Caleb Hearn – We’re Getting Older

By starrymag | October 12, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Overall, my songs are pretty chill and intimate. When writing my lyrics, I’m always honest and vulnerable since they’re all about experiences I’ve been through. Although I’ve been trying out some different production styles recently, I try my best to make sure my songs’ production matches the vulnerability in my lyrics. 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I’m really inspired by John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi and NF. 

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Believe it When I See It.”

 

A) “Believe It When I See It” is about a relationship where I was constantly trying to make things work with someone who wasn’t trying to do the same. I finally realized it wasn’t worth trying so hard for someone who would never do the same. The song is about how people need to reciprocate the effort you’re putting in to allow you to trust and believe them.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The song is about a simple concept of putting in more effort than someone and not seeing it back. I wrote it about a relationship I was in, but the lyrics can apply to anything, including a friendship. I think fans are connecting to the song so well because it’s such a relatable topic. 

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I was actually going to make a real video that encapsulated the story this song was about, but I got sick, so my team and I improvised and made a photo lyric video instead. The video tells the story of a relationship that was once there but was slowly fading away because neither person wanted to put in the effort. 

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Not at all – it all depends on the song, but most of the time, it happens in the opposite order and I write the lyrics before figuring out the melody. Lyrics are always the main focus of my music, so I like writing them first. I never want to compromise the quality of my lyrics by trying to make them fit a particular melody. 

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Thankfully, I have a lot of say in my music production. I generally share any ideas I have in mind so the producers I work with have a general direction of where to head. Then, after that, they play around with my songs. They always do a great job and work with me to make the songs sound exactly how I want them to. 

 

Q) Your new EP We’re Getting Older is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) Most songs are about heartbreak but not necessarily in the typical breakup song way. There are so many other times when we feel heartbroken by someone else, even if it wasn’t because of a breakup, and I explore many of those situations throughout the EP. I also try to incorporate the theme of finding hope despite any negative experiences someone goes through. 

 

Q) What songs on the EP hold a special place in your heart and why?

 

A) “She’s Everything I’ve Ever Wanted” is one of my favorites since it’s true to experiences I’ve had recently with people and I could never find a song that perfectly matched what I was going through. I also like “It Wasn’t Me At All,” which is about a situation where I wasn’t looking for the same thing in my relationship as the other person. 

 

Q) Which track challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) Definitely “Believe It When I See It.” Although I love the song now, it has a lot of elements that I had never used before, so there was a lot of experimenting. The melodies aren’t typical for me, but everything felt so right, so I went with it and now am a huge fan of it. 

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring We’re Getting Older?

 

A) Even though the songs are a bit sad, there is a hidden message of hope throughout the EP. I want listeners to know that it is okay not to be okay and that time will help heal everything someone is struggling with. 

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform, and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I haven’t performed a ton yet, but I’m actually on my first headline tour right now, so I will definitely get back to you on this! I performed at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville a few months ago, which was a fantastic experience since so many of the songwriters I’m inspired by have played there. 

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) John Mayer and Alexander 23 are some of my dream collaborations lyrically. I also want to collaborate with different music video directors that can help the stories in my songs come to life through their videos. 

 

Q) You are a part of social media – with over 1.4M TikTok fans! Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Although TikTok is extremely important to me and has helped me build my career, I want to connect with my fans in other ways to develop deeper connections with them. I’m so thankful for the people I’ve connected with through TikTok, but I want to start playing more shows to create more direct connections with people through my music. 

 

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

 

A) The biggest thing I want to say is thank you – I wouldn’t be able to do what I do if it wasn’t for people who supported me along the way. No matter if someone has streamed my songs once or one thousand times, I’m incredibly grateful for everyone allowing me to live my dream. I realize that not many people get to do what I’m able to do, and I’m so blessed. 

 

 

 

Watch the Video For “Believe It When I See It”