1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:01,480 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk. 2 00:00:01,560 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 2: I've been through some really difficult stuff to the point 3 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 2: where I sort of had to reprioritize what was important 4 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 2: to me and what kept me grounded through it all. 5 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,560 Speaker 2: And I think it actually took like being in those 6 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 2: difficult situations where I was able to take a step 7 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 2: back and realize, these are the things that keep me 8 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:26,119 Speaker 2: ground and these are the things that make me happy. 9 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 2: My life is not the music industry. My life is 10 00:00:29,360 --> 00:00:30,520 Speaker 2: not the entertainment industry. 11 00:00:30,560 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 3: That's my job. 12 00:00:31,560 --> 00:00:35,559 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast, Music history on 13 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 1: foot with your host Buzz Night. Buzz talks with musicians 14 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:43,120 Speaker 1: and insiders about their work, new projects, and their love 15 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: of music. Today, Buzz walks and talks with actor and 16 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: musician Kevin Quinn. Kevin has multiple roles in movies on 17 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:55,360 Speaker 1: Netflix and Disney, among others, and he's releasing new music 18 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 1: on Capital Music group called The real Me. His work 19 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: merges pop and inspirational with a transparent look at his 20 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 1: own life challenges. Let's join Buzz Night and Kevin Quinn 21 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: next on Taking a Walk. 22 00:01:10,959 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 4: Well, Kevin Quinn, it's so great to be a person 23 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 4: with you taking a walk here in Nashville. 24 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's kind of a gloomy day. 25 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 5: I hate to say it, though I don't think it's 26 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 5: so gloomy. 27 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 4: If I'm in the moment with you. 28 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 3: Hey, I feel the same way. 29 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 2: You know what I mean. 30 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:31,039 Speaker 4: So you've had an amazing journey. You continue to have 31 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:35,679 Speaker 4: an amazing journey. Let's talk about it first from your 32 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 4: acting perspective. Tell me about all the many projects you 33 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:41,559 Speaker 4: have worked on as an actor. 34 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 2: Oh man, where do I start? I guess I'll start 35 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 2: at the beginning. So my first professional gig was with 36 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 2: a theater company in downtown Chicago called Steppenwolf's Theater. And 37 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 2: you know, I'd been doing acting, like in community theater 38 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 2: and at school. I was sixteen at the time, and 39 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 2: I booked this gig at Steppenwolf, which is owned by 40 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 2: Gary Sinise. If you've ever seen Forrest Gump, he plays 41 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 2: Lieutenant Dan, Yes, and he still runs. 42 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:14,000 Speaker 3: The theater, I believe. 43 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 2: So I had a gig there, and then that led 44 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 2: to a gig at Chicago Shakespeare Theater where I did 45 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,240 Speaker 2: Henry the Fifth, And that was a tough one for me. 46 00:02:25,680 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: Like I was again sixteen, and I had to They 47 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 2: brought in like a French coach because the character spoke 48 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 2: some French and he was British though, so he was 49 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 2: speaking French with like a British accent. 50 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:40,920 Speaker 3: It was really a difficult role, but it. 51 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 2: Like really upped my game and that led to catching 52 00:02:45,040 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 2: the attention of some casting directors in the Chicago area. 53 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:53,880 Speaker 2: I did a stint on Chicago PD shameless on Showtime, 54 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 2: and then I told my parents. I was like, Mom, Dad, 55 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:00,440 Speaker 2: I want to move out to Los Angeles and you know, 56 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 2: like take a I guess you could call it a 57 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 2: gap year. At that time, I was like, I'll go 58 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 2: out there for a few months at the most, and 59 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 2: I'll put college to the side for a minute and 60 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 2: see if I can make a living doing this. And 61 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: lo and behold, I get to Los Angeles and I 62 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: booked my first audition. 63 00:03:16,600 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 3: So then I'm on a plane to Vancouver. 64 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,720 Speaker 2: I had this airbnb booked for like three months, which 65 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:23,720 Speaker 2: is how long I was going to stay there, and 66 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: I was using the money on this that I was 67 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 2: making on this film in Vancouver to actually pay for 68 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:31,799 Speaker 2: the airbnb back in la as it sat there unattended. 