SUBLET Interview

When you decide it’s time to make a new single, is that more exciting or stressful?

For me, the creative process is exciting and revealing. I prefer to write songs without attaching any expectation or thinking of them in terms of singles. Although, deciding which recordings should be singles can be stressful.

You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favorite part about the process?

Inspiration often comes from places I lest expect but fully accept and deeply appreciate. I never know how, where or when but it usually hits like a bolt of lightning or a sudden earthquake. I guess what I enjoy most is making the pieces fit once the building blocks are on the table, so to speak. Sometimes it feels like Tetris and other times it can be a game of Jenga where you carefully utilize subtraction to the degree that the structure remains intact.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?

My parents were the leaders of the guitar choir at the church we attended when I was kid. Every week we would have rehearsal at our house with a living room full of spirited men, women and children singing and playing guitar. Thankfully, our neighbors were very tolerant. Sometimes I played the electric bass with the group which drew a lot of attention during the service. Then in 8th grade I formed a garage band with my best friend and my brother. We ambitiously played two original songs at our school talent show and thought we had 1st place on lock. Unfortunately, we were defeated by a group performing a lip-sync. Looking back on it, I may still have mixed feelings about the results but the experience was amazing and unforgettable.

How do you balance your music with other obligations in life? How does it get effected if so?

Maintaining balance between music and non-music obligations is a slippery slope. There can often be an overlap which is difficult to manage but I use a personalized form of time-management in connection with a daily to-do list which I monitor constantly. I’m neurotic that way.

What is your favorite song to sing live?

Right now I would say: ‘The Other Side’. It’s a twisted love song with severe emotional and musical dynamics. I guess I enjoy the shock value and the challenge that comes with playing it in front of people.

Do you have any events coming up or recording going on right now aside from your latest record and single in tow?

I’m playing a few shows here in Los Angeles but have no major events scheduled at the moment. My favorite thing to do these days is impromptu Instagram Live performances from the studio (or sometimes my home). It gives people the chance to see, hear and interact with me in a novel way. I’m really enjoying that experience and love the immediacy of it.

At what age did you start singing and what inspired you?

I began singing at a very early age because of my parents who are both musicians.

How easily do songs tend to come to you?

It depends. Ideas are always buzzing around my head but when it comes to the nuts and bolts of composing, I become a bit of a perfectionist. That’s when the real work starts for me.

If you had a soundtrack to your life what song/songs would have to be on it?

here’s a few, in no particular order:

Changes – David Bowie

You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones

Time After Time – Cindi Lauper

No Surprises – Radiohead

Something’s Got A Hold On Me – Etta James

Why iii Love The Moon – Phony Ppl

Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles

The Ballad of El Goodo – Big Star

The Makings Of You – Curtis Mayfield

Heart Of Gold – Neil Young