We had the pleasure of interviewing Finn Matthews over Zoom video! Please share while we are #togetherathome 🏠 His new music video “Into The Open” is one to check out! https://youtu.be/J-XNHSMZTWM “Finn's career started when he found a mentor in Elijah Blake, who has penned hits for artists like Rihanna, Usher and Rick Ross. Blake was floored by Finn's delicate, yet soulful falsetto voice. At 16, Finn moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles to pursue music fulltime. Soon after, he received a development deal w/ Live Nation and released his first single and music video for the song "Julia" which hit over 1.2 million views on Youtube. But Finn wasn't content to just stay in his lane as a pop vocalist. He honed his skills as a guitarist, writer and producer. And as Finn matured, so did his sound. Now, with his debut album, Sunny Daze, which he wrote and produced), Finn presents a blend ofvibey, bedroom pop rooted in R&B and marked by his signature vocal. Comparisons like Daniel Caesar or Jon Bellion come to mind. But, like his voice, this is a unique sound that is entirely Finn.” We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com www.BringinitBackwards.com https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/bringin-it-backwards-podcast/ #podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom
We had the pleasure of interviewing Finn Matthews over Zoom video!
Please share while we are #togetherathome 🏠
His new music video “Into The Open” is one to check out! https://youtu.be/J-XNHSMZTWM
“Finn's career started when he found a mentor in Elijah Blake, who has penned hits for artists like Rihanna, Usher and Rick Ross. Blake was floored by Finn's delicate, yet soulful falsetto voice.
At 16, Finn moved from New Jersey to Los Angeles to pursue music fulltime. Soon after, he received a development deal w/ Live Nation and released his first single and music video for the song "Julia" which hit over 1.2 million views on Youtube.
But Finn wasn't content to just stay in his lane as a pop vocalist. He honed his skills as a guitarist, writer and producer. And as Finn matured, so did his sound.
Now, with his debut album, Sunny Daze, which he wrote and produced), Finn presents a blend ofvibey, bedroom pop rooted in R&B and marked by his signature vocal. Comparisons like Daniel Caesar or Jon Bellion come to mind. But, like his voice, this is a unique sound that is entirely Finn.”
We want to hear from you! Please email Tera@BringinitBackwards.com
www.BringinitBackwards.com
https://americansongwriter.com/american-songwriter-podcast-network/bringin-it-backwards-podcast/
#podcast #interview #bringinbackpod #foryou #foryoupage #stayhome #togetherathome #zoom
0 (0s):
1 (26s):
And together with the American song writer, we had a chance to talk to Finn Matthews Adam was able to talk to him over Zoom video and check out His new music video into the Open. It's awesome. And while you're on YouTube, we could check out the video version of this interview at bringing in it Backwards. You can also find it on a Facebook as well as bringing it Backwards and follow us on Instagram and Twitter at Bringin back pod. Follow us. Please were bringing it Backwards with Finn Matthews dope. How are you? Good. Tried to make the most of the quarantine But yeah, dude, totally.
1 (1m 6s):
I feel you on that. And where are you in, in the world? Uh, we're in San Diego, LA. Uh, so I'm in LA, so we're good. Okay, nice. Yeah, yeah, yeah, totally. Were you born in LA? No, I'm from New Jersey, New Jersey originally, but I moved to, you're like, Mmm, it's a B, three and a half years ago. Okay. Yeah. Tell me about in New Jersey. And it's super chill. It's like a, and it's like a polar opposite from LA or like California as a whole. Honestly. Really that's like California. It's like very like go getter is at least in LA in my experience, like sure. The vibe is like very so it's chill but it's like productive and like I feel like over, they're like no hate towards it or not in a negative way, but everyone's very like comfortable and and the complacent and they just, they just do normal stuff, which is the job's come on or the bees, which is chill if you want that.