69 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 5: Fing ironic about that. 70 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 2: I know, right, But then that led to a screen 71 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 2: test for a show called Summer Camp on the Disney Channel, 72 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:43,600 Speaker 2: which became Bunked. 73 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,640 Speaker 3: I did that for two years, moved to Los. 74 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:50,320 Speaker 2: Angeles full time, and then that led to other film roles. 75 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 2: I did a movie called Canal Street. I did a 76 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 2: Christmas Love Story with Kristin chennew with. I did Hube 77 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:02,160 Speaker 2: Halloween with Adam's Sandler. I did another stage production at 78 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:07,200 Speaker 2: Pasadena Playhouse. I did another show on NBC with Mindy 79 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 2: Colling Minie Kaling. 80 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 3: Sorry, and I don't know. I've been kind of working 81 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 3: ever since. 82 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 2: And then I did a week Away which kind of 83 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 2: gave me a chance to go back to my music career. 84 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 2: And so now I've been kind of like focusing on 85 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 2: that for the time being. 86 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 3: And you know, I still auditioned and stuff. 87 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 2: But it's really great because that the acting sort of 88 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 2: led to an opportunity to like revisit the music. 89 00:04:31,160 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 4: You know, So, who are the musical influences that have 90 00:04:35,640 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 4: had the most, you know, profound impact for you. 91 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 5: You know, as a fan or as you know, maybe 92 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:44,640 Speaker 5: musical mentors. 93 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean. 94 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 2: When I was, oh, listener, the we are being redirected 95 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:56,479 Speaker 2: by a construction crew. 96 00:04:57,640 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 3: Hey, we're standing in. 97 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 5: The way you know what, it's a real walk, so 98 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 5: that happens. 99 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I love it now. 100 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 2: I mean my dad used to spin like Bruce Springsteen 101 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 2: and the Beatles on his vinyl collection on his record player, 102 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,279 Speaker 2: and that got me inspired. 103 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 3: Like just what really good music could be. 104 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 2: And I think I kind of turned it inwards, like 105 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: thinking almost like putting myself in their shoes, like if 106 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 2: I were to do something like this, what would that 107 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:27,320 Speaker 2: look like? 108 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 3: You know? 109 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 2: And if I wrote like let it be by the Beatles, 110 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,159 Speaker 2: like could I ever do what Paul McCartney does? 111 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,159 Speaker 3: And look, I don't think. 112 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 2: I don't know if I would ever be able to 113 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 2: pull that off, but like it certainly showed me what 114 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:45,840 Speaker 2: good songwriting looks like and how good music should sound. 115 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:48,440 Speaker 2: And I think that was the basis of you know, 116 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:51,640 Speaker 2: like they're my deep influences. And then from there it 117 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 2: led to becoming infatuated with people like John Mayer, where 118 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 2: he sort of speaks through his guitar as if you know, 119 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 2: he's got great vocals, but his guitar is really just 120 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 2: as much a vocal in his music, or like John 121 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 2: Legend was another one. His album Love in the Future 122 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 2: is one of my favorite albums. 123 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 3: Ever. 124 00:06:12,040 --> 00:06:14,640 Speaker 2: Ed Sheeron was another. As I got older in high school, 125 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 2: I really started to appreciate Ed Sheeron. So there's a 126 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:20,960 Speaker 2: bunch of different artists, but I think it all stems 127 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:24,239 Speaker 2: back to what my dad showed me and his musical tastes. 128 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,120 Speaker 2: I think I was very impressionable at the time and 129 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 2: it shaped my own influences. 130 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 4: And as you've been spending time in Nashville, there's got 131 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,719 Speaker 4: to be some people, either on the songwriting community or 132 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 4: just in general with this very generous music community that 133 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 4: have made an impact. Any folks that you want to. 134 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: Highlight, there are a lot. I honestly, the entire Nashville 135 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 3: music community. 