Caleon Fox – If You Only Knew

By starrymag | August 3, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Tyler the Creator, Donald Glover, Nujabes, The Dream, T-Pain, Toro y moi. Hands down my favorites.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Bubbly.” It’s very catchy! What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) It’s catchy, almost anyone can relate to it and it’s radio friendly. This is probably the most radio friendly song I’ve ever made. My biggest goal was to make the chorus so catchy that It gets annoying. I want people to be going about their day and automatically start singing the song without even realizing it.

 

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

 

A) The video displays a guy expressing how he feels about a girl with nothing but authenticity. Guys nowadays front way too hard. Younger guys are also accustomed to reaching out to friends or people they look up to and will listen to whatever they tell them to do. Next thing you know, they begin to act out of their character. They thinkthat’s what girls want, but in all reality all they want is someone that’s upfront and honest. Well, at least from my experience. I can’t speak for all people but anyone that doesn’t seek authenticity in a person, is not someone I would want to affiliate myself with.

 

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

 

A) It varies. Sometimes the mood comes naturally as soon as I hear the beat. Like the moment The Wavys played the “Bubbly” beat is when I knewthat I wanted it to be a summer time jam about someone being in love. Sometimes It’s based off of feelings or experience, whether their mine or someone else’s. Not all of the music I write is based off of things I go through.

 

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

 

A) Early on not that much. It was either a beat that was already made and I just hopped on it or someone would just make a beat for me and I would either like it or not. I started to get more involved around 2017 with songs like well connected, “Saturn 02” and “Senpai Skies.” If Only You Knew has been the most Involved I’ve ever been with production though.

 

Q) You slayed Blurry Vision Fest. For those not in attendance, what can fans expect from a live Caleon Fox performance?

 

A) A freaking rockstar performance and possibly a mosh pit. I go crazy in my performances and best believe that you will get that tingly feeling when you attend a Caleon Fox show.

 

Q) What songs off your upcoming EP If You Only Knew are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) Every single one of them. This is the first time I’ve ever made a set of songs with the cookie cutter verse chorus verse formula. I made each song with hopes that the chorus would be catchy enough for everyone to catch onto once it comes on the second time around. Hopefully, people end up learning the words though, so they can sing some parts because niggas be getting tired on stage. [laughs]

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

 

A) I want people to listen to this ep and peep that I am an actual artist that takes this very seriously. You will see growth from every song that I release, and only those who keep up with my music will notice it, which is why the EP is titled as is. If you know then you know what is coming. Otherwise, you for sure will know what is up and I promise you that.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform?

 

A) Based off where I’ve performed so far, I’d have to say Oakland and ATL have been my fav places to perform at so far and I’m really looking forward to making my entrance there again.

 

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

 

A) Pretty much everyone I named as my influences. As for upcoming artists that are hot now, off the top of my head I’d love to work with Yaeji, Khalid, Goldlink, Father and Kyle. Each one of these artists have a very unique style that has definitely caught my attention so hopefully we can work together in the near future.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I’ve been listening to a lot of Tyler lately. Wolf, specifically. Wolf has always been my favorite because I feel like that was a point in time where Tyler was going through his transition as in artist and that really affected the relationships he had with him and the people close to him. He expresses his annoyance towards those who have switched up on him and the bandwagoners. But the dopest part of all of it is how he’s expressing his growth as in artist. He shifts away from the edgy/provocative music and focuses on making more chill music. I’m sure people didn’t like that and I’m sure he didn’t give a fuck about that. He just does what he wants and that’s important as an artist. I understand it all, it’s actually something I’m currently going through myself. My transition as a “YouTuber” to the world and displaying my true talents as an artist. In addition to dealing with those around me who I thought were close who end up being jealous, I feel it. I really do.

 

Q) We’re also getting to see you on “AnimeFit 9000.” How did you come up with the series concept?

 

A) The style was inspired by my video “How to be Hip Hop AF.” As for the workout, the idea came from this goofy video of me on this ab workout machine. I don’t know what the machine was called, but it was a machine that swings the lower half of your body and idk if it really works or if I was doing it right but that was the funny part about it. But anyways…

 

Q) The show snagged 2.5 million views on just the first two episodes! How does that make you feel? 

 

A) It’s dope. I was a bit shocked to see how well it did off the back. Then again, anime is the shit and a lot of people are beginning to notice that so I’m excited to keep making more episodes.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Engagement is important. We’re at a point in time where something as simple as a like or a reply back can inspire someone. It’s crazy because I know the feeling so social media def plays a critical part in the careers of all of us artists.

 

 

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

 

A) Just be you. Don’t front for anybody and don’t allow anyone to alter what you believe in. If you on that weird shit then be on that weird shit and not everyone is going to be with it. You can’t please everyone. There’s always going to be that one or five thousand people that are going to hate what you do because they’re some Bums. But that doesn’t matter. The only person that matters the most is yourself and if you believe in what you’re doing than that’s all the matters.