Van Alden

By starrymag | November 1, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Truthfully, I have trouble answering this question every time! [laughs] I would say the music comes from influences of folk/alternative/urban/electronica. I really try to create an ambient/mood with my music.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) There’s really so many to list, but I’d say some of the recent front runners are: odezenne, Radiohead, Joji, Eliot Moss, flagship and mad rad.

 

Q) How did you decide to create an EP over a full album?

A) The whole process of getting the EP out was a journey in and of itself – a lot of ups & downs, self discovery and confidence building. I wanted to put something small & digestible out to see what I could ultimately accomplish with it.

 

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

A) It depends. If I’m telling a story, I don’t need music. I just start writing about it. If there’s a super cool track that we create on the spot, then I’ll curate the lyrics to fit the way the song makes me feel/think.

 

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

A) A pretty big hand. We have a small team of artists/producers in Van Alden. We all just get together, drink beer, nerd out and make music. It’s genuinely awesome.

 

Q) Your song “Sinners” has become a fast fan favorite. What inspired you to create this track?

 

A) It’s actually my favorite as well. Without getting into too much detail, it was just super relatable/paralleled with life in the moment. I wrote that song with an acoustic guitar, during a spontaneous trip to Palm Springs.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Van Alden performance? 

A) The shows are going to be pretty casual/intimate. We’re there to have a good time just like everyone else. Playing this music is our escape from reality too.

 

Q) With this EP you noted that you wanted to explore the perceived idea of you as a reality star. What do you want to be sure you clarify is the differences between Paul from Big Brother and Paul as Van Alden?

A) I mean, I don’t really like to live in the “reality star” title. Big Brother was just something fun I did along my journey. I had a great time and it gave me an incredible platform, but I also have other interests and passions outside of television that I want to explore and succeed in.

 

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

A) I really just hope that it gives them some escape for a short period of time. Whether it brings out emotions, clarity or a moment to turn your mind off, I hope the listener ends up in a more pleasant state of mind.

 

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

A) Oh man, so many artists. I’d love to collaborate with Bishop Briggs, Electric Guest, Elliot Moss and Joji. I think we could make something cool. 🤘🏼

 

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

A) I’ve recently come across this German rapper, RIN, while I was traveling through Japan. Particularly the album Eros I think he just released. I have no idea what the fuck he’s saying, but it’s so good.

 

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 social media is such a wicked tool that a lot of people abuse/underestimate. I don’t want to influence people with surface level bullshit. I’d rather build an honest connection with my fan base and promote wholesome bullshit.

 

Q) What does it mean/how does it feel knowing you have influenced and changed peoples perspectives in so many different ways because of the ability to have a social connection with fans and being able to express feelings that others can relate to through creating music?

A) Indescribable feeling. A lot of it still hasn’t registered as real yet in my brain. It’s something I’ve dreamed about doing since I was young. Music has got me through a lot in life, it’s always been there to accompany every emotion/feeling – it boils down to me wanting to share that with other people.

 

Q) We’ve been “Team Friendship” since your first appearance on Big Brother. (Shout out to Pablo!) Would you be down for returning to the house for one more go?

A) [laughs] That’s awesome, fuck yeah. Seeing as I’ve already made it to the end of the game in two different scenarios, I feel the only one left would be some kind of all-stars season. If tour/studio schedules permit, I think it’d be interesting to test my strategies in that environment.

 

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

A) First off, thank you for supporting and believing in me. I truly owe it to you guys. Extremely excited to continue this journey. I’m hungry for more.