136 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:56,359 Speaker 2: They've embraced me and they've been so supportive. And you know, 137 00:06:56,520 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 2: if I hit up anyone in Nashville, they're like, yeah, 138 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 2: I want to do a session with you. And the 139 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 2: fact that like my music and who I am is 140 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:12,560 Speaker 2: being so well received and that they have that you know, 141 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 2: support and respect for me as an artist is really 142 00:07:15,840 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 2: flattering that they would give up their time and their 143 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:23,000 Speaker 2: in their busy schedules to write with me. I mean, 144 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 2: there's a lot of them. Sean Cook, he's based in 145 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 2: LA but he comes to Nashville a lot. He executive 146 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 2: produced Real Me, really talented guy. I mean there's there's 147 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 2: a lot Tranny Anderson, Dallas Wilson, who else? 148 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 3: Abby Siler? 149 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean I could go on Bailey Hagar's. 150 00:07:47,840 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 6: There's a lot of people, you know, and it really 151 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 6: as we as we're looking here over the pedestrian bridge 152 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 6: over Nashville, great views of it. 153 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 5: I mean, this city is is changing, you know, certainly, 154 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 5: you know. 155 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 4: With all of the new population coming in constantly, but 156 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 4: at its core, it's still this very generous community. 157 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 3: Yeah. Yeah, it's kind of funny. 158 00:08:16,720 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 2: My my music manager, Gave Vasquez, he was saying he's 159 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 2: been here since nineteen ninety six, and like we were, 160 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 2: I was doing another interview this morning and he's like, 161 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 2: what do you read Born Kevin I said in nineteen 162 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 2: ninety seven, So you know, we put together the dots. 163 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 2: He's been in Nashville longer than I've been alive. And 164 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:38,559 Speaker 2: he's like, yeah, I was living here before it was cool, 165 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 2: and it's true, Like I think it's just grown so 166 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:51,280 Speaker 2: much and I don't know, something's never changed. It's like, yes, 167 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:55,679 Speaker 2: a lot has changed, but for me, it still has 168 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 2: like the same spirit. 169 00:08:57,200 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 3: I see him talk. 170 00:08:58,120 --> 00:09:00,559 Speaker 2: About it in the same way as if it's it 171 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 2: still has the same spirit that it did back then. 172 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 3: So, like I said, you know, some things never changed. 173 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 2: And there is like a new population coming in which 174 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:10,240 Speaker 2: is just so interesting to me. 175 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 3: A lot of Californians here. 176 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 5: It's Californians, New Yorkers. 177 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm not surprised though. 178 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 4: I'm trying to think the other one maybe Floridians. Yeah, 179 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 4: you know, yeah, those those three in particular. But at 180 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 4: Taylor's from Florida. There you go, Taylor from your label. 181 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:35,959 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's listener. He's standing on the bridge with us here. 182 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 7: He's making sure we're not saying anything incorrect, exactly inflammatory. 183 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 5: Yeah, you could say anything, but I knew you're not 184 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 5: going to say anything inflammatory for sure. 185 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 4: Where do you get the wisdom that you have, you know, 186 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 4: of your years? 187 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 3: Oh, I'm I appreciate you saying that. I that's a 188 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:01,760 Speaker 3: nice compliment, you know. I don't know, I feel like, weirdly, I've. 189 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 2: Had a lot of life experience just being in a 190 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 2: unique position in the music and entertainment industries, particularly young, 191 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 2: and it's forced me to do a lot of growing 192 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 2: and at the same time I've also had to like 193 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:20,480 Speaker 2: prioritize what makes me happy, and I've been through some 194 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 2: really difficult stuff to the point where I sort of 195 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 2: had to reprioritize what was important to me and what 196 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,680 Speaker 2: kept me grounded through it all. And I think it 197 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 2: actually took like being in those difficult situations where I 198 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 2: was able to take a step back and realize, like, 199 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 2: these are the things that keep me grounded, these are 200 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 2: the things that make me happy. My life is not 201 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 2: the music industry. My life is not the entertainment industry. 