Fox Stevenson – Like That

By starrymag | June 22, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

 

Q) What was the inspiration behind your new song “Like That?”

A) This may come as a little bit of a surprise to people, but this one was a bit more specific. The initial spark for writing this song was actually a Stephen King villain called Randal Flagg.

In The Stand (one of the books he appears in) I was really beguiled by his initial introduction as a force of chaos that has been present and partially responsible for all decisions leading to unrest or conflict, playing both sides against each other.

I springboarded off this idea into writing from the perspective of a character that has a kind of backstage pass on reality, the kind to play cards with Illuminati lizards or know to than Poseidon for some choice waves.

Q) What were some challenges you faced while writing and recording the track? 

A) The hardest part was writing a second verse. I really felt like I had nailed the first verse completely and was finding it really hard to continue the song along in the same level of quality.

I went through a lot of different ideas like maybe having a moral or like an ending to some kind of story that was set up in the first verse, but eventually just ended up being more of a continuation of the themes and imagery. I was satisfied to be able to wrap it all up with the little caution of “a tin foil hat does more than you know,” which for me was meant to mean it’s worth entertaining the crazy ideas because you never know when they’re going to be right.

Q) How does the song show you’ve grown as an artist?

A) I think post album Fox Stevenson has learnt a lot structuring and what makes a good fox song vs a bad one, viewed in the isolation my own back catalogue. It’s not up to me to decide how I match up outside of that!

I think like that really represents the way It’s possible to write a dance track without compromising on songwriting, possibly more so than I’ve ever been able to.

Of course, this is only my own assessment and I’m a firm believer that the creator is the person who knows the least about their creations value. So there’s that!

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

A) Currently, I’m most enjoying crafting singles into their own independent fully realized packages, just getting the track right for what it is.

With EPs and albums everything on there is associated with each other and I feel a need to give each track identity within that framework, so that the album or EP as a whole is balanced, with single tracks you just make the track the best it can be in isolation.

Q) The music industry has changed a lot over the years – with now online streaming services. Would you say it makes it easier or harder for you to get your music out there for people from around the world to listen to?

A) I guess it entirely depends on how much your listeners are waiting for your next track. It’s easier to reach your listeners, but it’s easier for everyone. So, it’s become a bit of a noise storm. Hopefully, you can capture the imagination of people enough that you can hold their attention for three minutes above your peers because at the end of the day, when someone chooses to listen to your track, they’re allocating that time to you, and time is finite, we mustn’t forget that.

Q) Why do you think music has provided such a comfort during this time of uncertainty?

A) I believe people hear what they want to hear in music and a lot of people want to be comforted right now…

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

A) I’d love to do something with Aesop Rock or Post Malone or collaborate and sing on a track with Marshmello or Tinashe. I think those would all be interesting

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

A) My two favorite albums of late have been Wide Awake by Rayland Baxter and No One Ever Really Dies by N.E.R.D. I keep going back to those. Rayland writes beautiful songs with vocal melodies that feel amazing to join in with. And that N.E.R.D album is like nothing else!! Just listen to it cover to cover it’s crazy.

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 at this point there’s become a lovely community of people that want to know more and delve deeper into what Fox Stevenson is and I’m more than happy to facilitate that! I know that if you treat people right, they’ll treat you right (for the most part) and every single person who listens to my music is someone with their own complex and challenging life, not a number. So, I do my best to respect them, and in return I think people support me where they can. [smiles]

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

A) Just thank you and that I hope that me making one song you don’t like isn’t enough for you to write me off forever. A musical body of work is a meandering journey (for me at least), stick along for the ride!