Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
Out Like Trout is all about being drama-free, basking in positivity, and doing your own thing.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
Ouuu, good question. So many to choose from! I had a lot of fun with “always bubbly, soda/show off the pearls, boba” but I also think the mental health shoutout with “mind playing games but I’m boxing it out/left hook, jab, knocking it out” deserves mention too.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
I think what’s really cool is that, probably due to streaming and technology, a lot of artists who would have been considered underground 10, 20 years ago have established sizeable fanbases and are able to make a comfortable living. There’s always going to be a tug-and-pull between underground and mainstream, emerging and established artists, but the lines are definitely blurring. And I think that’s great for music as a whole.
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
Evolution. Even trap has evolved. T.I’s album Trap Muzik from 2003, Gucci Mane in the early 2010s, and Migos in the last few years all sound different, just as an example. The exciting thing about hip-hop is you’ve got both a rich history to draw from, like Drake is doing with soul samples and Grizelda are doing with raw bars, but it’s also moving with technology and you’ve got guys like Kanye always experimenting. Inspiration from the past, excitement for the future. Always scenes bubbling too, like the Detroit scam-rap scene that mixes 80s sounds with offbeat raps. I wouldn’t have been able to predict that! Or New York drill borrowing from London drill borrowing from Chicago drill. But it all slaps. Just keep evolving. And if it gets redundant, I’ll switch to K-pop.
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
Tell us a few things about your new song Hot Summer. What is the story behind it?
I wrote the song last summer when we were all in lockdown. The fires in California were rampant, the skies were hazy and red, and the sun looked like a harvest moon. I’d sit there trying to write, make use of all this free time I now had to “be productive”. No air conditioning, I’d have sweat dripping down my face, staring at a computer screen, and feel as though I was suffocating in more ways than one.
Which is kind of what it’s like to pursue a dream in Los Angeles. It’s like you’ve been dropped in this desert, and as the years go by you become more and more disillusioned and delusional in your chase. Smothered by the heat, the mirages start to look more realistic, more attainable. If you could just walk a little further, hold out a little longer, maybe you’d make it to water. It’s a never ending heat that wears you down into a grain of sand. One of millions, lost amongst the others who came before you, and walked over by those who will come after you.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
You know, it’s funny because I’ve always thought I had to like collaborating. And every time I did it felt as though I wasn’t being true to the song; creating some puff piece that I didn’t care about. It’s really hard for me to open up with someone I’ve just met. To be vulnerable and bold enough to speak my mind. Not to mention that I’m a control freak who likes things exactly one way, which is why I’ve taught myself how to produce and mix over the years. All that said, I should definitely get better at cowriting.
So in that sense, songwriting has never been lonely for me. I’ve never wanted someone else in that space with me. When I’m writing, I don’t feel alone. There’s something else there with you. I cherish those moments when I tap into that and it feels as though time is floating.
Favourite album of the past decade?
I have two. Madison Cunningham’s Who Are You Now and Fiona Apple’s The Idler Wheel… I don’t obsess over entire albums often. If I love an album, it’s because of the lyrics; I have to feel personally invested in them. The music draws me in initially, but what seals the deal is when lyrics articulate something so specific that I never even realized could be articulated. It’s like I’m enlightened to a new state of being when I hear it. And then when every song on the album does that for me? I’m hooked.
What do you love/hate about LA?
I want to write about LA all of the time because it’s such an elusive city. It gives so much, yet takes so much away. I love the energy. The creativity, the culture, the diversity; the fact that there’s always something going on no matter what day it is. I love being in it and amongst it; the struggle that is a vast community of artists collaborating, trying to make a living doing what they love.
What do I hate about LA? Parking, egos, and the west side are my top three. (Sorry Hollywood lovers).
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I like to think my music is a mood setter, one that creates an introspective state of mind. Something you’d play on a late night drive when you’ve got a long road ahead of you. When there’s no one else around and there’s a clear view of the stars. And you feel at peace and connected with yourself or the world, but not without a twinge of sadness.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I was a goody two-shoes with a loud guilty conscience growing up. Which didn’t leave much room for getting into any interesting kind of trouble outside of being grounded for not cleaning out the cat litter. The trouble I end up getting myself into is much more subconscious. I never choose it.