202 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:52,200 Speaker 2: That's my job, and after five o'clock, when it's done 203 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:54,520 Speaker 2: for the day, I go back to a very different 204 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 2: life than what people may see on camera or in 205 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:01,560 Speaker 2: here in my music. That's just the way I like 206 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 2: to keep it, and I think it actually contributes to 207 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 2: my ability to stay ground and then be wise and 208 00:11:08,400 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 2: sort of maybe that's the wisdom that you're referring to, 209 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 2: is well. 210 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 4: I get a sense instantly too, of your sense of 211 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:21,439 Speaker 4: gratitude that you have, and gratitude either in a moment 212 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 4: or where you are in your career, which once again 213 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 4: I think doesn't come to many folks at least right away. 214 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:35,960 Speaker 4: Where did you get your sense of gratitude. 215 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 2: I think I was raised right. I hate to say it, 216 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,280 Speaker 2: it's just I think it's my parents. They've just I mean, 217 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:49,480 Speaker 2: they always like from a time that we were at 218 00:11:49,520 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 2: a very young age. 219 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:53,280 Speaker 3: I have a twin sister, and I remember. 220 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 2: Like we'd be in public and anytime, like, you know, 221 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:58,600 Speaker 2: a stranger, like like, for instance, if we were on 222 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 2: a flight, right and the flight attendant it was like, 223 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 2: would you like it, ginger ill, sweetheart? And we'd be like, yes, please, 224 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 2: or we didn't say please, right. My parents would be like, 225 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 2: what do you say yes please? 226 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:12,920 Speaker 3: You know? And what else do you say? Thank you? 227 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 2: It was like, that's the way my parents raised me, 228 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 2: is to appreciate what other people do, even if it's 229 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 2: just the little things. And at the same time, I 230 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 2: am working on being more selfless, and that's something I 231 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:31,880 Speaker 2: think that anyone can always work on, because there's always 232 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 2: room to be more selfless. But I really appreciate you 233 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 2: saying that, and I am learning to live more a 234 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,839 Speaker 2: life of gratitude, and it's it's not always easy because 235 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:47,560 Speaker 2: sometimes I feel like, well, maybe maybe there's something else 236 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 2: that I could have that I don't have right now, 237 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:53,080 Speaker 2: you know, or maybe or these desires or wishes get 238 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:55,439 Speaker 2: ahead of me. But at the same time, like that's 239 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 2: kind of what Blessed was about, actually, like noticing those 240 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:03,640 Speaker 2: little things where you know, even if you want something 241 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 2: in the future, or you feel like you don't have something, 242 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 2: now flip the coin and say, well look what I 243 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:10,720 Speaker 2: do have. 244 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 3: That was the inspiration for it. 245 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 8: We'll be right back with more of the Taking a 246 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:24,679 Speaker 8: Walk podcast. Welcome back to the Taking a Walk Podcast. 247 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 4: Well, so let's talk about, you know, the new project, 248 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 4: and let's talk about your transparency that you're putting out 249 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 4: there in terms of some of the things that you've faced. 250 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 4: First of all, how can you be transparent as you 251 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 4: are and then talk about it through the songs that 252 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,280 Speaker 4: will be you know, coming out. 253 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:54,640 Speaker 2: So the cool thing about real Me is it's the 254 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:58,520 Speaker 2: let me say this, the last DP that I did, 255 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 2: It's about time. It felt like each of those songs 256 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:04,199 Speaker 2: kind of lived on their own and they were sort of. 257 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:05,320 Speaker 3: Put together in an EP. 258 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 2: Whereas real Me it feels like an advancement in my 259 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 2: artistry and my songwriting abilities, where it tells a cohesive 260 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:16,479 Speaker 2: story and the track listing. 