Feelz – The One

By starrymag | October 28, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Feel good emotional pop EDM. I really like to have relatable lyrics that hit the listeners emotions.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Diplo, Marshmello, Kygo and Illenium. Diplo would be my all-time favorite. He is by far the best all-around DJ and tastemaker in my eyes. I also really love the marketability of Marshmello and the teamwork he has with his manager. Kygo has a true creative mind that sets him apart that I love. Finally, Illenium really hits my emotions with his music. Almost every song he puts out is relatable.

I think each of them offer a special thing that draws me in, and I try my best to learn from each of those things.

 

Q) How has your time in Nashville played a role in the music you make?

 

A) I think making the move from LA to Nashville really gave me a life reset. It is so much more relaxing here than LA. People in the south are so much nicer as well so far.

 

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

 

A) I began writing the track two years ago or so and kinda hit a point where I felt like maybe I need to reach out to someone to collaborate. I sent the track to my good friend Ron Black to write some ideas for a small piano part in the pre-chorus and from there we ended up changing a few things and being fully happy with the production. I then sent the song to Sara Skinner to write to and do a demo. She knocked it out pretty quickly and wanted to be the featured singer on the track. So, the plan was to release it with her on it. Down the road a bit Sara decided to change up her artist project and become Killboy. When that happened, she could no longer be the featured singer. I started looking for other singers and really no one worked that I found. Until I heard Devries and her voice just really brought the song to life and we went with her about three months before the song was released.

 

Q) How did you come to team with DeVries for the vocals?

 

A) I was sent her profile by an artist friend of mine. I reached out to her after listening to all of her songs on Spotify and boom we knocked it out. She was all about it from the moment she heard it.

 

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

 

A) I think the relatability in the lyrics and the chill vibes of the production just make it a song you can listen to anywhere. I independently released the song as my first song for the Feelz project and we are at over 200k on Spotify and around 500k total in just over a month so clearly people are really loving the vibes.

 

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

 

A) The lyrical video was supposed to just take you to a happy place. It is a wonderful beach and island type video that just makes you feel like you are disconnected from the world for the three minutes and twenty seconds you watch it.

 

Q) “The One” was written by Killboy, but what is your songwriting process? For songs with lyrics, do you come up with the music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) The writing for this track was solo done by Sara Skinner a/k/a Killboy. She heard it and just did her thing. As for other tracks, I do my best to help and come up with ideas but writing just isn’t my expertise yet.

 

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

 

A) All of the production for my music is done by myself and sometimes a co producer with me having final say on what stays and goes. I think that it’s important if you need help, to get help. I am not an expert at all things sadly, so I get help when needed. For this track I needed someone with amazing piano skills and a deep knowledge of chord progressions. I reached out to Ron Black, and he helped me make this a hit.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) At this time, I have enough songs to have an album, but I think our plan as a team is to release singles until I am a large enough artist that an album will actually be viable. Music has changed so much throughout the years and it’s really hard to release an album as an independent artist. You would need a lot of capital to really push it to be heard in my opinion.

 

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

 

A) I would say anywhere in Tennessee. I am from here and to see people locally you personally know come out and support you is amazing. I would love to one day headline at Ascend in Nashville TN or something similar.

 

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

 

A) Diplo would be my number one DJ to collaborate with. My number one singer I would like to work with would be Kelsea Ballerini.

 

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

 

A) I am really into the upcoming bands, and I am digging The F1rst Annual. Producer wise, I really like Flume’s older music.

 

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

 

A) I think, for me, I need to show them what I am doing and try to be as real as I can so they can truly connect and relate to me as an artist. I want to try to be as authentic as I can be.

 

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

 

A) Thank you so much for following me on my journey.