Caleb Hawley – Sad People

By starrymag | June 12, 2019

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) Who were your musical influences growing up?

A) Various acapella gospel groups, Randy Newman, Martin Sexton, Alanis Morissette

 

 

Q) Walk me through the process in creating your latest album Sad People. 

A) I had the title for about a year and a half, but it’s hard to know where to start. Three of the songs are almost a decade old.  The one thing all the songs probably have in common is that they all are born out of sadness.  I feel the most inspired when I’m depressed.

 

 

Q) How does Sad People differ from your prior albums?

A) Far more minor keys.

 

 

Q) Your album touches upon a lot of tough & sensitive subjects. Was the inspiration from this album more personal experience, ideas you had for potential new songs, or a combination of both?

A) A combination of both, leaning more toward personal experience.

 

 

Q) Of all the songs on Sad People, which one really resonated with you and why?

A) “Machine Gun.” I think I painted a clear picture of how it is dealing with depression.  It feels good to take out some of my anger on the whole happiness is a choice movement.

 

 

Q) I read that your song “A Minute of Your Love” was started in Chiapas, Mexico and completed when you were part of the Ace Hotel Artists in Residency program in New York City. How did you get the opportunity to participate in the program?

A) I got into the Ace Hotel thing through a company called Artiphon.  We documented a night with a new instrument they’ve created called Instrument 1.

 

 

Q) You mentioned on Atwood Magazine’s website that Joanna Teters is one of your favorite voices. What was it like working with her on “Playing House” and will there be more potential projects with her in the future?

A) I hope so.  There’s talk of us playing some shows together in the fall as well.  Working with her was insanely easy… I think we recorded her part in about 20 minutes.

 

 

Q) “Time is Gold” is such a great closer to the album and also a say that you mentioned you used to play at shows. Why did you decide to add this track to your current album instead of your prior albums?

A) It used to be more acoustic, which I didn’t think fit stylistically.  I produced it a bit differently so that it would work well with the rest of the tracks.

 

 

Q) Listening to your prior albums I noticed that you did quite a bit of producing. What do you feel is the greatest benefit of getting to produce on your own work?

A) I think my production skills developed as a necessity for saving money, but now I’m grateful because it allows me to put out music a lot quicker.  I used to have to save money for each album and work between schedules, but now I can go to my storage unit turned recording studio and work on an album at any time.

 

 

Q) Who is someone who you dream about collaborating with?

A) Lewis Taylor.  He’s retired from music and to me is the greatest producer on the planet.

 

 

Q) If I were to take a peek at your music collection, what would I find you currently listening to?

A) The last things I’ve listened to:

Lenny Kravitz

Bon Iver

Emily King

 

 

Q) What was it about the Harlem music scene that helped you make the move from Minnesota to New York?

A) I moved to Harlem originally for cheap rent and stuck around while the neighborhood changed tremendously. I supposed I came to NYC partially for musical opportunities though.

 

 

Q)  What advice would you give to up and coming performers?

A) Let go. Stop caring. Perform like you are intoxicated, if you aren’t already.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your music?

A) Thank you for thinking for yourself.  I have yet to become a trend and am therefore aware that anyone who is paying attention at this point is not doing it for cool points.  It really is an honor, so thank you again.