261 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 3: Is even reflective of that. I mean it. 262 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 2: Starts with the song real Me, and that's sort of 263 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 2: talking about this identity crisis which I actually went through, 264 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:26,840 Speaker 2: like it's. 265 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 9: Hard being myself, easy to be someone else and not 266 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:31,880 Speaker 9: they're real Me, and. 267 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 2: Then it moves into I think the second song is 268 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: I don't remember what the sects so, but my point 269 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 2: is it tells a cohesive story from song to song 270 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 2: where it's like, you know, eventually it moves to the 271 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 2: highs and then it moves to the lows, and then 272 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 2: the really lows and then oh, things are starting to 273 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 2: look up up again, and by way Up, you know, 274 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,960 Speaker 2: the sixth track, it's like that's a song about like, hey, 275 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 2: I've been down now and way up you know, things 276 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 2: are starting to look up and give you up? Is 277 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,040 Speaker 2: the way it ends is sort of like, you know, 278 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 2: it's kind of like something so good, a love that's 279 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:14,640 Speaker 2: so good that you don't want to ever give it up. 280 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 3: And I leave it like that song ends. 281 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,520 Speaker 2: Open ended, like we don't resolve the melody on purpose 282 00:15:21,600 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 2: because I want it to be interpreted as the journey 283 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:26,680 Speaker 2: is never over, like you don't ever want to give 284 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 2: this up, and if you end the melody or resolve 285 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 2: the melody implies that it's done. 286 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 3: You know, so I forgot what your original question was, 287 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 3: though it. 288 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:42,840 Speaker 7: Was well transparency, sharing and being open and then obviously 289 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:47,239 Speaker 7: transferring to you know, your your new project. 290 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 3: Right. 291 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 2: Well, all that to say, it's I think that's the 292 00:15:52,520 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 2: point I'm trying to make in terms of transparency, which 293 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 2: is like, this is telling a the album is telling 294 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:01,680 Speaker 2: a cohesive story, and it's sharing these vulnerable parts of 295 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 2: this story that I just feel like I have something 296 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 2: to say that i've in a way that I've never 297 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 2: had something to say before, you know. And it's kind 298 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 2: of like like this is a bit of a comeback 299 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:14,920 Speaker 2: for me, you know, because I took that time off 300 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 2: to focus on, you know, my mental health or whatever. 301 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 2: And now it's like I get an opportunity to be 302 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:23,560 Speaker 2: the most transparent that I've ever been in this project. 303 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:27,360 Speaker 2: And I think that once the listener hears it, they're 304 00:16:27,400 --> 00:16:29,560 Speaker 2: going to see just how vulnerable it is and how 305 00:16:29,560 --> 00:16:31,360 Speaker 2: open I am in sharing this story. 306 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 4: And it must be terribly exhilarating to you knowing that 307 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 4: by you putting yourself out there that your audience will 308 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 4: engage with it, connect with it, and maybe you're helping 309 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 4: somebody else. 310 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, Oh that's the dream. 311 00:16:49,760 --> 00:16:55,160 Speaker 2: Like I honestly I've shifted my priorities and what I 312 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,840 Speaker 2: expect of my music too. Like I had this dream 313 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:01,000 Speaker 2: in the music industr I mean I still have it 314 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 2: to an extent that like, of course I want to 315 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 2: play these big shows and sell out venues and you know, 316 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 2: tour and like that's all fine and great, But like 317 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:14,720 Speaker 2: the emphasis that I'm placing more in why I'm doing 318 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,199 Speaker 2: this now after going through this journey is that I 319 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 2: want to like help change lives and like help people who. 320 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:21,480 Speaker 3: Really need it. 321 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:26,760 Speaker 2: And some of the music that I've been releasing lately, 322 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 2: like even as I released this song Blessed, which is 323 00:17:28,960 --> 00:17:31,400 Speaker 2: the first one on the project, it's like the messages. 324 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:33,480 Speaker 2: I think people know it's about mental health because I've 325 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 2: been open about it, But the messages that I get 326 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 2: from like fans on Instagram or cameo, they're like thanking 327 00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 2: me and talking about how this like changed their life 328 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 2: for X, Y and Z or how they're really using 329 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 2: this to cope with something else that's going on in 330 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 2: their lives. 331 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 3: And for me, like that is. 332 00:17:50,280 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 2: The most fulfilling thing that we can be doing as 333 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:57,800 Speaker 2: artists in the music industry, you know, Like, what what 334 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 2: is more important than changing someone's life for the better 335 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:02,960 Speaker 2: or improving or helping. 