1 (2m 6s):
But if you're trying to like the, I guess in the entertainment business or like really like do anything creatively, I don't think it's like a very inspiring place to live. But you know, part of my story but it's all good. Yeah. So in, in Jersey where were you, were there like venues and stuff cause they, were you singing it all out when you live there or is that always just saying it? I was just singing like to myself and on the internet, but there's no real like music scene. That's also another big part of it. Like the closest music scene would be like New York, but, but you kind of have to live there and like really be around to like network, you know what I mean, like two hours away from New York and like, so it just wasn't like a realistic uh, to be there that much and I didn't really like know anyone.
1 (2m 56s):
Whereas like I came to LA when I was 16 but I did some people out here. I was very lucky to like I have the chance to come out and to be introduced to a lot of people like right off the bat, which is cool. Yeah. Yeah. How did you get into music originally? You're a family and it kind of happens super. No, like none of my family does music. It happens super like I guess you could say naturally I a. N I always, he was just drawn to singing even from like, like the earliest time I remember singing it was like five and wow. I have a funny story actually. I always tell this story cause it kinda of like demonstrates the, that kind of unawareness that I had about like my love for music as like at a young age.
1 (3m 40s):
So I was in an airport with my family and I had my mom, my mom had the, at this point, a brick MP3 player, like, like the old school one. It wasn't even an, I thought it was like the knockoff iPod. And so, uh, I was listening to it, I think it was like, Hey there Delilah by the plain white T's. Oh. And I was singing, Oh, along with it, like I guess maybe humming like that. And this old couple came up to my mom and, uh, she was like, Oh, that's so cute. Like he's so good, like whatever. And I didn't even realize it. I was singing it just kind of having naturally, and I was so embarrassed that I started crying because, because I didn't think that it was like the right thing to do at the time.
1 (4m 25s):
But over time I a N so then I started taking piano lessons when I was eight. Um, I like in music class, always want it to, not to play the piano, that they had a bunch of keyboards in there. And I always, I was with like pretend to play, like whenever they were playing music, I would like pretend to play chords like, but I was playing it but I was just playing nothing. So then I really want it to learn that and got it very quickly, like fall in love with it. And I attribute that to, it's a big part of that. Like my, uh, my musicality because I basically, it was like they were trying to teach, cause when you learn classical Panda, they teach you the right to read music. And I was not down with that.
1 (5m 7s):
So, uh, so I was so opposed to that, that I would look up. I would, um, you convinced my mom's so let me by the piece is on iTunes and um, I would literally pick them apart by ear and learn them that way, which is looking back, it like probably it's a way more time than just learning how to read the music. But I think that was, you're like, I feel like you're digesting in more and understand more by like actually hearing in being able to figure out okay that's this note or that's this chord or whatever. Yeah, I'm just trying to figure it out. But I didn't really like know any music theory at the time. Um, it was kinda of just all by ear and I, I think that it was like more effort at the time but overall it ended up like really training my, my musical ear in a good way.
1 (5m 52s):
And then as a result of the piano playing I was singing same, same theme I was singing knowing it, um, when I was playing the piano in a lesson. Okay. And uh, the piano teacher was like, Oh you should get voice lessons. Like you have a good sense of pitch and like your voice and your tone is cool. Its like nice. So, so I got the voice lessons. My family has always been super supportive by the way that, that's awesome. Yeah, it's a, it's a real, a real blessing. Cause if they had never like encouraged me to do what I love, then I don't know where I'd be, you know, I'd probably be in college or like doing some normal shit, but am I allowed to like cust on your cars? Um, you can send or whatever you want.
1 (6m 34s):
Okay. A word. But, um, yeah, so I kind of, or is it like, Oh, they were always super supportive of me doing what I love and like anything that I had interest in, they would always push me to do that. And some obviously some things like you have interested in it, then it fades. And that's just a part of figuring out who you are as a person. But yeah. So then I started taking voice lessons and I probably took voice lessons for the three years about, and then O and R. And also during this time I had met, um, one of my, one of my mentors, his name is Elijah Blake. Um, and it was just by random chance. The, we met But he sent me like a bunch of music, like R and B and like gospel music and like all this old school music that I had never really been exposed to because at the time it was just like pop music that I really listen to and like, um, so I had never been exposed to that kind of stuff and it really helped me grow and like kind of find my voice in because I don't know if you got the chance to check out music, but it definitely looks like it.
