Cody Lovaas – Honestly

By starrymag | June 3, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Guitar driven, singer songwriter/alternative pop

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I have always been heavily inspired by John Mayer. He has definitely been my biggest influence throughout my entire career, but I do listen to all types of artists and genres. I’m a huge fan of Anderson.Paak, Mac Miller, Magic City Hippies, Hablot Brown… I could go on and on.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Talk Show.”

 

A) This is a song about a two-hour relationship I had. I was hired to perform at a fashion show in Santa Barbara and after the performance there was this crazy disco dance party. It was the type of place that put all your senses to the max. Loud music, gorgeous people, crazy lights – everything was extra, but somehow (in the midst of all the craziness) I met someone who really intrigued me. We ended up sitting outside of the party and talking to each other for two hours. It really felt as if it was just her and I, but every few minutes there would be another distraction that kept us from being able to focus completely on each other. “Talk Slow” is really about trying to leave everything else, except from the person and the moment you are in.

 

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

 

A) I’ve never really thought about that!

 

Q) What made you decide to release this track as the first single?

 

A) This felt like the right first story to tell from the EP.

 

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

 

A) The writing process is never the same for me. Sometimes I start with a lyric, a melody, a chord, sometimes just a feeling.

 

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

 

A) Ryan Marrone and I co-produced the EP, but I continue to become more and more involved in the production. Some of the next singles we release will actually be produced by myself entirely.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Cody Lovaas performance?

 

A) Hopefully, my fans will be able to feel all kinds of emotion at my show. I’ve had a successful show if they’ve danced, laughed and cried

 

Q) Where did the idea for the title of your EP Honestly come from?

 

A) Throughout the creation of this EP I evolved quite a bit as a writer. Transparency, vulnerability and honesty became hugely important to me as an artist and I felt that without these things the songs I have been creating would mean so much less to me and to the listener as well.

 

Q) What songs off your debut EP Honestly are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I love performing all of these songs, but I do really appreciate getting to step back and take a guitar solo. I do that live during “Finally Fallen” and “Why Can’t I” pretty often so those are always exciting to perform live.

 

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

 

A) I hope listeners can get to know me a bit through this EP. There’s no overarching message I’m trying to tell, but I do feel like if you want to get to know me, the best way to do it is to listen to the songs I’ve written.

 

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

 

A) It doesn’t matter where I am if I have a guitar in my hands. I feel like wherever you put me I’ll still escape to the same place in my head if I’m performing.

 

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

 

A) There are so many people I’d love to work with, but off the top of my head I’d love to work with Shoffy and Melvv.

 

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

 

A) Hablot Brown. THESE DUDES ARE INSANE. They’re actually friends of mine, but their music is incredible. Always puts me in a great mood.

 

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

 

A) It’s another way to let people peak into my life and it also allows me to learn about the people who appreciate my music which is very important to me.

 

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

 

A) THANK YOU. I love you. That’s all.