Six Things You Might Not Know About Me:
When I was very young, I actually dreamed of becoming a painter like Monet or Van Gogh. Impressionism is my favorite style of fine art, and Impressionist paintings in particular always sparked my interest the most. Later on, as a teenager, I dreamed of becoming a professional trumpet player in a symphony orchestra. I suppose it’s not too far from my original dreams to pursue a career as a pop artist, haha!
My most prized possession is actually something sentimental – a book that my mother hand-made for me to express her and my father’s feelings towards me as their son. I asked her several years ago to help me understand the purpose of life and the reason why I’m here, and her response was this book. I’ll cherish it forever!
I saw many various jazz, rock, and classical concerts growing up in Louisiana, but the first pop concert I ever saw was the “12th Annual Honda Civic Tour” featuring Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson in 2013. I’m a huge Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson fan, and my best friend surprised me with the tickets for my birthday, so it was an absolutely incredible night!
Being able to fly would be pretty cool, but I think my superpower of choice would be having boundless energy and never needing to sleep. I feel like there’s so much more I could do if I never got tired! I love dreams though, so that would be a tough thing to sacrifice with this superpower. If I could still sleep and dream whenever I felt like it, then that would be perfect!
If I won a Grammy, there are so many people I’d thank – but the first people I would thank would definitely be my fans for believing in me and encouraging me to continue pursuing music despite its challenges. It’s because of them that I feel fulfilled doing what I do as an artist, and they make everything I do in music possible!
I’ve been fortunate enough to visit many incredible places so far in my life, but I think the most amazing place I’ve seen so far is Paris, France. I’m a huge fan of French art, architecture, music, food, and culture in general, and Paris to me is the greatest representation of all that. It’s a city that captures the imaginations of artists, dreamers, and romantics of all kinds, which I am all of the above. I’m actually considering moving there one day if I can learn a bit more French!
Twelve Songs That Have Influence My Life and Career…
Someone Like You – Adele
This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and was one of the first that helped me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in music. I hadn’t ever really sang before this song came around, but after hearing Adele’s voice on this record all I wanted to do was be able to sing like her!
He’s A Pirate – Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack
Another one of the first songs that helped me realize at an early age that I wanted to pursue music professionally. I was just starting band class in school when I heard it for the first time, and I became so enamored with the score that I learned to play all the pieces, and even composed my own orchestral medley for it (I was and always have been a huge band nerd!).
Into You – Ariana Grande
Probably my favorite song of all time to date. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one song with me, this would be it. I’ve listened to it dozens (maybe hundreds) of times and still haven’t grown tired of it. It features two of my most beloved musicians – Ariana Grande and Max Martin – and everything about the song amazes me, including the melodies, production, vocal performance, and lyrics. The craziest thing about it is, I actually didn’t care for the song that much when it first came out! Somehow or other, it grew on me, and now I just can’t get enough of it. Every time I listen to it, I discover new things to appreciate about it, and I wholeheartedly regard it as a masterpiece of pop music.
I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift
Another one of my favorite songs of all time (and another Max Martin project!). I distinctly remember hearing it on the radio during a road trip and I instantly loved it. This was the first song by Taylor Swift that really caught my attention and I’ve been a fan of hers ever since. I love how she can transform her sound while still remaining true to herself as a songwriter as well.
Dangerous Woman – Ariana Grande
This has been one of my favorite songs for a long time, and I absolutely love the entire “Dangerous Woman” album. This song was actually a big part of the inspiration behind my first single, “Secrets”, which I wrote to be a self-empowerment anthem. I’ve spent many hours practicing singing to “Dangerous Woman” and I continue to use this song and album for vocal warm ups and songwriting inspiration.
Complicated – Avril Lavigne
One of the first songs that I remember falling in love with as a kid, and one that really impacted my development in both music and life. I’ll never forget the lyrics, “you’re making me laugh out when you strike your pose / take off all your preppy clothes / you know you’re not fooling anyone…” I was very struck by these words as a kid, since I was so focused at the time on being likable that I forgot what it felt like to just be myself. This song helped me realize that I should embrace my true character and stop pretending to be anyone else.
Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
This song really captured my imagination since it was nothing like I’d ever heard before in 2009. The lyrics, melodies, and rhythms are so dramatic and unique, it instantly became a favorite of mine and I’ve been a huge Lady Gaga fan ever since. Her sound, image, and personality have all had a big impact on my own artist persona.
I’m Not the Only One – Sam Smith
I absolutely love the gospel-like vocals and harmonies in this song, and its expertly crafted lyrics tell a breathtaking story. Sam Smith’s voice has always been a big vocal inspiration of mine, and I’ve covered this song many times throughout my years as a gigging artist.
Like a G6 – Far East Movement
Another dance-pop song that monopolized my air waves back when I was in high school. It’s so unique and catchy, I couldn’t get it out of my ear the entire year of 2010! I actually based one of my school art projects on it. I’m not ashamed to admit that I had no idea what a G6 was, or what “slizzard” or “sizzurp” meant for that matter, but I was obsessed with it anyway.
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major – Johann Sebastian Bach
One of my favorite classical compositions, and one that I came to know very well during my time learning to play cello. I was first introduced to the piece through Yo-Yo Ma’s rendition, and hearing him play it was one of the main factors that influenced me to pick up the cello in the beginning. I still enjoy playing this piece today.
Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
When I was younger, I learned to play this piece on the piano by ear, and then later with sheet music. It’s always been one of my favorites, and Debussy is one of my favorite composers of all time. He captures such beauty and emotion in his works, they have the ability to transport me to places where I find complete peace and relaxation.