1 (7m 37s):
Yeah. Um, but it definitely has like an RMB like route to it I've heard that are responsible for that. And uh, so that was like, wow. It was developing and a, you said you were seeing a random like that? It wasn't, it wasn't like random random, but basically, um, my dad was friends with this artist and my dad's not in the music industry or anything, so he was friends with this artist and he like dragged me if my mom was doing something or I don't really remember like what the, with the events leading up to it were. But he like took me to the studio. I guess he invited my dad and uh, I was singing in the corner.
1 (8m 18s):
Oh. Like I was just saying like a not even knowing. Again, that's a common theme with me as just like I'm just, I'm always singing regardless of like if I had no, I am or not. I constantly like in public, you know, we'll be like, Oh my gosh, you're such a good sing. I'm like, Oh, you know, I was like singing it, not realizing it yet, but I'm so he just noticed and he was like, wow, your son like really has something special. But he's like, obviously he's not, uh, he's not ready to like to really be an artist yet. So he just kept in touch with my dad. I kept in touch with Elijah and a half, you know, he sent us a bunch of music and my dad was super, super cool not to push on me cause like I think when you meet someone that like believes in you, it kind of puts unnecessary pressure on it.
1 (9m 3s):
So it is cool that there was no real pressure on it because I did love it. And like when you love something, it just doesn't feel like work. So it was kind of just like, and it was a really good thing for me and my dad to bond over because, you know, we would, we were both discovering this music together and like picking it apart and it was dope. So, um, basically over time I just developed like a, a, a musicality about me or like I guess a musical identity you could say. Yeah. Um, and then when I was 16, I got the opportunity to move out here and yeah, I was staying with Elijah at the time. I was still live with him because we write music like every day. But, um, so I got the opportunity to come out here and at first it was like very, it was very like preplanned almost.
1 (9m 51s):
And I was, I was with this management company, I'm not gonna name them, but, uh, basically it was like, uh, trying to be the next like teen pop star, which I didn't, I didn't know that. I didn't want to be, but I definitely didn't want to be that. You know what I mean? Like sure. I, you know, I'm a, I'm like a true musician and I want to be able to show that and like really make that a part of who I am. And I didn't just want to be a pretty face in like a pretty voice. Right. So cause they were just like, yeah, that's what has to be like, here you go and go, go be the face of this. So I released some music and I'm not, I'm not like mad or that music or anything like it.
1 (10m 32s):
It's a great learning experience. But yeah, it wasn't, yeah, it wasn't like really had a lot of experience like recording and totally being a part of something. Yeah. And being around other, the people who are making music because I learn a ton from just like watching like, um, producer's and all that, you know. So, uh, basically that was a great learning experience. But over time I really had the desire to And and I think yeah, I was 15, um, and I started making beats, um, on, on a machine, which was like this little beat pad. It's like an MPC type thing, but I'm, I started making beats on that and it was just strictly for fun.
1 (11m 12s):
Like I didn't really do it with the intention of singing over to the beach. It was just like a fine, it was just like a fun musical like thing. It was like, cause I'm kind of like a techno, a tech nerd to like you guys been like super interested in that. So it was kind of like a merge of those worlds. Sure. You know, like I like learning about the plugins and all that was super interesting and then you combine that with and music in it can become this beautiful thing so that it was like something that I just was doing constantly. And I remember the summer of 2015 I made a beat every day. Wow. Yeah, I like made a, made a promise to myself that I was going to do one every day and sometimes they were just a like a loop if they like full tracks, but I just made sure to create something every day.