336 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 3: Someone to make their life better. 337 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 2: I just I feel like even if I don't sell 338 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,359 Speaker 2: out the venues or whatever at this point, like, of 339 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:13,400 Speaker 2: course I want to perform for people, but like, as 340 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 2: long as I know that my music is being received 341 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 2: and listen to and like it's affecting people the way 342 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 2: that it has thus far, I could stop it tomorrow and. 343 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 3: Die happy knowing I did all that I could. 344 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,880 Speaker 4: You know, we want to get you on our other 345 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 4: podcast that we have you called Music Save Me. And 346 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 4: my question about music and what it does to people 347 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:43,200 Speaker 4: is do you believe music as you know healing powers? 348 00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, oh yeah? 349 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:51,520 Speaker 2: Music is Music is God's universal language, you know. I 350 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,600 Speaker 2: mean what, there's one hundred and ninety two two hundred 351 00:18:54,760 --> 00:19:00,920 Speaker 2: languages on planet Earth, and we're each only fluent one 352 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 2: or two at the most, right, and yet music like 353 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 2: it doesn't matter the genre, it doesn't matter where you're from, 354 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,920 Speaker 2: It doesn't discriminate, right, It's anyone can listen to any 355 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 2: type of music and be affected in some type of 356 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:18,400 Speaker 2: way because it's a universal language that is easily interpretable 357 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,880 Speaker 2: by anyone, and we're all hearing the same thing, right, 358 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 2: And it doesn't require words. It just requires sounds and 359 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:28,920 Speaker 2: emotions and feelings. 360 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 3: I think that's I think that's so healing. 361 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:33,280 Speaker 1: You know. 362 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:36,520 Speaker 3: I just feel like. 363 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:43,840 Speaker 2: It brings up like connection in a way that nothing 364 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:47,119 Speaker 2: else in the world has the ability to connect like that. 365 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:51,199 Speaker 2: I mean, maybe something else, but I can't think of 366 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 2: anything as quickly as I think music has the potential 367 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 2: to do that. 368 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 3: That's just me. 369 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 5: Oh, I think you're right. 370 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:04,840 Speaker 6: I think the beauty of what you're saying at a 371 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:09,679 Speaker 6: time where we need more great stories is such a 372 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:13,600 Speaker 6: wonderful story. You know, you're coming at this with such 373 00:20:14,200 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 6: you know, of a genuine authenticity. 374 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:19,960 Speaker 5: It's just really beautiful to see. 375 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,440 Speaker 3: Oh, thank you. Yeah. 376 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:25,479 Speaker 2: I think authenticity is a key word for me on 377 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:26,160 Speaker 2: this project. 378 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:28,159 Speaker 1: You know. 379 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:32,640 Speaker 2: That's also why I named the album real Me, because 380 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 2: in the song real Me, like I said, I'm talking 381 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,680 Speaker 2: about identity struggles and as if the world is wanting 382 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 2: me to be something that I'm not, and that it 383 00:20:42,960 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 2: finally takes me like submitting to the fact that I 384 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 2: want to be my most authentic self and I'm going 385 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:55,159 Speaker 2: to do whatever it takes to be unapologetically myself. But 386 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,439 Speaker 2: what's interesting is that it started coming up as a 387 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 2: reference in other songs too, like I'm not there yet. 388 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 2: The next single that is coming out in December, there's 389 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 2: a lyric where it's like. 390 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:11,160 Speaker 9: Every time I'll wander off the path, you always lead 391 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:14,919 Speaker 9: me back to where I'll be long and I know 392 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 9: it's forgetting lyric and no, and then and then and 393 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:21,080 Speaker 9: then this it's the real me. 394 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 3: I have to look at the lyrics. 395 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 2: It's been a while since I sang it back, but 396 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:30,720 Speaker 2: there's an example there right where it's like, again, this 397 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 2: real me reference comes up where it's like, somehow the 398 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 2: idea of being unapologetically myself comes into the writing on 399 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:42,520 Speaker 2: that song too, And there was another song on the 400 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 2: album too. There's three songs that talk about the reference 401 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:51,200 Speaker 2: of real Me. I can't remember what the third one is. 402 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:53,639 Speaker 2: I'd have to listen back. But again, the point is 403 00:21:53,680 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 2: it kept coming up in the writing set. In the 404 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:58,959 Speaker 2: writing sessions for each of these songs, I was like, 405 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 2: this has to be the name of the album. 