Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with The Crushed
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
: I have two… I had a dream when I was young. My Mom and Dad were watching over me, and there was a chorus of children singing a nursery rhyme-style song. My parents were wearing these blue futuristic space outfits. It was very strange and stuck with me. My earliest memory in real life is probably watching my sister watch the “Real Love” music video by Mary J. Blige.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
: I’d say I’ve always had a passive interest in music. When I was young, music was always present in some capacity. I remember I’d use my sister’s Casio keyboard to create music or random beats. I saw my Mom dance to something I created, and it partially inspired me. In my late teens, I started actively seeking out music. One day, I came across “Illmatic” by Nas, and it blew my mind. I knew I wanted to create something that good.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
: I enjoy albums that have themes in terms of the overall sound—like suites, for example, What’s Going On or Radiohead albums. I’m also very much inspired by music trapped in time, and if my favorite artist isn’t creating that type of art, it’s my own way of listening to a sequel or another installment of my favorite music. So I set out to create an album inspired by influences. I like the challenge of creating an album that is eclectic in sound but still flows together well… like a good mixtape.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
: My current project is Indie but very much pop- leaning. It’s like you went back to the 20th century and picked up a mixtape with The Smiths, Radiohead & David Bowie on it.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
: I learned that some of my favorite songs have so many layers to them. There are multiple elements that make the song interesting. Those elements can mask a simple song structure or allow you to use a similar song structure multiple times. I still try my best not to do the same thing twice, but that realization helped me focus on creating a richer (or more interesting) soundscape.
ape.What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
: Pro Tools is helpful for creating demos. I typically write songs by the guitar part first, so my acoustic guitar is probably the most essential. I also use a voice recorder to help me memorize melodies.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
: Well my favorites are Radiohead and The Smiths… Lost in a Dream by The War Drugs is also pretty influential. There’s quite a few songs I can name but here’s some off the top of my head:… “There’s A Place” & “If You Love Her” by Tokyo Tea Room, “When The Sun Hits” by Slowdive, “Ocean” by Lush, “Spend Some Time” by Nathaniel Stewart, “Pandora” by Wisp…
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
: Lyrically speaking, I try to tell a story that either relates to something that moved me (for better or worse), how I’m feeling, or a snapshot of my life. Though my lyrics are rarely autobiographical, they typically have a connection to me in some way
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
: Going back to my lyrics, I try to make my stories as ambiguous as possible. I like the idea of people listening to or reading my lyrics and having different takeaways. I hope my songs will resonate with people in a way that uplifts them or at least creates a world where they feel like they’re not alone.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
: Fulfilling my vision takes a lot of work and it takes patience… patience with myself, my growth, and learning the process.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
: The only place I know I’d like to perform at is The Mint in Los Angeles. It’s not too far from where I grew up, and I’ve always wanted to perform there
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
: Probably Matt Cameron because I really dig his drum grooves. There are many artist I like the “idea” of playing with, but in reality, I don’t know if I’d actually enjoy it.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
:
- Linktree -– https://linktr.ee/TheCrushed
- Spotify -– https://open.spotify.com/artist/5s02kIJTUet4VyiwQT5f7u?si=fJG-ec4WQLOFf_MCWMc_sA
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
: I’d love to work on music full-time as a recording artist. I have a 3-album project I’m envisioning. If I have success with the first album release, I’d probably invest more time and resources into the second and third.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
: I never thought about it from a “getting to know me” perspective. I’d like them to see me or understand that I’m just an ordinary person. At the very least, I hope they find my ideas interesting or that something I say makes a difference for someone.