1 (11m 57s):
And it took about like eight months. Mmm. Eight months into 2015. I literally started like January 1st, 2015 started, I started making beats because I had gotten a laptop for Christmas and that allowed me to, to open the doors so I a N um, and thank God that my parents got me that for Christmas thanks to them and, but uh, yeah, so I just literally started the first day of 2015 and I think it took about eight months or I made the first thing that I was like, okay, this is like kind of, so I'm kind of proud of this even though it was like looking back it was so bad.
1 (12m 38s):
But like at the time I was actually proud of how far I had come and that kind of, that kind of got me, that kind of sparked like almost on the addiction where I just wanted to progress and make things that I was proud of. Cause that's a great feeling. Like I'm not sure of what you do. Like obviously you do these creatively. Did he do anything else? Like do you know when you make something that you're super proud of, that warm feeling you get and it's like, yeah, just like glory. Like within yourselves. No one else can like put you down. Like I played, I used to play these beads for people and they would be like, yeah, that's cool. Cause like they weren't that good. But I was so proud of them that it just did it matter who you use the blood, sweat and tears into it and something that you loved and that's great.
1 (13m 22s):
Yes. So that was kind of how I got into production and that just progress to a point where I was able to make full songs on my own and I started writing and, um, that was like post and releasing kind of some music that wasn't necessarily me, but it wasn't not me because I wasn't really like it sure. Of who I was as an artist. So that's just a part of my development at the time. Yeah, totally. Yeah. So then I, uh, so basically all of the 2018 and 2019, I was just making music and Mmm. I started producing for some other artist's, which is great experience. I'm to try to like to step in to other bosses and to explore other genres and stuff.
1 (14m 5s):
So, um, and yeah, so basically 20, 19, I didn't really know it at the time, but I kind of started making my album and a wow. And then like by the end I was like, okay, yeah, yeah, this is turning into an album. So, uh, so now I'm, and then the finishing touches on it and I'm planning on releasing it sometime this year. Awesome. That's awesome. That's really awesome. I'm super excited about that. Yeah. Yeah. I want to go back a little bit to, um, so you met Ali Elijah and when you were you in the studio, like when your dad took you and stuff? Was that in New Jersey? It was on the East coast, yeah, he was in New Jersey.
1 (14m 48s):
Okay. And then how did you decide move to LA? Like what was the, so it kind of just the cons. I just felt right and it felt like in order for me to like to explore who I was as a person, um, that I had to like kinda be away from my family and I missed him so much at first. Like I was really homesick. So you moved out here by yourself, you know, by myself or my family then. Yeah. So that was like kind of like, obviously I didn't, it, I didn't like say that to them that I didn't want to be around them because I did want to be around them. Looking back, I think it was really necessary for like me becoming who I am to be able to experience things.
1 (15m 30s):
And learn and grow and learn on my own and not be like, so sheltered because the part of Jersey that I'm from is like, wow, kind of a bubble. I'm not going to lie. Like it's a, it's a nice area and like it's just a, is there anything like the wild wild West, you know? Right. Like I just grew up in a, in a nice town like school, everything. Everyone was nice. Like obviously there's school drama, but like for the most part everyone was nice and sweet and like there wasn't any real problems. Right. Which when I came out to LA, like you see the world for what it is and you kind of get disappointed and then you moved past that and it's just a cycle. I think it's a constant cycle in life of like having faith in something.
1 (16m 12s):
And then you can either be, you can live up to it or you can be disappointed in it and then you just figure out how to go from there. But um, yeah. So, um, so when you got out to LA, you did, you, you're immediately working with Elijah right away. When you moved out here, that was, that kind of immediately started making music. He was writing songs for me. Um, and I was trying to like co-write with him. Like if I was trying to like really put my experiences in it, but I didn't really have that much life experience at the time. So the writing thing, it was just something that came with it with me gaining more experiences and like I made friends out here but eventually, yeah, so they made friends and out of those kinds of things and like, yeah, that's, that's just what life's about is like taking out our growing up, I guess it was like being people and figuring out how you like, who you don't like, who you think you are and just how you like, how you can assimilate into everything.
