Photo Credit: Dillon Matthew
Aidan Bissett is back with an infectious new summer bop, “Stay High.” As a relationship ends, he yearns for a carefree escape – “I don’t wanna feel I just want to fly…We can party all night all night.” Download / stream “So High” HERE. After teasing the song on TikTok and Instagram last week, he shared the official video today. Directed by Dillon Matthew (Conan Gray), the clip finds Bissett high atop a cliff, overlooking the ocean. Alone and unobserved, he performs the song with abandon, exulting in the summer sun and a sense of freedom.
Born in Florida, Bissett was raised on classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. He moved to Oregon with his family when he was five and started playing electric guitar in second grade. By the time his family moved back to Florida, he was a teen. Enamored with indie rock, he began teaching himself to produce his own music. Channeling the pressures, anxieties and wildly heightened emotions of adolescence into songs, Bissett has forged a high-energy breed of indie-pop built on his shimmering guitar work, heart-on-sleeve sincerity and self-effacing humor.
What inspired your debut track?
When writing ‘So High’ I was actually in a big writing slump. I had taken a lot of time off to focus on finishing high school so it started very differently from how it turned out. At first ‘So High’ was a chill Joji type song that was created at around three in the morning. Obviously, in the end it turned into a fun summer bop that anyone can scream too. It was really cool to watch it blossom into something completely different.
What was the part you enjoyed the most about bringing this tune to life?
I loved working with other producers and seeing their take on the song. Allowing other producers to take a shot at the song showed me a bunch of new sounds and avenues the song could take on. I loved being exposed to that.
What is the main theme and message of the track?
The theme of this song was me telling the world that I’m okay with dancing/being on my own because I felt like my life was finally going right. When listening to this track I want people to feel the same way in that it’s okay to dance alone because we are okay on our own.
How do visuals and aesthetics relate to your music, especially since you drop your single alongside a video?
Visuals are super important to me along with my songs. It allows me to express myself in a completely different way. Creating a visual that goes along with the song brings the song to life. I try to capture all of the emotions from the song in the videos so people can see how I truly feel when writing the songs. It allows me to connect with the listeners on a more personal level.
What is next for you/what are you planning for this year? Any new music in the making?
THERE IS SO MUCH MUSIC COMING! All the songs I am getting ready to release keep improving upon themselves. They keep getting better and better which is an amazing feeling. It’s so cool seeing how my sound has grown with all the new music. OH AND THERE’S MERCH TOO! So there is a ton of new stuff coming.
What inspires your writing and storytelling?
I love telling stories! Sometimes the songs I write are not about me, but about scenarios I’ve played out in my head. Other times I may be going through some crazy emotions that I then channel into music, so it really depends on what I’m feeling that day. I also find inspiration in the music I listen to. I try to implement cool sounds from artists that I like and combine it with my own sound.
How well do you feel your debut single represents your act?
I feel like this single captures all the upbeat vibes that I love. I am obsessed with songs you can scream and dance to. When performing live I hope people will be jumping up and down losing themselves in the music. ‘So High’ gives me those vibes with all the crazy big instruments that are blasting.
What are some of your dream collaborations?
I would love to collaborate with artists like Role Model, Wallows, Coin, Tame Impala, or Remi Wolf. All of those artists are so incredibly inspiring to me and I would be honored to work with them!
What are you trying to communicate with your music?
I am trying to show a glimpse of what teenage life looks like. I feel like it was always hard to express my feelings growing up and I know there are a lot of other kids who feel the same way. So I hope some people can express their feelings along with me with these songs!