Chris Poulson is an American Singer-Songwriter from Burbank, California. A seasoned musician, who has been in the music industry since the mid 1990s. Chris Poulson’s career started from early beginnings in his high school marching band drumline and progressed to being signed with Fearless Records rock band, Rock Kills Kid as drummer in 2001. He found himself touring and sharing the stage with headlining and national acts. In the mid 2000s, Chris left drumming to focus on singing and songwriting. The music world noticed and featured him in industry magazines and TV. In 2021, Chris released his debut Solo EP digitally worldwide, “Fall Into Pieces.”
His newest single, “Can’t Let Go”, dropped on all streaming platforms Friday, July 29th, 2022, along with the, “Can’t Let Go” (Official Music Video) which was released on August 1st, 2022!
Q: When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: To me, it has always been an exciting process! It’s usually only stressful when you’re trying to balance making the recording go as smoothly as possible along with fitting in all of life’s duties and responsibilities. Other than that, I’m always excited and pumped up about a new release, whether is a full record, EP. or even a single.
Q: 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?
Ans: For the most part, all songs have been written by me. Just recently I had to the pleasure of working with a few fellow songwriters and a solid producer who gets my vision. I’ve always drew my song writing inspiration from life experiences, relationships, and significant moments. I would say my favorite part about the songwriting process is the transformation of the song from beginning to end. It usually goes through several different changes and/or versions before the final cut gets the green light and is released.
Q: At what age did you start singing?
Ans: Oddly enough, I started singing shortly after I began playing the drums. I’d say I was about 16 or 17 years old. I was in a few bands with some friends while in high school. The one band I joined was a Nirvana cover group which also wrote some of our own material. When that band disbanded, I started a new band with a few guys from the same school which was more into the likes of the pop punk genre (Blink-182, MxPx, Green Day, etc.) In this group I shared the lead vocal role with the guitarist. We harmonized together and switched off singing lead in several songs. A few which I wrote.
Q: What is your favorite song to sing live?
Ans: I’d have to say my favorite song of mine to sing live is a song called, “For You.” Very energetic and dynamic in all the right ways. The lyrics speak of vulnerability and the harmonies just make it. You can find the official music video for “For You” on my YouTube channel. @ChrisPoulsonOfficial
Q:Do you have any events coming up or recording going on right now?
Ans: I am planning to start playing live shows again come the new year, possibly January or February 2023. In the meantime, I’m going to be recording a new single in the coming month of December called, “Gone Without a Trace.” A song I wrote nearly a decade ago that I feel is time to release to the world with a new spin and flare that I have hidden up my sleeve.
Q:When and why did you start playing?
Ans: Well, for starters I come from a family of musicians. My mom is a singer, and two of my uncles both play guitar and sing. I believe my grandfather (my mom’s father) also played guitar. I technically started playing when I was about 13 years old. I was in my middle school band and played the snare drum. My parents next door neighbor found out that I played the snare in school and had asked if I wanted to borrow his drum set to practice and maybe learn how to play the entire kit instead of just a snare drum. I was over the moon excited to get the drum set from him and start playing. I practiced on that thing (in my parents living room, haha) every day for hours and hours. From there upon entering high school, I liked playing the drums so much that I wanted to be a part of a real marching band. So, I ended joining the high school marching band drumline my freshman year.
Q: Describe your first instrument. Other instruments.
Ans: I began my music journey as a drummer. From my early days in middle school, to high school, to then signing on as the drummer in a newly signed rock/pop band (Rock Kills Kid) on Fearless Records. While playing drums, I also sang and dabbled with playing the guitar. When I eventually put the sticks down, I focused more on singing and songwriting. During this part of my music career I picked up and learned the basics on bass guitar as well as the keyboard.
Q: Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD’s?
Ans: Some of my favorite musicians/inspirations would include (but not limited to): Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), Daniel Johns (Silverchair), Shaun Morgan (Seether), Billie Joe Armstrong and Tré Cool (Green Day), Blink-182, Breaking Benjamin, The Beatles, Chris Isaak, George Strait, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Elvis Presley, Goldfinger, Kent (Sweden), Lit, Maroon 5, Metallica, Panic! At the Disco, Nickelback, Tonic, 30 Seconds to Mars, Post Malone, and much much more.
Top 5 albums (CD’s) would be: Kings of Leon (Only By the Night), Metallica (Black album), Nirvana (Nevermind), Blink-182 (Enema Of The State), George Strait (Always Never The Same)
Q: Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV?
Ans: I absolutely perform in public, and love to do so! I am looking forward to some amazing live performances in 2023. As I have performed all over the U.S., having done several tours with a few rock bands I was either drumming in or singing in at the time. These were tours and local shows to promote and push my band’s latest release and get the new music out through word of mouth. Expect to see me on stage live in 2023, and it’ll be one exciting event!
Q: Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?
Ans: I would think most people do or would get nervous right before a performance or an event. If you love something that you do, nerves arise because you love it that much. And it shows that you care about how you perceive yourself on stage or in any sort of public event or appearance. Nerves are completely normal. I do get nervous at times, especially in front of a massive audience. However, I think it pushes you to excel and give your all while you’re performing.