Like the time I was in Rome on a college trip and got separated from my group wandering around a corner store. It was late, I had no idea how to get back to the hotel (nor did I even know the name of the hotel itself), and I spoke zero Italian. After asking various passersby, store owners, and some policeman, I got myself on a bus that I prayed was in the general direction of where I needed to go. Without knowing what my stop was, or what landmarks to look for, I serendipitously looked out the window and saw our hotel. Long story short, turns out the corner store I got lost in had a downstairs. Which is where everyone in my group had gone…
It’s so hard to pick just a few words to describe my entire sound, but I will try my best! To answer the question, I would have to say the three words to describe my sound would be “Underground ambient rap”.
Tell us a few things about your new work “Tried To Swim In Lava”.
So tried to swim in lava started being created as long as a year ago and as recently as a month or two before the album dropped. Originally it was going to be a collaboration EP between me and a friend of mine Shottythebeam, but quickly evolved into a full album as I got more and more invested. The album has an overarching theme of loss, heartbreak, and cycles of relationships. The songs themselves though also have their own meaning and work as standalone pieces, and that was really my entire intention. To create something that could be great on its own and every piece of it be just as great!
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
I honestly think every song on this project shows a part of me or describes who I am as a person, I can honestly only narrow it down to three at the least because they’re specifically personal to me, those would be Sunshine, A Concrete Jungle in Flames, and Obituary. These three songs were all written for specific times, emotions, and states of mind personal to me and my life.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
This question is also hard because there are so many people who’ve influenced me, as well as my art, I’ll name a couple of big ones though just so that this response doesn’t go on forever. A lot of the main influences on tried to swim in lava came from artists like Joji, Bo Burnham, lil peep, and Gorillaz. On the other hand I also produce my own music, with the exception of some of the songs in this album that were made by Shottythebeam, and my favorite and most influential producers would have to be KennyBeats, Damien Albarn, Tyler Joseph, and Smokeasac.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my artistic life so far has to be trying to get exposure and finding the funds for all the equipment it takes to produce, record, mix, and master my music. I started out only using GarageBand on my phone with headphone speakers to record on and since then have gained real recording equipment, midi controllers, Logic Pro, and other equipment that helps my music become what it is. I’m so fortunate to have what I do and I never let a day go by where I’m not thankful for it. I’m sure anyone can imagine what the struggle trying to get exposure is like, but there’s something about putting out a song or work of art that you put so much effort into and not seeing it do as well as you know it deserves to, it just hits hard. That’s the life of a small artist though and it’s helped me to push through my self doubt and keep doing what I love.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I hope that people can listen to my music in a ton of different states of mind! I try to diversify my music to the point where if someone isn’t feeling one song they can go to another and find their vibe there! For example Sunshine is a super upbeat, summery track written to express love and happiness, on the other hand we have Ben drowned which is a dark, ambient song with lyrics about being broken and not getting the treatment you deserve.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Oh gosh, I’ve definitely gotten into a decent amount of trouble in the time I’ve been alive, but that was all years ago! There was one occasion that comes to mind though where around thanksgiving me and some friends at the time drove an hour away from home to a different town to meet up with someone and sufficed to say it didn’t turn out very well. We ended up running from the police and we all had to be picked up from our parents at the police station that night. I was also on probation at the time so my PO was NOT happy about that incident!
Each member of the band comes from a different background. How do all these different influences fit together? Tell us a few things about your creative process
The creative process is very therapeutic for me. It usually starts with a feeling. I like writing lyrics so I try to explain why I have this feeling with words. I try to paint a picture of what I’m feeling. I also like to show how clever I am. So I am also thinking of metaphors and punchlines that will help me further explain my thought process. I write often, whenever I think of something, so I have material on hand. When we are creating a song I usually like to hear what the band has come up with. I get a feeling from the music they create and write from there and a lot of times I can pull in other ideas I’ve written down previously.
We love the fact that you released a full album. Do people listen to full albums nowadays?
I believe people still listen to full albums. I do. I know several other people that do. I think music heads do for sure.
Do you prefer writing music in the studio or performing live? And what would be your dream performance venue?
I actually love both. I love the creative process and just spending the time in the studio. Those are some of the most fondest moments to me. I also love the rush from performing live. My dream venue would be the Firefly Music Festival. It is held in my hometown, Dover Delaware, and it would be an honor to play for my home crowd and where so many legendary acts have played.
What would you change in the music industry?
We just released our debut album independently and are still navigating the industry. I’ve been trying to navigate it for the past 10 years as a solo artist but I expected the challenges, I knew I had to learn things, I knew I had to make mistakes. The process is the process. Im not sure if I would change anything. Maybe in 5 years I’ll have a better answer.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Probably running some other kind of business. I’m more of an entrepreneur. I want to own my own business.
