therapy for myself to process things I can’t understand and this project is no different. Wanting to run away to a different planet cause I don’t feel I belong or yelling how long in my bedroom when I feel impatient, are things that really happened. I guess the message is: take a breath. Everything is going to work out. You are exactly where you need to be. Don’t worry so much and finally love yourself.
Favorite track on the record and why?
The impossible question. I think I love each track in a different way. Each one represents a different feeling or time in my life, or different part of my personality. If I have to pick one, I think the most important song is “Run Away to Mars.” I feel like everyone on this planet has felt the need to escape before and the amount of love and beauty brought into my life because of that song makes it so, so special to me.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the album?
I made this record predominantly with my co-producer, guitar player and one of my best friends Connor Riddell. He says a lot of funny things, but one stands out.
We grew up together in a town outside of Ottawa, Ontario in Canada. We played for a solo country artist when we were teenagers. I played bass in that band and I must’ve sucked because while recording these songs remotely he asked me, “Who’s playing bass on these?” I responded, “Me.” He says “Oh I didn’t know you played bass.” I said “We toured for 3 years together where I only played bass……….” There was silence. Then he started laughing hysterically and saying “Holy sh*t dude I’m so sorry. I completely forgot.” Safe to say I haven’t let that go to this day, and I will bring it up constantly until the day I die.
What are the dynamics within you and your band and collaborators? Who writes the lyrics, who’s in charge of arranging the tunes etc? What is that creative process like for you?
Most of my best ideas come to me when I’m not thinking about music at all. I tend to say very random and ridiculous things on a daily basis so there is no shortage of unusual but great inspiration.
Then I’ll start writing and arranging the full songs. Sometimes I fully produce them out, sometimes I leave it for someone else, it’s an ever changing formula. For lyrics I would say I wrote 90% of everything you’ll hear on the EP. Usually I’ll bring a friend in to edit my lyrics if I don’t feel confident in them but the majority of the songs on this project are only my lyrics.
Once I get the idea down, I pass it to my partner in crime Connor Riddell and he usually replaces my guitars and adds drums and other stuff he hears. The combination of his work and mine is what brings these songs to life.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace. That Foo Fighters album taught me so much about song arrangement and production. A lot of my songs start in one place and take you somewhere different by the end and I love that. Dave Grohl does that incredibly well and will always be an inspiration to me.
Who is an artist or band you look up to these days?
I’ve always looked up to Coldplay and specifically Chris Martin. He’s my idol. Not only have they produced constant hits for decades, but Chris’s attitude is one of the most amazing things about him. He taught me so much about love for others and positivity. I carry his mentality with me everywhere I go. I credit him with inspiring me to be who I am today and for helping me believe in myself.
Billy Strings is another act that I absolutely adore. He’s finally getting the mainstream love and appreciation he’s been due for a long time. A creative genius and an unbelievable talent.
Any future projects?
I’m deep into my next project as we speak. I have so much to say and tell the world and 3 years worth of songs I’m ready for the world to hear. I’ve been so energized by the messages and love that’s been shared with me from around the world. People seem to really love what I do as much as I do. I‘ve always been my number one fan and I don’t plan on that ever changing.
What does music mean to you?
It’s cliche, but everything. I don’t have a backup plan. This is, and always has been my dream. I’m able to wake up with a smile on my face knowing I do what I love. I’ve tasted the bitter side of life and I don’t want to ever again. This is who I’m meant to be and what I’m meant to do.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
Recipe for TALK:
1 1/2 Cups of Freddie Mercury
1 Cup of Coldplay
¾ of a Cup Chris Cornell
2 Tablespoons of Sex, drugs and rock and roll
1 Large bag of sequins
A handful of flowers from Laurel Canyon
And a whole lot of love
