Parris Mitchell is a New York singer-songwriter crafting catchy pop music with a passion for his vocals. Parris found his love for writing music by doing musical theater growing up and touring with his former band. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the ongoing pandemic put a halt on touring which gave Parris the opportunity to delve into a solo career.
After releasing his first single, “specifically u,” in December of 2020, the EP had over 200k streams on Spotify within a year, leading to Parris getting signed by his first record label, Ninetone. Singles off the EP were praised as “a solid indie-pop anthem” and “a must-have for any of your breakup playlists.”
What’s your story as an artist?
I never considered myself a musician. Even now I feel imposter syndrome sometimes with it. I didn’t do band in school, I can’t read or write out music, I never won any awards. I always thought you needed to do and have all those things to consider yourself a musician. It wasn’t until I started writing music back in 2015 that I even thought of pursuing music. But it took over, completely. I pursued musical theater most my life but the thrill of performing my own words, my own music. It was a high that I’ve been chasing ever since. Now it’s all I can ever think about. I try and approach pop music with music that dives into themes of loneliness, confidence, and everything in between.
What inspired this last release?
I was in a place where I felt that others’ standards for me were impractical, leaving me to feel inadequate. I channeled that feeling into this song. That you shouldn’t expect perfection and you shouldn’t put up with people who do.
Do you get inspired by other art forms?
Almost always, yeah. Dance and paintings in particular. I also really live theater.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?
I recorded most if not all of the song completely pant-less because it was all done in my room.
What’s your favorite place or environment to write?
I really enjoy writing on trains, I think I get my best ideas during my weekly commutes. Something about being in the middle of where you were and where you will be makes me feel like I left time briefly. That there’s no outside or responsibility so my mind is free to wander to its peak and then some.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
I have a few but one that sticks out in regards to shaping some of my creativity is Ever After by Marianas Trench. I had never heard anything like it at the time. It opened up a whole new set of ideas for me, rules you could break and methods to expand on. There’s really nothing like it.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
I think I’m just always drawing influence and inspiration from artists I love and new ones I’m just discovering. The song is the most important thing to me, a great song is a great song. Whatever has me stop in my tracks when I hear it. Lately for me it’s been Great Good Ok Fine and Hotel Apache. They’re vibes seem to fill in the days listening.
