Light Leak: Congratulations on the EP release! Let’s start with the name, “Superstar.” Is there a meaning behind it if you’re comfortable sharing? How did it come about, were there any other names?

 

Christian: There were no others. There was only one. The name comes from, I think, I don't know, the process of writing this project kind of came from weirdly, like my idolization of my girlfriend, part of my relationship. And I think in focusing on that, it made me focus on all of the relationships in my life. And I kind of wanted to create a project that was reflective of, I guess those thoughts and those reflections that I had on my own. And in doing that I realized that I'm really surrounded by such amazing people and so yeah, I guess it's about kind of the other half of my relationships. All of those people being superstars.

 

Light Leak: That’s awesome! I feel like with artists it's either there's one where it's like this is going to be the name or it's like there's dozens that come and go. 

 

Christian: I was going to do something like long and complicated but then it just felt right.

 

Light Leak: Yeah, that's cool. The song, “Why Not?” I know that came out kind of a little over a month ago or so. The video was very cool. It's colorful but creative and simple. Did you come up with it?

 

Christian: Yeah, I came up with it! We were going to do a series of music videos for this project and then I think the goal became doing one big live video and kind of allocating budget towards that instead. And so when it came down to it, we need to have at least a visualizer or something that is kind of floaty. I watched Super Bad and I just grew up once again. So I want to be one of those guys. I want to look like one of those guys. And then so, kind of just got together.

 

Light Leak: That's very cool, it came out very good. So at the moment, is there one song that you are particularly proud of or cannot wait to play live someday?

 

Christian: Oh God, I'm really proud of this entire project. I think that it really signified something for me. I think, artistically, I think just personally, it was, like, such a cool moment to have stumbled upon. Like, these songs, been trying for a really long time to make something that I feel this way about, and so I'm just very proud of the entire project. As far as playing something live, I think what is it called? The title track. I love that so much. Cannot wait to play that live.

 

Light Leak: Do you think the EP is the proudest piece of work you've put out to this day, would you say?

 

Christian: Absolutely. For sure.

 

Light Leak: That's very awesome. It's cool seeing people genuinely like the music they make nowadays, because so many people just want to blow up on, like, TikTok and get the views.

 

Christian: We're still crossing our fingers for that.

 

Light Leak: Were you listening to anything in particular when you were writing or recording that influenced the overall soundscape of the EP?

 

Christian: Yes, I was. I was listening to a lot of singer songwriters like, mainly Jeff Buckley and Elliot Smith and kind of the classics. But I was also just, like, I think, doing a lot of analyzing and, like, reading songs that I connected with and just finding the devices in order that they used in order to write those songs and why it was connecting with me. I was listening to a lot of soul and gospel, but also a lot of ambient music at the same time. Yeah, just kind of doing my thing, just listening to the music that I usually listen to.

 

Light Leak: Very cool. Who were some of your early music influences? I know you've been doing this for quite some time now. And what was it about music or the sound that drew you towards it in the beginning? 

 

Christian: Well, the first record I ever bought, well, okay, so I wasn't really allowed to listen to a lot of secular music growing up. My parents are pastors so there comes a lot of religious context and like a lot of like, there's devil music, you know, like you can't listen to that sort of thing. And so like when I started to kind of do music on my own,  I had an iPod and I had an iPhone, so it was kind of like a secret between me and my phone. Um, and I listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder, like immediately I think that was maybe the first artist that I became super obsessed with because there's just like troves and troves of albums and songs to go through. So Stevie for sure, number one top all time. Then like the Beatles I guess would be the next one if you really wanna press me about it. I listened to Abbey Road when I was 15 and I was like, everyone needs to hear this. This is the best thing ever. And then, uh, like Joni Mitchell, those probably like the first three that I was super obsessed with.

 

Light Leak: Classics, yeah. So talking about that, how have your influences changed since you first started writing music? 

 

Christian: I think that just like my personal context has changed. So like, I just feel my understanding of those things have fluctuated throughout the years. Like my reasons for listening, my intention on what I'm hearing, what I'm listening for, I think has changed a lot. I'm trying to be a little more analytical with the things that I am ingesting rather than- but then again, so much casual music listening, like so much that's just like, oh, this makes me feel a certain way. I wanna listen to that. And that's always kind of stayed the same. If I'm in a certain mood, I'll turn something on in order to amplify that mood or combat it I guess. I think my point of view has changed. So like the way that I listen to those songs have just developed, you know?

 

Light Leak: Yeah definitely, like overall growth in general. And how would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges you’ve faced?

 

Christian: I think I would describe my development very slow and, a lot slower than I would have liked it to be. I think I, in a way, it helped me not being able to listen to, you know, the legends like from a very, very early age. Because when I got into it, it made me super, I was super hungry for it. I was like, I've never heard anything like this in my entire life. But at the same time, I wish I would've had, I think a little bit more of that instilled into me as a very young child, it would've maybe helped me along the way. But the development, slow and steady wins the race. That's what I'll say. 

 

Light Leak: You kind of had a start on the internet anyways as a creator. Do you think that helped like when you wanted to start seriously doing music?

 

Christian: Oh absolutely. If you mean like as far as an audience and like developing as an artist. Yeah, absolutely. I think that it made it a much easier transition and it kind of honestly appeared itself as an opportunity. Like I didn't think I would ever really get the chance to do something like this. Especially starting so young, it all feels a lot like a pipe dream, you know? Like yeah you're just on the internet, and it was also more obscure at that time, so it's like even less serious than it is today, you know, like it wasn't seen as a viable career. So then I guess that is kind of what pushed me more into like, well if I want to do something with this, I have to do something that has longevity.

 

Light Leak: Definitely that makes sense. I just have one more question! Who would be your dream artist/artists to tour with someday?

 

Christian: To tour with? Hmmm.

 

Light Leak: Like have you gotten a lot of opportunities to work with producers and people you never thought you’d work with?

 

Christian: Yeah for sure. I think the producer I work with right now, this guy named Yves Rothman, we produce everything together. I’ve worked with a ton of producers. I think especially when I first moved to LA it was a lot of like speed dating and trying to find like, you know, people who kind of get the sound. I think tour, I will answer your question though. Dream tour, Alex G let’s just say. 

 

Light Leak: Yeah! He just did a residency at Brooklyn Steel, sadly I didn’t get to go but it looked amazing.

 

Christian: I saw him a few weeks ago, he is a beautiful man. He is very, very good at what he does.