Photos by Colin Zyrek

SH: How's LA in self-quarantine? 

A: I think the city has handled the situation pretty well, compared to how some other large cities have been hit. Part of that is because things are more spread out here. I’m sad that just as we were going through a revival of urban living in the US, this virus came along and is hitting urban areas the hardest. It’s also a bit tough being in a place with beautiful weather and a lifestyle that’s formed around being outside in public places. It seems petty to complain about that though.

SH: Have you found the time at home to be helpful in getting creative or has it killed all motivation?

A: So, at first, it was really great for me creatively. I was recording a lot and writing new music, since I have a decent home recording setup at my place here. But, after a few weeks I realized I very much feed on the energy of being around a lot of people, whether it’s people I know or strangers. I think I could handle on/off isolation for a few weeks at a time, but I start to become a bit lethargic without the energy of public spaces.

SH: What are your current influences? Artists you are particularly hyped on?

A: I get influence from a lot of stuff, but lately I’ve been really into pop, funk and disco music from all over the world from the late 70s and 80s. To name a few: Steve Monite, Marcos Valle, Rupa, Mariya Takeuchi, Sister Sledge, 1986 Omega Tribe.

A few contemporary artists I’ve been into are Channel Tres, Tei Shi, Toro y Moi. My most played album of last year was Metro Boomin’s “Not All Heroes Wear Capes”

SH: When did you start creating music? Who were your influences then?

A: I started in high school. I first sort of “made music” in a bad screamo band doing vocals. But, I wanted to learn how to actually play instruments and compose songs. I started learning some piano and making beats that my friends and I would rap over. Some of my influences then came mostly from skate videos. I was just getting into “indie rock” as a genre really as I was wrapping up high school. In the area I grew up in, there wasn’t a lot that type of stuff going on. It was like scene kid stuff, punk, rap. I remember being super into 808s and Heartbreaks when it came out, that definitely changed my outlook on making music.

SH: What is the most fulfilling thing about being a Shih Tzu dad? (you do have a Shih Tzu right? Hot Rod?)

A: Yeah. Hotrod is a Shih Tzu. It’s great, honestly. He’s insanely chill and just wants to be around us (me and my wife) all the time. He does have his few moments a day where he likes to mosh into the couch or rug and wear himself out after a good 3-5 minutes. Those moments give me energy. 

SH: You are a definite storyteller. Do your stories come from a place of fantasy or do you strictly "write what you know"?

A: I don’t have a hard rule. But, I usually have a hard time writing completely autobiographically. So, most of my songs tend to be a blend of some things that are real and some things that are a bit abstracted that I think are relatable to the vibe of the song. I used to be really hard on myself when writing lyrics, but now I try to just get stuff out as quickly as possible when I’m working on an idea. The longer I wait and hear a song without lyrics, the more closed that window becomes.

SH: When can we expect a debut release?

A: So soon, like a few weeks or less.

SH: Being a L.A. transplant, how do you feel the city has influenced your work, if at all?

A: I’ve heard people say they’ve noticed a change in the music I’ve been making since I’ve moved here, but I don’t know if it’s attributed to the “vibe” of the city necessarily. I think what has a bigger influence is working on things by myself, and not really knowing a lot of people out here. For better or worse, my debut will be a singular vision.

SH: First 3 songs in your "On Repeat" playlist in Spotify?

A: Disco Dancer by Kiki Gyan

水仙 by Tawings

I Want Your Love by Chic

SH: Thanks for talking with me today. Can you leave us with a few words for the people to live by?

A: Don’t define yourself too strictly. If you wanna spend a few weeks doing one thing and dive into some completely other shit for a while afterward, it’s fine. Your emotions and desires can change like the seasons and if you don’t listen to them, you might be playing yourself.