1 (17m 17s):
So what was the first like performance you've ever did it in front of people? Was that like a cidal or was it a I did a piano. A piano recital I did in fourth grade, but I wasn't saying the first thing performance I had was, so it was, I think so. I might be wrong, but I think it was at this fundraiser in New Jersey. Um, it's that this school was called Dave's day. It's um, it's a really cool van. Were they just raise Oh for a good cause they have a bunch of people form and donate and there's like basketball games. It's a super chill super chill thing. But I did a, ah, I did a few songs there and I was super scared and nervous and I like very awkward.
1 (18m 5s):
But um, the performing thing was like, it definitely like happens really fast where you get comfortable on stage and like, you know, like it's just like public speaking. You just have to do it and you'll get comfortable with it. But like it's not a natural feeling. When you first step on stage,
2 (18m 21s):
Do you feel like you enjoy performing live in front of people or, or the, uh, the process of song writing and producing?
1 (18m 31s):
That's true. I think at first it was more the songwriting producing because once I started writing, and that's, that's had a shift recently because I've been writing about such personal stuff that I really have. Like, I feel a responsibility almost to share it with everyone. Yeah. So that the Live the live shows or like, you know, that's exactly what they are. It is me sharing. So the way I feel on my views on the world and like I like my song writing, it has gotten deeper. And like, obviously as I'm getting older, I'm getting more in touch with myself and more aware of what's going on in the world. So, um, now I think that it's kind of neck and neck as far as like creating And so I guess a showcasing.
1 (19m 20s):
Sure. Um, but they're both like they were both totally different things cuz I'm a very like, independent crater Lake. Most of the time I'm writing by myself, producing, I'm by myself. I'm not like, I mean obviously since it in the quarantine, you know, or anyone, but most of the time it is totally the independent and that's cool. But a performance is the opposite of that. So I think there are just really nice things to balance.
2 (19m 47s):
1 (19m 51s):
When you moved to LA, uh,
2 (19m 54s):
And you, you started working with Elijah I did like, was that you kinda got involved in the, the light pop thing that you weren't really loving. I mean, I don't know how much you want to talk about that, but like what was the process between like what they're, you know, and them trying to push you as a pop artist to transitioning into like doing your solo stuff as just a Finn Matthews
1 (20m 20s):
I wasn't really, so I wouldn't say it, I was pressured into doing it at the time. I just feel like it was the expectation, like the default thing that I was gonna do because we just meet people that were like, yeah, they just do that. Yeah. And it was, it was all a supernatural, like I met my management at the time through Elijah And so that was a totally amazing learning experience. But that's just like me finding out who I am as an artist. But like, it, it definitely was like, it felt the right thing to do because of just past artists, I guess, and like what has worked. And since then, I've kind of less, it started like I don't really aim for like what's going to be successful commercially.
1 (21m 1s):
It's more so it just like what I love, which is what it should be about. Sure. Is obviously working for you. You know, I'm getting there. Uh, I have a lot of stuff I still need to do and want to do it. I'm just trying to, trying to do as much as I can. Yeah. Well tell me about going, uh, and putting your first like stuff that is as Finn Matthew, he was like, was that, well it was always as Finn. Matthews it wasn't like a, Oh, I didn't know if you were part of something different and then, no, no. Okay. It was a, I guess I didn't like, yeah, it was always been not to use, but I just didn't really know who Finn Matthews was, I guess.
1 (21m 41s):
Sure. Okay. Yeah. So, um, and what was it expensive? Yeah. That was the first song that you wrote and you felt like, okay, this is, this is, uh, this is fitting Matthews this is going to be me, my song a million. And one. Okay. Did they put out in may of 2018 that song? It was, I wrote it with Elijah and I produced it on my own and he was super, so it was like the first time I was heavily involved in creating. So I think that's kinda why it, it has a special place in my heart, but also just the lyrics were super relatable and I felt like that was something that I really, that was needed was in the musical escape. It was like, no, it was, it, it's like an acoustic kind of vibe, which have evolved from since that I still have acoustic vibes, but I have a, you know, explored or other genres since then.
