LAYTO – The Low Boy

By starrymag | May 16, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A)  I like to blend different genres and styles. I would say I make primarily “pop” record but depending on my mood or the vibe I’m feeling it could have a hip-hop influence, an alternative feel or could be more rock-based. I’ve never been shy about my affinity for pop music, so a lot of my music echoes that. I like to write anthemic records and sonically I like a lot of percussive elements. For some of my happier-style songs, you might hear more of an island/reggae style. If I’m in a lower mood, you’ll hear a heavy bass-line and heavy percussive sounds.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) There are so many artists that inspire me. Growing up, I was inundated with a lot of Motown artists, like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. I think that really gave me an appreciation for melody. I also went through a big classic rock phase with bands like Aerosmith and Zeppelin and I think that gave me a very strong sense of emotion and songwriting. But as far as today, the three bands that I would say ‘influence’ my music would be Train, Twenty One Pilots and Imagine Dragons. I just love Pat Monahan’s voice and songwriting. He writes the prettiest melodies and just has the best voice. Imagine Dragons were the first band I really felt a connection to. A lot of Dan Reynold’s lyrics just spoke to me. It seemed we shared a lot of the same existential angst and it translated for me. I also really love that call and response style they employ and took that with me for my own music. Twenty One Pilots, more recently, really spoke to me again as well. They bend and blend rules and genres, and no two songs are the same. I admire that and try and emulate that.

 

Q) How did you get the name LAYTO?

 

A) My name, LAYTO, comes from a very sacred…Actually, I think I will keep the origin of my name open to interpretation. [laughs]

 

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

 

A) “The Way” came about really when I woke up one morning and just felt like I could accomplish anything. It was like clarity to put any of my circumstances aside, however low and dire they seemed. I felt like my whole life I was constantly searching for answers and purpose. It’s about self-empowerment and kind of rising up. I titled it “They Way” because as I was writing it I truly felt like it was the way to a better life. I didn’t write it with any expectations other than to inspire myself.

 

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

 

A) I think the most beautiful thing about music is that you take a song and apply it to your own life, and then it holds great meaning. I think what fans like about “The Way” is its authenticity. I don’t think I’m unique in that I want to find my purpose and have low moments in my life. I think a lot of people share that same sentiment. I think fans of the record apply that journey to their own lives, and maybe they too feel inspired and hopeful that there is a light end the end of the tunnel per say.

 

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

 

A) I tried to emulate that kind of “reaching for the light” feel in my lyric video. This song is meant to inspire hope, so I wanted the accompanying lyric video to emulate that.

 

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

 

A) For me, songwriting takes on different forms. Usually, I like to create a soundscape and instrumental and then I’ll write the accompanying lyrics. I like to play around with different sounds. Lyrically, I never toil. If I’m not feeling it, then I don’t write. I don’t believe your lyrics should be forced because that’s disingenuous. So, a lot of the songs I’ve written, with the exception of a couple, I wrote in like ten to twenty minutes. I like to literally walk when I’m writing melodies or lyrics, something about the movement inspires me.

 

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

 

A) Some artists may write a few melodies of a song or strictly the lyrics or compose the music, etc. And then, usually, an artist will have a producer oversee the entire track and add to it so it’s not so “bare” and more of a finished record. I like to have a heavy thumbprint on all my tracks. Production was my first love. I create all my production ideas and I’m the executive producer on every single track. For me, it’s important to do that because if it’s something I’m going to release to my fans I want it to be a LAYTO record all the way through.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live LAYTO performance?

 

A) I want to do things differently live. Going to concerts, ‘ve seen shows that have made me salivate and I have seen shows that make me want to delete an artist from my iTunes. The biggest thing I hope to bring to my shows is authenticity. I want the audience to know that when they see me live that they are really seeing me. I want to leave it all on the stage and be passionate. That’s what I, as an audience member, always resonate with. Fans are smart. When an artist is being him/herself it shows and that’s an important thing to me. I want people to leave my show feeling I gave them the best show I could.

 

Q) What songs off your The Low BoyEP are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) I picked these four specific songs off The Low Boy EP because I felt they all represented and embodied a part of me that contributed to being a low boy. I love singing “The Low Boy” as it’s fast-tempo and the rap-style lyrics really engage me. We finish the set with “Little Poor Me” and that’s very rock-orientated and anthemic. That’s the most powerful song to sing as I’m basically screaming the chorus. I love singing that live.

 

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

 

A) I hope fans get a sense of who I am as an artist. This EP is an origin story. I want someone who stumbles across my music to become introduced to me and to the things I went through to get to where I am now. I hope that resonates with fans and they become acquainted with the low boy.

 

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

 

A) My last show was at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. That was a completely new experience. Such a legitimate set-up, a great sound system and a big but intimate feel. Early on, I was used to playing little pub-style gigs, with like ten people in the audience and eight of them were my friends. I have an appreciation for those gigs though because they are just about the music. There are no expectations, so you can try things out and really find your live performance.

 

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

 

A) There are so many artists I would love to write with. I’ve always wanted to write with Pat Monahan. I feel we share a similar like mindedness in melody and really just want to hang with him. [laughs] I also would LOVE to work with Daya. I think she’s such a brilliant songwriter. From conception to production, it’s just brilliant. Hopefully, someday we can link up in the studio.

 

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

 

A) I actually just listened through Bazzi’s debut album Cosmic. I’m really vibing him right now. He’s got such a unique cadence and sings beautiful hooks. I really think he’s the next big pop/R&B artist for the future. That whole album is just straight bedroom jams.

 

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

 

A) Social media is everything. It’s more than just a way to plug your gigs/content and, honestly, it has to be more than that. We live in a different climate now and artists are expected to their fans on a more intimate level. I will admit, I am probably a little more enigmatic on social media than what a typical artist’s posts. I do like the idea of having my private life be my private life and certain things are sacred to just me. But I want to make sure I share my musical journey with fans. I want to hear what they think and get feedback. I think that’s important for an artist, you know? Don’t be too pretentious or arrogant. Listen to your audience and engage with them. We’re are all just humans.

 

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

 

A) To everyone who has supported me and continues to support me, I want to say it means more than I could possibly convey here. It’s the support that reaffirms me to continue to release music and speak my truth. I’m grateful and humbled every day for anyone who wants to listen to what I have to say. People are beautiful.