Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
1. I am from the southside of Chicago. A neighborhood called Bronzeville a.k.a “The Lowend.” Music was one of the first things I could spend hours on and not be counting the minutes.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
2. I am classically trained on the violin. I started when I was young and continued my study of the instrument through college. While I’ve had many impactful professors, my style of playing and use of the instrument is all my own.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
3. My first and strongest influences were The Gorillaz, Erykah Badu, The Strokes, Common, Danger Mouse, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Meet Me By the Lake’. Is there a story behind it?
4. My most recent project is called Meet Me By the Lake. It has reflections of my early life in Chicago. It’s a celebration of the progress I’ve made. I grew up near Lake Michigan as a child, so the title felt right. I consider this a loose collection of feelings, and a personal update for fans.
Q: What is the message of your music?
5. The message of my music can be found in the lyrics, but also in the way the production makes you feel. Since the beginning I’ve made sure my music reflects my real state of affairs. Anyone who has followed me for a while has watched my music evolve with the times. My fans have watched me experience heartbreak, travel, and the joy and pain of living a life without fear of other’s perceptions. My music is a reminder to be your authentic self
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
6. One of the key elements to my sound is genre fusion. There’s something for everyone in my music. My music doesn’t sound or feel like anything you’re going to encounter on radio or TV. The fresh and unique nature of my music is going to resonate with people
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
7. I no longer stress about the results. I do the best and most passionate work I can, and let the rest of the pieces fall as they may.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
8. The creative process never ends for me. Ideas for lyrics, melodies, visuals, and aesthetics float through my mind all day. I jot and remember as much as I can. In the studio I usually start with the beat, and I usually am looking for melodies, cadence, and flow before I get specific with final lyrics and production choices. Most times I sit on the record for a while to see how the sound of it changes as time passes. It’s interesting how different life experiences can change how you perceive a sound
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
9. lows: It took me a while to realize that most people have a season in your life: some seasons are long and some are short. Only a few people are going to stand the test of time. When you have to disconnect, do it quickly and peacefully
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
10. highs : I’ve been honored to be featured on the cover of westword magazine, Denver’s museum of Contemporary Art, and recently I’ve been a part of some very exciting symphony work that I can’t speak on yet .
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