Fritz Hager – Caroline

By starrymag | March 20, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound? 

 

A) My sound has changed so much over the past year, and I expect it to continue to evolve throughout my career. But right now, I think I’ve landed comfortably in the indie pop/rock sound. I like to describe the songs I write as a balance between comedy and tragedy, each piece tuned to a different level.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Early on, when I first started to write, I drew a lot of inspiration from artists like John Mayer and Ed Sheeran; but as I continue to fine-tune my sound, I find myself drawing from many different artists that I just enjoy listening to. So, now we’re looking at a mix of really known artists like The 1975, Harry Styles or James Bay to bands and artists like Toto and Tears for Fears from further back and even to more underground artists that I find along the way. I believe that is how music has evolved so much over the generations. It’s a sort of creative snowball effect that time brings.

 

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

 

A) Honestly, this song was a happy accident. We went into the studio with a completely blank slate and just decided to commit to the first idea that came along. Once we found the tone, this sitcom-esque one night stand story really just wrote itself.

 

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

 

A) We had so much fun writing this song and building it into what it is now, and I think that is what cuts through to people. As I said before, it’s a balance between comedy and tragedy. Sometimes it’s great to write a song for people to scream and cry to, but I think it’s equally important to just let loose and have fun. I think that is what “Caroline” achieves.

 

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

 

A) This song on the surface is really just a jam for people to rock out to, but on a deeper level it’s really satirical. Over the past year I have been thinking a lot on what it looks like to be a man in modern times. and I found myself writing these songs with ridiculous stories about one night stands and love and everything in-between just to show how comical the male fantasy is and how what we want doesn’t, and really shouldn’t, always reflect reality.

 

Q) You teamed up with Drew Pearson and fellow “American Idol” alum Francisco Martin to pen this track. What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) We really had so much fun writing this song. Francisco is a dope collaborator, and Drew is truly a wizard. It was such an honor to be able to create this with them. My writing process usually starts on guitar and, once we get something we can work with, I either try to focus on the imagery that pops into my head while listening or I try to pinpoint the emotion that the music brings. After that it’s just finding all the pieces to the puzzle and fitting them together. I guess I start with the big picture of what I want the song to be, then focus on the micro afterwards.

 

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

 

A) I like to be pretty involved in the production, but right now and especially back when we tracked the song last year, I just didn’t know how to use the tools at my disposal. I usually know what I want to hear in a track, but I need help achieving it. All that said, I know when to sort of hand the reins over to whatever producer I’m working with. The entire recording process is a collaborative effort, so the last thing I want to do is limit other peoples’ input in the studio and micromanage them. Like I said, Drew is a wizard, so more often than not I just let him do his thing because I know it’s gonna be amazing regardless.

 

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

 

A) I think so! We’ve planned out the next couple releases and the goal is to snowball into a full project.

 

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

 

A) As much as I love a small intimate setting, I played a stadium at Leah Marlene’s hometown concert last year and I caught the bug. The goal is to be able to play stadiums all the time someday, so I’m gonna do all I can to get back there in the future.

 

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

 

A) Matty Healy. That’s it. Just him. If I can get into a room with him, I would die a happy man.

 

Q) We loved you on “American Idol.” What did you personally take away or learn from your experience on the show?

 

A) I always say it has to be the first thing Katy Perry said to me during my audition. Let people know who you are from the first note that you sing. Know who you are as an artist and be able to show people that. In my head that comes down to honesty. Be sincere in your art and the rest will follow.

 

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

 

A) I still haven’t stopped listening to Being Funny in a Foreign Language by The 1975 since it came out. Every time I listen to it I find something new that I fall in love with and, honestly, it’s one of the few albums that I’m able to listen to the entirety of in one sitting. Like the rest of the world, I have been a victim of TikTok indoctrination, and they have me in a chokehold that seems to go on for the foreseeable future.

 

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 it is easy for artists to take the tool that is social media for granted. Other than fans coming to see me when I play live, we have a direct link to each other all of the time from all across the world. Compare that to pre-internet times, it was impossible to have that direct line of communication with fans. And, ultimately, they are the only reason I am able to do what I love, so the least I can do is post a couple TikToks every week and keep them up to date on my life and my music. It’s a powerful tool and I think that every artist will be so much more successful if instead of pushing it away, they fully embrace it.

 

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

 

A) Truly, you are the only reason I am able to create music. I remember where I was last year and where I am now, and it still blows my mind that anyone knows or cares about my art. So, really all I can say is thank you, and I will constantly do my best to earn the blessing you have given me. Only love. x