1 (22m 26s):
But the first thing that I'd put out that really felt like that really felt like home for me. Yeah. Wow. Well, do you remember performing in LA for the first time? Like on like as Finn Matthews what was your first show? It was actually a, a Live Nation wants to watch show. Wow. I have to get that one. Uh, just through my management. Yeah. They just looked it up and you know, I was like, this is developing artists. So it was like super cool and they were super down with it and it was dope. I learned a ton from that, like rehearsing for that and like preparing for it. Um, yeah, it was just that show that it was in Beverly Hills at there at their office.
1 (23m 11s):
Like they have, uh, they have like almost a venue kind of ish space and they like convert it for show is, it's super dope. I want to go back there are actually just walk in and be like, what's up and say, Hey, I'm going to do some songs for you guys right now. Yeah, deal with it. That's awesome. Well, how'd you meet him? You're signed to Warner records, so I'm not signed. Now Oh, you're not signed. Okay. I don't know. It was all independent independent right now. Wow. Do you have any aspiration to go to a record label or you love what you are doing independently? I love the control
2 (23m 46s):
That I have right now.
1 (23m 48s):
Um, and I think at a certain point this was like kind of going away slowly. But the platform is you can reach, is it a little bit wider from a label unless you get really lucky. I just happen to have a huge following,
2 (24m 3s):
You know, cause that happens when you have a huge following for not being on the record label. Not a huge man. Like it scared almost set a hundred Ks on Instagram and stuff like that. So your song plays that you go over a hundred thousand on certain songs on your Spotify. I mean,
1 (24m 23s):
And again, and I'm on the way man. That's all. It's all a journey, man is not about the destination, you know? But um, I think that like the control that I have, the creative control for my music is really important to me right now. And just as I'm going as an artist I think is, it's a really good for me to not have someone over my shoulder telling me is that you need to make something like this. And I think a lot of artists get blinded by that and they think that what they're labeled is telling you to do, it becomes who they are. And then after they either like get draw from a label or, or they ended up like being responsible for creating the music. Mmm. They were kind of lost and they don't know who they are because they don't have someone telling them what to do.
1 (25m 5s):
So I definitely, I'm not totally like opposed to labels, but I do love the, the control that and the freedom that I have right now. And like the, I guess lack of pressure cause I put a lot of pressure on myself. Like I tend to And I found that when I put less pressure on myself to create music, I make better music, which, which kind of makes sense to just like able to like tap in better when I'm not.
2 (25m 34s):
Yeah. Yeah. So like trying to write the biggest song ever. You know like
1 (25m 39s):
That has been super important for me to just, I have it be a chill thing that I do because I love it and not because I have to or because I feel like I have to, you know? And I think that I think a lot of people can let it get to a point and if your career goes to a point where it's like overwhelming and you can't stop it, like it becomes like a snowball effect and like I think they're can be a huge, I deal with like the pressure and responsibility that is felt. So I want to like as I grow as an artist, I want to like make sure that I stay grounded in and don't try to. So think about it too much or too hard and just go with what I feel, you know? I totally agree with you.
2 (26m 20s):
Do you, have you done any touring
1 (26m 22s):
Or just not just random shows here and there.
2 (26m 26s):
Did you have any aspiration detour? Like do you, why is that something that you are interested in doing?
1 (26m 32s):
Just one of my main goals cause I feel like that you can just show your music to so many people in person and connect with them. Cause it's cool to like promote it on the internet and people find your music is great. But like feel like in person, it's just a whole different energy. They can see who you are. I did kind of feel their energy and performance thing and it's a super fun like doing shows. I a N can we have to do that?
