Anyone with an interest in music and emerging artists is well aware of the fact that there’s a new wave of genre-bending, multi-instrumental and DIY artists about to crash on the shores of the music industry.
bloody white is our latest discovery in such a realm and his sound, aesthetics and approach to music are quite peculiar.
The 20-year old self-taught singer, songwriter and producer from Santa Barbara has been working on his craft for 10 years now. From making electronic beats to producing music in his bedroom to self-directing and editing a series of VHS home videos.
“It was really important to me that my first videos feel real and represent the small town I’m from near Santa Barbara. They had to be true to what I grew up around and look nostalgic, too, and the most honest way I could do that was by recording with my old VHS camera I got when I was 7. My friends and I shot a lot of footage together for more than a year. Small town California is the backdrop for all the videos. I’m calling them VHS home videos because that’s what they are”, he explains.
His lo-fi pop/electronic single “tongue tied” made it into Fresh Finds and Lorem playlists and has already scored over 1 million plays and today bloody releases his latest single “lies we tell” which explores the darkest side of being involved in a toxic relationship and having to get high to avoid coming to terms with pain and disappointment.
We had a chat with Bloody and dug deeper into all of the above.
You just released an EP, how is this release different from what you’ve created before?
I feel like a lot of my earlier tracks were kind of me just trying to find my sound. This EP is the first cohesive body I’ve worked on that I’ve put out and it represents a period of time in my life as a whole and definite window of time.
Tell us a bit about how you started making your specific style of music?
I think a big part of it is the music that inspired me growing up. I don’t really love any one genre more than the rest, I just like music that makes me feel something. So taking pieces of electronic music, alternative, pop, hip hop and other genres and weaving them into the instrumental and lyrics sets a different tone, I think.
What’s the story behind the EP?
A lot of the songs on the EP were written when I was still in high school, so about 2 or 3 years ago. During that time in my life I was pretty irritable and depressed. I think this EP is a sonic representation of the difficulties of my high school years.
Favorite track on the EP?
My favorite track is probably “first time”. There’s something cathartic about it when I listen to it that makes me love it a little bit more than the others
What upcoming projects do you have planned?
I have another EP coming out by the end of the year and a lot of new tracks to release all through next year.
What is it about your idols that inspires you?
I think a common theme among the people I look up to is their ability to be fearless. It sounds super cliché, but I think that’s a super admirable trait. Artists like ye or Skrillex refuse to let people tell them they can’t try some crazy shit and I love that.
Dream person to tour with?
Skrillex, hands down.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
It depends on the song, but generally I really love writing chorus vocal melodies. It’s fun as hell trying to come up with something new and catchy.
Why did you start writing music?
I originally started writing as an outlet. I had a lot of things running through my brain and needed a way to get it all out in a way that made sense to me.
Where do you want to be in the next 5 years?
My goal has always been to make enough money from music to fully support myself. If i make it there that’ll be enough for me.
What inspires your lyrics?
Usually those unfiltered visceral thoughts that I have when I’m going through something negative or positive is what I try to capture in my lyrics.
If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend them?
I would thank everybody for all that they’ve done for me and probably throw a party at the beach.
How would you like to see the music industry change as society seems to be changing and restructuring?
With any business the goal is to maximize profits without regard for much else, and the industry is one big business. I’d love to see more consideration for the artists, because the way labels exploit them currently is pretty gross.
Advice to aspiring artists?
I’d say just put stuff out.I feel like a lot of artists just starting out on soundcloud are scared to release their first songs. Other artists are our own worst critics, and I think if you work hard on a song you’ll be surprised at how people would actually notice.
What is a social cause you can get behind?
I fucking love animals, and i hate seeing people treat them poorly, so really anything against animal cruelty.
Favorite sex position
Missionary is SO underrated!
Listen to “lies we tell” HERE
