Story // Will Bollini
You’ve been the creative force behind all aspects of your music, from writing and performing to producing and mixing. What drives you to take such a hands-on approach to your work, and how does it influence the final product?
I am absolutely obsessed with making music! I love every single aspect of it, and I love learning and being creative. With my art, I tend to have a very specific and holistic vision of what I feel, and I’ve just found it to be easiest to do it myself than to have to verbally explain it to someone else. I see the musical creative process as a wholistic art form, and I really see my music as an extension of myself. For the listener, it’s also cool to know exactly where something is coming from. It makes it more personal.
Your new album DAYGLOW seems to draw inspiration from the early 2010s indie and alternative music scene. What specific elements or artists from that era inspired you, and how did you blend those influences with your own unique style?
Totally. This album is very electric guitar driven and nostalgic for me. I grew up on Phoenix, The Strokes, Weezer, Two Door Cinema Club, etc. I just love that era of music— it’s both cool and fun. I don’t think something has to be dark to be cool, so I try to balance that with my music.
“Every Little Thing I Say I Do” and “Cocoon” are already generating excitement ahead of the album release. Can you share the stories or creative processes behind these singles? What track on the album are you most excited for fans to hear?
I think people are generally starting to see that this album is very full circle withFuzzybrain and sounds very “Dayglow”. With those two singles, I just felt they represented the sonics of the album the best maybe? It’s so hard picking singles, I honestly think the whole album rocks, and people who like one song will like every other one as well.
You’ve had a remarkable journey since “Can I Call You Tonight” became a Double Platinum hit. How has your approach to music evolved since that breakout moment, and what new things are you exploring in DAYGLOW?
My approach technically is the exact same— I still write and record and produce and mix my music alone at home. I think my emotional and spiritual connection to the music has really deepened with this record though, and I think it shows in the music. I just found myself in a place where I started to stop comparing myself to others, and just make exactly what I wanted to make. I’m not really hiding behind anything with this record; it’s just me pretty raw and upfront.
How do you translate your musical vision into a visual one? What challenges and rewards come with the process of creating music videos?
I see things pretty holistically. I actually wanted to go to school to make music videos and commercials, so I love how music blends with video. It’s so crucial. The short form stuff has been new for me, and I’m learning as I make it, but usually with a song I have a concept and color palette for the video in my head as I make it.
Looking back at your journey from Fuzzybrain to now, what have been the most significant moments or challenges in your career, and how have they shaped who you are as an artist today?
Up until this record, I really struggled with my self-confidence as an artist. I’ve never really felt valid or cool or relevant enough. When that’s what matters to you the most, that can be a super heavy and existential burden. I think with this album, I just learned to quiet those voices and focus in on just how much I love making music. Comparison really is the thief of joy, so I tried to just make and be my most natural self. That’s the foundation of everything that built this record.