2 (26m 56s):
Yeah. Yeah. Do you think that's going to be something that you're going to do with a new record once you put that out? I mean obviously if the quarantine is lifted.
1 (27m 4s):
Yeah, he was like, ah, I'm not really sure where I'm going to go because I have tons of music beyond that record. So I a N I'm not really sure. I'm kind of playing it by ear, especially with the quarantine is kind of like already had some plans that had to get moved in altered. So, um, I'm just going to play it by ear. Uh, yeah.
2 (27m 26s):
That's cool. So tell me about the, so the new record you said is coming in around the summertime?
1 (27m 33s):
Yeah, I'm hoping, I'm hoping for it to come out around summer. The name of the album is Sunny Daze because, so it's kind of about my experience coming to LA and thinking it was going to be on the sunny days and then having to figure it out, how they cope with the realities of it. So that's kind of the album like in a whole, I mean you can't really describe it in like one sentence, but that's kind of the, the theme or like the setting in which I created it is just figuring myself out in a new place. And I think a lot of people going up go through that growing up, whether it's in college or you know, if they moved to a new state. So I think it's going to be super important for, for people to hear are these kinds of things and be able to connect with them and relate to them and put themselves in the song.
1 (28m 18s):
I guess I like when I, like when I listened to a song and I'm able to think of myself as the, the artist's and I'm a, I might do that because I'm an artist myself. But I think even before I was like strongly identifying as who I am as an artist. I think that is like a beautiful thing when you can just connect with this song. So I, I want to be able to provide those experiences for people and give them some kind of closure or happiness or whatever. Just make them feel good or feel something that at least, yeah.
2 (28m 50s):
Yeah. W why did you decide on it into the open, the next single, do you have all, cause you said you have all of the songs done right?
1 (28m 58s):
Yeah, they're all, they're all created but they're not all finalized. I'm kind of, not yet, I'm in the final steps of like tweaking everything I'm, which has been kind of overwhelming cause I'm doing all of the production myself. So it's a, it's been kind of like challenging to, to keep a, a, an objective view of the whole thing and not overdo it or over tweak it is that I've done that with songs where it had like a really nice feeling and then I just over overwork on it I guess coz I want it to be perfect in my mind. But sometimes imperfection is what makes you feel things, you know? Yeah. So I'm trying to really like you take advantage of those moments and not,
2 (29m 39s):
Not ruin them. Is it hard being like,
1 (29m 42s):
Are you the only one working on, I didn't answer your question by the way out into the open. I just felt like that was a really, is really important is on it and that has such a strong message and I think the world really needs to hear that kind of thing. Um, and I don't know if you've got a chance to watch the music video, but in a way it highlights experiences that everyone goes through and hardships that everyone goes through. And I just want to inspire everyone to be the best person they can be. And you know, you can always improve your, your outlook on things are just your, your attitude towards the world. And
2 (30m 16s):
Yeah. And it was a video where they're shooting baskets and stuff that gets shooting hoops. Yeah.
1 (30m 21s):
So the basketball player gets into a car accident and he uh, obviously he, his dreams to be a basketball player and that he gets injured and the whole video he was working through that to just at the end he gets to just be able to walk and he appreciates even being able to like being alive. That's what I really want to, cause it's not really about the tangible things in life. It's really about your outlook and your, you know, what you see things as so. Uh, and then the other story is a, these two dancers who they were both females, they're a, they like each other and a, there is clearly like a little bit on the fence about it cause they don't know what everyone's gonna think.
1 (31m 7s):
They don't know what each other are going to think. Sure. And yeah, at the end they kiss and you kind of, they are teleported into this field, which was like expansive and that's like kinda the metaphor for the Open, which is like a place where that a place that is free from judgment free from fear and he was just, it was just like a beautiful, peaceful place that you can, you really experience things for what they are without having like a layer of judgment, you know?