One last thing we should know about you?
We are in the process of recording our second album. So new music is on the way.
Tell us a few things about your new song”ON&ON” . What is the main idea behind it?
I wrote this song to a beat that a guy sold to me on Instagram. The sound is kind of a blend of pop, hip hop, and rock, which is why I think a lot of people like the sound. The lyrics are about struggling to fight for your dreams and passions, but at least having your close friends there beside you for the journey. Without these people, even achieving your dreams would feel pretty meaningless.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
“If it wasn’t for you, I’d chase the money alone. Even if I had it all, you know I’d come back to an empty home. Your dreams feel like a prison if your friends are all long gone.”
Favourite album of the past decade?
ARTPOP by Lady Gaga
Is Spotify the music industry’s new Gatekeepers?
Completely.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
I personally don’t watch many movies, but I had a rerun marathon of Casa de Las Flores, which will always be one of my favorite shows.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Follow your bliss. It is the most practical thing you could do with your life. Also stream Kristian J ❤
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
This new track is about the refugee experience and was inspired by a conversation I had with a friend of mine who had spent years imprisoned – fighting for the rights of the most marginalized in his community. Even after all the trauma he went through, his spirit and hope for freedom were still unbreakable. I drew inspiration from his story and from others who had gone through similar situations. I wanted to highlight the perspective of those that have been forced into conflict and had no other choice but to fight for survival or to leave their homes. At the same time, it is also a reminder that the greatest casualties are often the poorest and most marginalized individuals.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
This is a really good question. It’s a hard choice. I’m pretty proud of the entire chorus as it sums up the experience concisely and gets to the main message of the song which continues to be relevant now with what is happening in Afghanistan.
“Now we’re coming under fire, The odds are getting higher, Our city’s sole survivors will watch you raze it to the ground. Are you fighting fire with fire? ’cause greed’s a justifier, And all that we desire is that you lay your weapons down.”
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Jeff Buckley taught me a lot about delivery and the importance of being raw/authentic. D’Angelo taught me the joy and possibilities of using vocal harmonies to create soundscapes. Joni Mitchell and other singer-songwriters from the 60s and 70s taught me how to tell a story with detail, sensitivity, and depth.
How Important are political statements by music artists? Can music have an impact on politics?
I think that music can be a powerful tool to inspire conversation and bring awareness to issues in our world/community. It can also reflect the collective emotions and perspectives of the people and help them to feel seen and represented. In the end, each artist decides what they feel compelled to say at that moment and how they choose to process what is happening in their environment. I can think of several big artists that have used their platform to impact politics. I try to write music that will help people understand different perspectives and situations. Hopefully through that people will be able to make more informed and empathetic day-to-day decisions about things that might be affecting their communities. If it goes far enough to even affect who they put in office, then it’s a bonus.
If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?
wow. hard question. I’m not sure. Possibly anything from Alejandro González Iñárritu or Oliver Stone.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I think that choosing to go into music was the most ‘trouble’ I’ve gotten into! It’s a path that always puts the artist in a vulnerable position financially, emotionally, psychologically, and artistically, especially if you have something to say. However, if music calls you, it’s not a choice but a necessity.
Tell us a few things about your new song Friends In High Places . What is the story behind it?
Its a torch song inspired by the likes of Billie Holiday where the protagonist grieves for a love lost before eventually finding herself again in the payoff of the last lines of the song. The track is completely elevated by Becki Fishwick who delivers an incredible vocal on it.
What is the story behind your name?
narcissus is drawn from Greek mythology & was meant to playfully allude to the absurd vanity of being in a band. The story goes that narcissus ultimately kills himself by drowning in a pool whilst admiring his own reflection. Take from that what you will.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
We enjoy both obviously but we would say that we are primarily a studio band who love nothing more than the writing & recording process.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
To get heard and to get paid fairly for your work from certain major streaming platforms! Obviously the genie is out of the bottle with streaming but the #BrokenRecord campaign does give artists a glimmer of hope for change in future.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t concern yourself with the outcome, trust in the process and serve the song.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Giving witty answers to ridiculous interview questions.
My sound is pretty expansive, but overall it is astral, cinematic, genre-bending pop.
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘(God Is) The Camera’. What is the main idea behind it?
