IN CONVERSATION WITH DANIEL SEAVEY
interview by MAREK BARTEK
Multi-platinum singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Daniel Seavey kicks off his highly anticipated debut solo album era with new single ‘The Older You Get’. Personally reflective yet universally relatable, ‘The Older You Get’ captures feelings of nostalgia, growth and evolution in a way that will both strike nerves and inspire.
Your debut solo single ‘The Older You Get’ has been described as explosive. What inspired this song, and how does it represent your new musical direction?
‘The Older You Get’ is a bit of a coming of age song. I am allergic to the thought of ever truly growing up, but there are moments in life that you can’t avoid, that will force you to have to grow up a bit. Some good moments, some bad, all of which are unavoidable. That’s just the way life goes. “The Older You Get” is an observation and appreciation for life and everything that comes with it.
Transitioning from a band member in Why Don’t We to a solo artist must be a significant change. What has been the most exciting and challenging part of this journey for you?
When I began my solo career I had no idea what I was really getting myself into. Even though on paper I was doing just about the same thing, it initially felt like I had taken on a completely different career. I felt like a total fish out of water. I was adamant on not letting the vulnerability of it all get the best of me, and I confidently say now that my mentality to power through all the uncomfortable challenges paid off in spades. I have never felt so connected to my art and free. And that’s not to diminish how magical those years in my band were. It’s just different when your music is completely your own. It’s very special in its own way.
The most exciting memory for my solo career thus was definitely my first tour. I thought three people were going to show up for me. I was so nervous for tickets to go on sale. And it ended up selling out in a matter of minutes. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t, and the shows were so magical. The most challenging part was getting over the full body panic of getting on stage by myself! I had created a completely different show than what the band used to do. I used a looper pedal, and tons of instruments, and had to sing through every song on my own now. I remember the first solo show I actually thought I had bit off more than I could chew, and was going to mess up the whole show. But fast forward a couple tours later and I still haven’t messed up once! Knock on wood!
cardigan R13
boxers GAP
jewelry SELVA JEWELRY
shoes VINTAGE
You’ve been praised for your production skills and ability to play over 20 instruments. Why is such a range important to you as an artist, and which instruments do you enjoy experimenting with the most these days?
Being able to play a ton of instruments and produce my own music isn’t necessarily important to me as much as it is just a part of me. It’s a natural part of my process of making my music to include the instruments I play, and produce a lot of the music myself. If the song doesn’t feel good on one instrument, then it’s not good enough to produce. But on the contrary, I love to add more than one instrument to a song most of the time. I really obsess over trying to take a song as far as it can go sonically to the point where I usually have 30 different versions of the same song.
Your music blends rock, pop, alternative, and electronic elements. How do you approach merging these genres to create your unique sound?
I like to write a song in its simplest form and once it feels good, I like to follow wherever it feels like it needs to go. It’s kind of like an intuitive feeling mixed with a bit of imagination for me in terms of where I take a song. Once I feel out how it should be, I can sort of hear the finished song in my head. Then it’s my job to get the song to sound the same as it does in my head in the real world.
left:
top & shorts GUCCI
jewelry SELVA JEWELRY
shoes SAINT LAURENT
right:
cardigan & jeans CELINE
sunglasses GARRETT LEIGHT
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, your exposure to secular music was limited. How has this background influenced your musical style and the themes you explore in your songs?
The most exciting part of not growing up listening to secular music is that I get to listen to all of it now with fresh ears, and it is so unbelievably inspiring. I heard “Feel Good” by The Gorillaz for the first time this year. I heard “Mr Brightside” for the first time this year. I had never dove into Coldplay’s discography until this year. I had never heard “Fast Car” by Tracey Chapman until this year - the list goes on and on. Hearing all these timeless songs back-to-back has been like a musical adrenaline rush. It’s been so much fun for me getting to really discover all of music in current time, and find myself and my own sound at the same time. Inspiration has been absolutely flooding out of me lately.
Your journey with Why Don’t We included sold-out tours and numerous accolades. How have these experiences prepared you for your solo career?
I used to joke that Why Don’t We was like a weird crazy version of college for me, and in a lot of ways it actually was. I learned a lot on my go around with the band, and it’s been such a blessing for me to have all of those years of experience going into my solo career. I experienced such insane highs and lows with my band. From dive bars to arenas, we really saw it all together. All of those memories have been insanely helpful for me this time around.
polo & shorts GUCCI
jewelry SELVA JEWELRY
boots SAINT LAURENT
TEAM CREDITS:
talent DANIEL SEAVEY
photographer/director MYNXII WHITE
stylist TARA NICHOLS
groomer JUANITA LYON for CELESTINE AGENCY using JAXON LANE & DEVA CURL
photography assistant MIGUEL ESPARZA
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA
interview MAREK BARTEK
top A.P.C
pants BRAM’S
shoes CONVERSE
jewelry SELVA JEWELRY
Having been part of Why Don’t We for six years, what are some of your favourite memories or milestones from your time with the band?
One of my many favourite memories with the band is performing at Madison Square Garden together. That was always such a big bucket list goal of ours, and it still shocks me thinking back to that show and the fact that it actually happened.
Your cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” has captivated fans. What made you choose this song, and what was your creative process in making it your own?
The song ‘Hallelujah’ has always played a big role in my life. It was the song I auditioned for American Idol with at 15, and after that it sort of became my go-to song whenever I would need to cover a song. I feel like I have pulled so much inspiration from that song over the years and have connected to it in so many ways that it has become very dear to me.
Can you tell us more about the process of writing and recording in your home studio for your solo debut? How does it feel to have complete creative control?
My process of writing a song usually starts with a small idea such as a lyric, or a thought, or some nice chords, or a melody — just something that grabs me. These ideas can come from something I’ve observed or overheard, or sometimes they just pop into my head out of the blue. Then I just follow the thought for as long as I can before it leaves me and write or record everything I can. I usually like to record a very simple version of the song once I’ve written it. Then I take a ton of time throwing every instrument I can at the song until something I play really sticks. Once I play something that really gives the song more of an identity, I play more instruments around that magic foundation I’ve made to glue it all together.
What message or feeling do you hope to convey to listeners through your solo music, and what can fans expect from you in the future?
I hope people feel open and free when they listen to my music. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I want my music to do the same. And fans can expect a lot from me coming up. Whether it’s music, or shows, or meet and greets, or photoshoots — i love what I do so much, and i want to do this forever so until further notice. That is my plan!