2 (31m 34s):
Yeah. I love that. That's amazing. That's a beautiful message. Yeah. We did. My wife and I did check the video out last night. Yeah. We thought it was really rad. You have, you just said you have a great voice and this is killer. Really. Yeah. Um, you were talking a little bit about, um, you know, Over, over producing or like, you know, thinking too hard about certain songs. Then you said sometimes you got to just dial it back and accept the, some of the imperfections. Like, is that hard you, are you the only one currently working on the production, on the, on your stuff?
1 (32m 11s):
Yeah. Currently I'm the only one is that it's not like,
2 (32m 15s):
You know, I, I've, I've, I've talked to other artists and musicians that say like sometimes they get in this, in this space where they're almost overproduced thing, the song or over at it too many of us. Like is it hard to kind of reel that in without somebody saying, yeah,
1 (32m 30s):
Hey, maybe you should do this or this or this. Oh, I don't really have anyone telling me want to really make that like at this time. So it's a, it's kinda on my shoulders to a, to be honest with myself and the, as far as over-producing goes, I think just always like the less you can put that still gets the message across the better cause it's going to be much more digestible for people. Sure. Um, so that's kind of a motto I like to follow. It is just simplicity. I like that. Well, it's really hard because as a producer and as like a, I'm a music nerd, I love like all of the, you know, the extra stuff that you can do that again.
1 (33m 14s):
Yeah. The plugins and like this, yeah. Putting all of the, putting all of the facts in like a little musicality in it. Sometimes you can just get a little distracting from the vocal I'm sure. So I like to, I like to think or to try to remember that the people aren't listening for all those things. But I like to put little things in that you can notice if you listen for it, but it will still give you a feeling if you're not, that's what I like to do, but not something that overwhelms and it distracts you. There's like a fine line. They're, you kinda had a really fine line for a ride on, huh? Yeah, definitely. Well thank you so much for chatting with me. I really appreciate it.
1 (33m 55s):
You have such a rad story. Thank you man. Thanks for having me. I appreciate you doing a video call by the way. I really don't like phone interviews cause they either can't see the person that I feel like it. I'm not really having a conversation with them, especially if I had never, especially if I've never met them. So I appreciate you being open to doing a video. Of course. Yeah, I did the video too. Cause then it's you're, I'm like, and you're inviting me into your home. I see some like a soundproofing on your walls. It's like, it's a pretty cool, there'll be a check out where your, you know, Oh wow. Yeah. This is my demo mic. I have a, I have like a real recording setup in my upstairs butt. So you just eat as a demo down there where you're at.
1 (34m 35s):
If I'm, if I'm like, I, I sometimes will run upstairs but sometimes I'll just grab that a guitar and start writing. I just want to record it, you know. That's awesome. Yeah. But a eventually, like I had this dream and that it was like that I had a house. Um, and every room I had some capacity to record music and so that whatever room I, I want it to be in, I could just do it and it would still come out really nice and I wouldn't have to like redo or anything or like, yeah, it wouldn't have to like record it and be like, Oh this doesn't sound good cause this and this was on my phone. Like I could actually just have it ready to go, like all wired up. But that's a, a crazy pipe dream of mine.
1 (35m 19s):
You can do it, man. I mean, yeah, one day, sooner than later you'll have a house with a recording thing and every room I can for sure for you. Yeah, man. Well, I have one more question for you. I wanted to know if you have any advice for aspiring artists, people to do what you do to take that leap. And um, I would say beyond putting your life experience is first and not putting pressure on the music. I would say just practice your craft as much as possible because, and when you have the skills to, to convey what you were trying to say, it really makes it much more easy to just to get what you're thinking or feeling on paper.
1 (36m 8s):
Like with guitar for example, since I've gotten better at guitar, I don't have to think about what I'm playing or how to play it as much as I think just think about feeling the music. So that goes with anything. Singing, like drawing, any art one thing, and just the more you do it, the better you're going to get it. And then you're going to have to think about the logistical part of it. Less as you can think about
0 (36m 31s):