(God Is) The Camera is a multi-dimensional trip around the conscious universe. It’s a pretty intricate, ethereal, sexy and subversive fusion banger with a drill-pop vibe, epic rap verse and transcendental middle 8. Lyrically, it’s kinda sexy and philosophical and portrays the parallels between a conscious universe and the humxn experience.
What first got you into music?
I started playing piano and singing at a really early age, and then taught myself guitar, but it wasn’t til 2016 when I started releasing songs as myself with a full package. I’m a Leo rising (actually the moon is in Leo as I write this), so I am designed to perform. I am really grateful for my background in music and how it has allowed me to create and sustain such an elaborate universe with my artistry.
Favourite album of the past year?
Has to Shortcut To World Peace by… me! On January 1, I released and 11-track CD which featured the title track (my last single) and includes songs that have and haven’t been released yet. You can buy them on my website, NEO10Y.SPACE – it’s been getting great reviews from Billboard, Paper, The Evening Standard and lots of great playlist features, so definitely check it out!
What would you change in the music industry?
I think inclusivity, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, more payout to artists from streaming are really important. More conscious artists are needed for a spiritual revolution. There is a history of violence and abuse in music that still needs to be exposed. I had to come forward about some problems with an editor back in 2019 and it helped so many other artists heal and move forward with their trauma, and as a result, I would say that the music industry is a better place today. I think it is really important to use your voice.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
My music video for Shortcut To World Peace is so epic and underrated – created by me, OZAT and Rob Daglish who also did such an amazing job editing the film. It’s the story of a protagonist who dies to manifest a utopian dimension of peace. I have flirted with the expanse of the astral realm and death throughout my life and artistic narrative. The video is a story of a resilient artist who dies so that their message of LOVE could expand and manifest a utopian dimension of peace. I can only hope that the mainstream chooses love and embraces non-violence now.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I get a lot of online hate from enraged anti-vegans because I talk about the need for a vegan future now a lot in media and my art. There is even a hit piece on me that has a million views on YouTube, all you have to do is Google “worst vegan” and it’s the top hit. Pretty wild, but as long as we are talking about it and educating each other about a conscious future, that is all that matters!
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
this song was just a vessel to get some things that i was feeling off of my chest. The main idea was to let it be known i have what it takes.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
“breaking my character im bout to tear every ligament” with me going out of my usual realm i was making sure i went to the greatest extreme to deliver.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
i think hip hop is subjective and can be what you want. underground hip hop wants meaningful bars cause that is apart of the art.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
hip hop symbolizes black culture.. the triumphs and the struggles in a tasteful manner that we can digest.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
lost, misguided, intoxicated, vulnerable
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
i cant discuss that at the moment.. maybe in the future haha
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
I composed this song years ago when I learned that someone very dear to me was going away. Unfortunately I was not able to convey my feelings to this person before they left and instead wrote a song about it.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I don’t find songwriting as a lonely process at all. On the contrary, I always feel heard whenever I write and compose songs, even if no one has heard them or even listens to them at all. Whenever I finish the melody and lyrics of a song, I feel as if my thoughts were fully conveyed not just by the words, but by the music that communicates what words cannot. Whether someone listens to them or not, I always find comfort in the fact that I have shared whatever it is that I needed to release, and if anyone wanted to somehow understand what I think and how I feel, they only need to listen to my music.
I do prefer collaborating with other people. In fact, if my words and melody make up the skeleton of the songs that I write, it is the talent of my brothers, Tommy and Teddy, that adds flesh and life to these songs. My brother Tommy creates the instrumental and my brother Teddy mixes and masters the whole song. Sometimes when the only thing I can share are the words, I ask my brothers Teddy or Tommy to compose the melody and I am always amazed by the outcome.
So, yes, I love collaborating with other artists because I know that my thoughts and feelings only represent a small part of reality and that the contributions of other people matter.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Our High School music teacher was the most honest composer I ever met. Her songs and melodies touched and inspired generations of students and I often remember my High School days as both joyful and peaceful because her music was always in the background.
I can’t think of one artist who influenced me, but my music is highly influenced by Broadway music.
What would you change in the music industry?
Hmmm. I don’t know, to be honest. Maybe… nepotism? Gatekeeping? Sexism?
If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?
That I couldn’t say! Though I can share the films whose scores I do love— Casper, Pride and Prejudice, and Titanic!
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
With my music? Finding the strength to keep going. 🙂
HipHop Paranoia 