406 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 3: This is a consistent theme. 407 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:05,720 Speaker 2: So that's why I named it real Me, because it 408 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:10,479 Speaker 2: sort of epitomizes this common thread of the story and 409 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:14,359 Speaker 2: what I went through into one, you know, like overarching theme. 410 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:20,320 Speaker 4: So in closing, as somebody who has faced your own 411 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 4: challenges with issues around your mental health issues, what do 412 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:30,840 Speaker 4: you want to tell the audience that they should know 413 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 4: that people who are dealing with their own crisis or 414 00:22:34,880 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 4: issues of. 415 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:38,600 Speaker 5: You know, maybe can't get out to others. 416 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:40,239 Speaker 4: What do you what do you want people to know 417 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 4: about those that are facing challenges like that? 418 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:50,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, look, I mean the truth is what I went through. 419 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:54,640 Speaker 2: I call it mental health, but it doesn't. 420 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:54,960 Speaker 3: Need a label. 421 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:57,840 Speaker 2: I just went through what everyone goes through at some 422 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:00,320 Speaker 2: point of their lives. You know, I'm still young twenty 423 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 2: six where I feel like I was dealing with issues 424 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:06,240 Speaker 2: of identity and who am I in the great big world, 425 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:07,679 Speaker 2: in the great big scheme of things? 426 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,359 Speaker 3: Or you know, what is my purpose in life? 427 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 2: And what's working in my life and what's not and 428 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,280 Speaker 2: if it's not working, how. 429 00:23:16,200 --> 00:23:17,000 Speaker 3: Do I change that? 430 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: These are super existential questions that can you know, if 431 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,920 Speaker 2: not answered or given the attention that they deserve, can 432 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 2: cause these issues of sadness or depressions, you know, universal 433 00:23:31,600 --> 00:23:35,160 Speaker 2: emotions that we all experience, right, So sure the label 434 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:37,919 Speaker 2: is mental health. But I think that beyond the label 435 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:41,000 Speaker 2: or whatever you call it, they're just these universal feelings 436 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 2: of having to go through the hardships of life, and 437 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 2: that we all go through those questions at some point 438 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 2: of our lives. 439 00:23:46,960 --> 00:23:49,479 Speaker 3: And how could that not be more relatable, you know. 440 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:52,919 Speaker 2: So the fact that I get to share to my 441 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:57,119 Speaker 2: music is just is important to me because I found 442 00:23:57,119 --> 00:24:00,879 Speaker 2: my piece, and I found my resils billions and my 443 00:24:01,080 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 2: resolve and my solace. 444 00:24:04,040 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 3: In going through that journey. 445 00:24:05,480 --> 00:24:07,800 Speaker 2: And like I said, I can confidently say that it 446 00:24:07,920 --> 00:24:10,080 Speaker 2: changed my life for the better, and it changed my 447 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 2: life forever to the point that I don't think I'll 448 00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 2: have to go through it again because it's done now. 449 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:19,040 Speaker 2: But if I can use this music to inspire other 450 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:22,240 Speaker 2: people who may be struggling with those same questions or 451 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 2: issues to feel like they're not alone in those issues, 452 00:24:27,480 --> 00:24:30,640 Speaker 2: then how that's beautiful, you know. And I think that's 453 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:34,000 Speaker 2: a gift that I have this opportunity with you know, 454 00:24:34,359 --> 00:24:38,919 Speaker 2: Capital CMG, and an opportunity with the record that I 455 00:24:39,040 --> 00:24:42,840 Speaker 2: made to get that message out to the masses and 456 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 2: let it be heard by as many people as possible 457 00:24:46,320 --> 00:24:47,640 Speaker 2: who need to hear it. 458 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:49,240 Speaker 3: So that's that's my hope. 459 00:24:49,800 --> 00:24:53,160 Speaker 5: Congratulations on it and I'll love your soul. 460 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 3: Oh, thank you so much. 461 00:24:54,800 --> 00:24:57,000 Speaker 2: I really appreciate you taking the time to meet buzz 462 00:24:57,080 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 2: Yank means a lot. 463 00:24:58,359 --> 00:24:58,679 Speaker 3: Thank you. 464 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:03,320 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a 465 00:25:03,359 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 1: Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends 466 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking 467 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:14,760 Speaker 1: a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, 468 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 1: and wherever you get your podcasts.