WIESE – Hear Me

By starrymag | August 25, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I make commercial electronic pop music, inspired by EDM and deep house artists such as Imanbek, R3hab, Martin Jensen and Hedegaard. But it can also be inspired by other genres, as long as it is catchy melodies and powerful beats. To be honest, I do not care if the music is defined as one or the other genre, or if people say that I waver between genres. Whenever I make a song, I tailor it the way I feel is necessary to bring out the vibe and feeling I want to convey, regardless of genre. I make music to emphasize and amplify emotions, not to adapt or satisfy predefined genres that by the end of the day means nothing.

For me, it is great to be able to mix genres and extract the best of all worlds. I emphasize that the melodies should be catchy and recognizable, at the same time as they are based on pulsating rhythms with impact and power. I believe my musical expression is in constant motion, and I have got to admit that my style has developed a lot over the past year and that it is still developing. I notice that the songs I am working on right now are quite different from what I was working on just a year ago. And, similarly, it will probably be like that in a year as well. That is one of the best things about music; it is constantly changing.

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I’m really going to reveal discrepancies in my musical tastes here, but ever since I was a kid I’ve listened to everything from Eric Clapton to Eminem and Green Day. Not to mention high-school-favorites such as Backstreet Boys, Westlife and Spice Girls. To put it mildly, not exactly representative of the genre and music I am currently making. At the same time, I think they have given me a lot of inspiration for catchy melodies and great productions. In recent years it’s hard not to mention DJs such as Avicii, Kygo, Alan Walker, Imanbek and Hedegaard.

I am also inspired by songwriters and producers who manage to push the magic button every single time. Take Max Martin for example. A Swedish hit-machine and probably one of the best writers and producers of all time. He has worked with so many great artists and written so many catchy songs. Regardless of which artists or genres he works with, he just seems to raise the bar and make it better than anyone.

 

 

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

 

A) I made “Hear Me” during the pandemic and both the lyrics and the production reflects people’s urge to take back their lives again. The song is telling a story about what lockdown has done to us as human beings, our ability to be close to each other and our need to explore things the way we used to.

The lyrics touches on the freedom after post-lockdown confinement and the excitement at the prospect of travel and adventure coming back into full swing. The arrangement and sound are also tailored to reflect this. The start of the song is relatively chill and waiting, symbolizing the time of the lockdown. The vibe of the build-up symbolizes the time with expectations just before society reopens, while the drop itself explodes in colors and life – which symbolizes the opening and time thereafter. After a year in lockdown and finally starting to see things opening again, the vibe I felt was uplifting, energetic and happy.

 

 

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

 

A) It is always difficult to draw conclusions about such, but I guess it is a combination of timing and execution. Since the challenges of the pandemic and the longing for a normal life are something we have all struggled with, it has a theme that is very easy for people to relate to. In addition, it has a sound that is popular and easy to like with engaging vocal performances.

 

 

Q) How did you come to work with singer Erin Jarvis on the track? 

 

A) Erin Jarvis was brought on to the song through my co-producer Conner Edmunds – a/k/a Callen. They are both located in Nashville, so we’ve had some great video-sessions to record Erin’s vocals. Her voice was exactly what I was looking for; tender yet powerful. Like Conner, she’s a true professional and I will definitely work with both of them again.

 

 

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

 

A) The story in the video very much reflects what I said about the evolving arrangement and sound of the song. The start of the video symbolizes the lockdown as it focuses on a single couple all by themselves, a producer all by himself in the studio and empty playgrounds. In the drop you will see that society has opened more up and in the end of the video you will see that everything explodes in a live concert with a large audience, symbolizing the return to normal life.

 

 

Q) What is your song creation process like? Do you work on a beat and then decide if lyrics should be included?

 

A) On most of my songs, including “Hear Me,” I start out by playing around with different drumbeats and bass lines, before experimenting with different synth melodies. Once this is in place, I start sketching an initial draft for the lyrics, record some demo-vocals and go back and tweak the lyrics until I am satisfied. That’s the way I like to go about it because often I feel the lyrics tend to fit better when they come as a consequence of the vibe in the melody.

Once I have got that foundation, I start adding and removing different sounds and effects until it feels about right. I usually also go back and change or tweak whatever stuff I did in the beginning to make everything fit even better together. It’s usually very much an iterative process.

 

 

Q) Conner Edmunds helped co-produce “Hear Me,” but how much of a say do you have when it comes to the production of your music?

 

A) I do most of the groundwork myself but like to get input from others to challenge my own ideas and thoughts. It can be quite time consuming, but the result is often better after getting new and fresh eyes and ears on the project. It is also very instructive and inspiring and, even though I always have the last word, it does not mean that we always end up with my ideas and input. I am very humble and will always take into consideration the opinion of other professionals. Conner is a great and super-talented young man who I respect and who always contributes with good ideas and input.

 

 

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

 

A) I am currently working on several unfinished songs that I have not yet released, but whether these will come as singles, EP or albums is not yet decided. I like to have the flexibility to do what feels right, when it feels right and do not want to plan too far in advance.

 

 

Q) With concerts having been on hold, what have you missed most about being on stage?

 

A) Being on stage is the best feeling in the world and I have missed that boiling adrenaline it always gives me. The feeling I get when I see happy people dancing to my music and perhaps even singing along is just priceless. For me, it is one of the main reasons for making music. I can hardly wait to get started properly with live performances again.

 

 

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

 

A) I have played SR-Bank Arena, former Viking Stadium (the stadium of my favorite football team) several times. With an audience of sixteen thousand, it’s an amazing feeling to have all eyes and ears on yourself. However, I also very much enjoy playing at smaller venues where you can really touch, feel, and smell the excitement of the crowd. Size does not matter, and I enjoy playing in all kinds of venues.

 

 

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

 

A) If I had ever had the unrealistic opportunity to choose from the top shelf, I would go for a trio of different genres. I have always been a huge Green Day fan, so I also got to say Billie Joe Armstrong. He’s got so much power in his voice and a stage presence like nobody else. Then, Justin Bieber, who has a very recognizable and tender vibe in his voice. I really like his story and I’ve got great respect for everything he has achieved. And, finally, Eminem to break it off with an awesome rap verse. These three artists together would make an interesting piece of song, that’s for sure.

 

 

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

 

A) I listen to so much different music, but if I had to highlight an artist I listen to a lot now, it would be the Danish DJ and producer Hedegaard. He is just so talented and makes some really powerful beats, often at the intersection of deep house and hip hop – a great combination. In addition to this, I listen to a lot of top charts and, as previously mentioned, I both listen to and get inspired by a great range of genres.

 

 

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 a great way to show people who I am and what I am doing both on and off music. And it is a great way to connect with the people who likes my music and want to engage with me. I am so lucky to have someone who is interested in what I do. For me, it is important to be available and respond to all messages I receive. People from all over the world spend time and energy writing to me, so the least I can do is show them respect and respond to them. I think it is inspiring to read the messages and I respond with the greatest pleasure.

 

 

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

 

A) I just want to say thanks to everyone who follows me and plays my music. I am grateful for every single person who listen to my songs, put them in their playlists and even shares them with others. That is not something I take for granted and I enjoy every second of it. Please do not hesitate to follow my Spotify-page and to reach out and engage with me on my Instagram-profile @iamwiese. I love hearing from all of you.