Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
I’m such a go with the flow kind of guy it’s hard to really trace it back. But I guess that’s the answer for me. I’ve followed my passions wherever they take me. I listen to what the universe offers me and then I try to hop on board and ride the wave. Not to say I haven’t worked hard along the way, but a lot of it for me has been identifying opportunities and trying to leave myself open for whatever else can come next.
How would you describe the highs and lows of being an artist?
Extreme. I mean really it’s as simple as that. I think everyone has heard that this lifestyle is a roller coaster and let me tell you, the rumors are true. Like when you step off stage after a killer show, it feels like you’re floating through space. It’s the greatest feeling in the world. But there are certainly lots of lows to keep you grounded as well. Frustrations, rejections, elusive opportunities…you name it.
What’s a musical guilty pleasure of yours?
Well, first of all, I do kind of reject the idea of a “guilty” pleasure in general. Music and art are subjective…so if you’re lucky enough to find something that makes you feel good or speaks to you, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. But, I know where you’re coming from here, and I’ll answer it in the way that, I think something people would be surprised about is that I geek out realllly hard on old school Katy Perry. Like, GEEK OUT.
What are some sources of inspiration for you?
I draw a ton of inspiration from the community of artists that I’m surrounded by. A number of artists that I came up with are doing incredible things and putting out music that really floors me and motivates me to make the most out of my own music. People always focus on the individuality of an artist or a writer, but it really does take a village. It takes these social connections and support groups to create the kind of music and art that last.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
There are a ton of artists that are doing incredible stuff these days. But you’re asking me on a day that I just really dug in on the new Billie Eilish record…and it’s hard not to say her. I think her music and what she is writing about is really inspiring and the way she has handled her image and it has always felt entirely authentic. She’s really a big inspiration.
Favorite activity to blow off some steam?
Recently I’ve been playing a lot of pickleball. It’s like mini-tennis. It gets me back in touch with my competitive side that I kind of abandoned when I gave up competitive sports after high school. But it feels amazing for me to get out there for 2-3 hours and just run around and remember what it feels like to get in touch with that killer instinct and need to win, that I don’t hang out with too much in my day-to-day life. On the flip side, I also love to go get cheapo massages to help clear my mind when things start getting too noisy inside my head. So I go both ways.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
My newest song, “Hotel Suite” is literally a love-letter to the transformative and restorative powers of a hotel room. For me, they signify a break from the norm, there is anonymity in their standardization, they literally let you be whoever you want to be…even if only for a night. I wrote this song, with my dear friend Brooke Jenkins, about exactly that. When life gets you down, sometimes you just need to get away, or be someone else for a night. Forget your worries and live in this place where you can be whoever you want to be. It doesn’t matter if it’s the ritz carlton or the motel 6…you can check in to check out.
What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks?
Oh this is a big one. A constant struggle for everyone and artists especially. It’s something I’m working on and if you have any tips, please let me know. But I’ve found one of the best things that I can do is talk to a friend, or a loved one, remember who you are, and treat yourself with kindness. So much of the time I think it’s easy to shame yourself for having these feelings or being blocked creatively….but it’s natural. We have to remind ourselves that these feelings will pass and that they do not define us.
What’s the future looking like for you?
Wow I wish I knew. I’m just trying to get through next week let alone embracing the meta “future.” But I think, or hope, it will be a lot of the same. More music, more video, more concerts. I just want to make sure that I continue to fill my world and the world around me with art that I believe in and that I hope resonates with people and enriches their lives in some way.
What inspires your visuals, videos, looks etc?
Each one of my visual projects I take on a case by case basis. Like I said, I’m a go with the flow kind of person, so I try not to force myself or my art into any one box. I like to be able to hop from genre to genre and look to look. So when we’re working on something visual to accompany the music, we always start with the music first and make sure that the visual matches. So I guess the song inspires the symbols.
What is the most embarrassing memory and most proud moment of your career so far ?
I mean I’ve had a horrifying vocal crack on National TV…so that’s gotta be one of the more embarrassing ones. That instantly comes to mind. As for the proudest, honestly, it always seems to be the most recent or the “what’s next” moments for me. My last show, before the pandemic, very much felt like a top moment for me. The whole crowd singing along, having a big horn section up on stage, debuting new music…it all felt right. But also, being in the studio listening to my band lay down some takes on a new song that will be out next year got me tearing up and filled with pride. So, I think for me, it’s always whatever I did last. Because it’s more than just one thing…it’s the sum of everything it has taken to get you there in the first place.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Just be yourself. It’s sooo cliche for a reason. I can’t even go into it more than that. Just, be yourself.
Where do you think the music and entertainment industry is headed after this past year?
Another unanswerable question. You’re really bringing the heat with these. It’s so hard to see what life will be like after this past year. I know I’m still trying to figure out who I am in the wake of it all. But I think the industry will reflect that. I think it will continue to diversify and create niche communities and have a million billion different ways of connecting artists with their audiences and fans. Our world is constantly being pushed to find new ways to connect and I think the industry will follow suit.
