Quinn Sullivan – Wide Awake

By starrymag | July 19, 2021

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe my sound simply as a mixture of rock and roll with soul and bluesy undertones. I’m a huge fan of pop music as well so that style of music always seems to seep into what I make. I’m a fan of great melodies and music that feel timeless and can bring you to that comfy place you’re always searching for.

 

Q) Which three albums influenced you the most in your music career?

 

A) I’d have to begin with the Beatles number ones album they put out. It was the first album I’d ever gotten from a family member as a kid. It changed my life forever. It’s one of those compilation albums that has all of their number one songs from 1963-1970. I knew I wanted to be a musician after listening to that album for the first time. The second album that influenced me most is an album called Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek and the Dominos. I’m a huge Eric Clapton fan, so hearing that album for the first time really changed the way I thought about the guitar and how I approached songwriting. Some of my favorite musical moments ever are on that album, whether it be the solo Duane Allman plays at the end of “Layla” or the vocal harmonies in “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad,” it all just blows me away every time I hear it. The third album I’d say that has had an influence on me only in these last couple of years is an album by Tame Impala called Currents. I’m a massive fan of Kevin Parker’s production and songwriting and arrangements, so when I first listened to this album it really made me realize the endless possibilities you have as an artist to create essentially anything you want. I think it’s a groundbreaking album for many reasons, but mainly because it’s just a melodically perfect album front to back.

 

Q) Tell us a little more about your upcoming album Wide Awake.

 

A) It was written and recorded in Los Angeles. A producer by the name of Oliver Leiber produced it and co-wrote most of the songs with me. The process began at the end of 2018 where I flew out to meet Oliver for the first time. The plan was to just write some songs and see if there was chemistry. We sat down in his studio and wrote a song called “She’s Gone,” which remains one of my personal favorite songs on the new album. I knew from those first few writing sessions that Oliver was the guy I wanted to produce this album. We come from similar places musically, so the process went smoothly because we were always on the same page most of the time. The whole album took about a year and a half to write and record, but I purposely wanted to take my time on this one because I wanted to make sure these songs felt honest and the music that I was making was the music I wanted to make and coming from a real place. It’s my best work yet I think. It feels like a coming-of-age album for me. I’m so proud of this body of work and these songs.

 

Q) You recently released a music video for “In A World Without You,” which I am absolutely loving! How did you come up with the concept for the video?

 

A) Thank you! I knew for this song I wanted the music video to capture a “live” vibe with an actual band in the video. I called some friends of mine, who are all brilliant musicians, who own a beautiful studio called Building Records in Marlboro, NY to see if they wanted to be a part of this. Once we all got in the studio, I knew this was going to come out great. I always felt very strong about this song, so I’m so pleased with how the video came out and I’m so excited that people can finally listen to it.

 

Q) Which song on the album was the most for you to write and record?

 

A) I’d say “Baby Please” took the longest to write and record. The reason was because originally Oliver and I had the idea of using a drum machine for this song, to have an influence of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing.” But once we had finished writing the song, we had changed our minds and felt as though it would be better if we used a real drummer on the song, just so it felt more cohesive to the other songs and not out of place on the album. We had an amazing drummer named Aaron Sterling come in to play on the song and I thought he brought exactly what the song needed. It reminds me of something Bill Withers would arrange.

 

Q) What do you hope fans take away from Wide Awake?

 

A) I hope fans take away who I really am as an artist after listening to the new album. I put so much time and energy into these new songs. They feel like me in the best ways possible. All the songs truly resemble who I am as a songwriter and who I am as a musician. I hope people take these songs into their own hands and maybe they will relate to some of what I talk about on the album. I love when music can bring you to a certain place or certain time in your life, so hopefully my music will be able to have that same effect on people.

 

Q) As you have been touring since you were eleven years old, what would you consider your go-to guitar for live performance and why?

 

A) A Fender Stratocaster all the way. I’ve always loved Fender guitars and the way they sound live. I never have to think or overthink anything when I’m playing a Strat. It just feels so comfortable to me, and I can play any style of music on one of those guitars. You cannot beat it.

 

Q) Having the chance to not only share the stage with music icon Buddy Guy, but also perform on Guy’s album Skin Deep. What was the best advice that he gave you that you have applied to your own musical career?

 

A) The best advice I’ve ever learned from Buddy is to always give 100% of what you have every single time you step on stage. I watched him do that for a decade. I’ve been with him when he’s been sick, even watching him lose family members, and no matter what happens in his life, he seems to always step on stage and give it his all. So, that’s something I respect and admire deeply and I sort of feel like you must do that and carry on that same skill of leaving all your life’s stresses behind for an hour and a half and being in the moment on stage and giving the audience what they came there for. Music is the best way I know how to alleviate any stress and it’s the best way I know how to express myself.

 

Q) Not only have you performed with Buddy Guy, but you have also shared the stage with musical greats B.B. King and Carlos Santana. Who would you love to work with one day that you have not had a chance to yet?

 

A) Three names come to mind immediately. Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and John Mayer are three artists that I admire deeply and are massively influenced by and would absolutely love to work with any of them one day. They are all musical icons in my opinion so to have the chance to work with any of them would just be absolutely insane.

 

Q) I recently had a chance to watch your 2019 show at Daryl’s House on YouTube, which was phenomenal! What has been one of your favorite venues to perform at?

 

A) Thanks!! That show was a fun one. I have gotten the chance to play at some amazing venues over the years. One venue that always comes to mind is Red Rocks in Colorado. There’s something about the history of that place that you can really feel when you perform there. Another venue is the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. I’ve gotten to perform there twice and it’s a truly magical venue to have a chance to play at. Also, I’ve performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival three times and I swear it’s the most beautiful city I’ve ever gotten to travel to and play at. It never gets old.

 

Q) As venues have started opening back up for live performances, what do you look forward to the most with getting back in front of a live audience?

 

A) I can’t wait for human interaction and human connection. There’s something about Zoom or live streaming that isn’t quite the same feeling as being around other people and sharing a moment together in one space, so once I’m able to get back to that, I’ll be happy.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

 

A) I’d like to first and foremost thank them all for coming along with me on this journey, with all the detours that come with being a musician and an artist. They have really stuck by my side through it all and I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support from all of them around the world. I still can’t believe people in India, Brazil or people in France know who I am. It still blows me away every time I get a message from someone from across the world. I’m excited to keep growing and bringing new people on the ride with me.

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the Video For “In a World Without You”