Interview with Drew Lucas.
Interviewed by: Gohar Grigorian
New York City is the one that never sleeps, and Drew Lucas is an up and comer from that area. He recently released his track “Put Your Thoughts On Me Instead”, and Gohar got the chance to chat with him.
He’ll be your new favorite artist, you’re welcome.
We listened to “Put Your Thoughts On Me Instead” and it has such a chill indie rock vibe. Who do you draw inspiration from?
I’m inspired by artists who tap into universal human experiences by sharing their own personal stories. I love hearing small, intimate details in lyrics that manage to create a deeper sense of connection with the listener. Some of my favorite artists that pull this off in their songs are Paul Simon, Phoebe Bridgers, and Frank Ocean. Everytime I listen to their music, I become deeply immersed in the moments that they describe as though I am witnessing them firsthand. This sense of collective experience is one of the incredible feats the music and storytelling are able to accomplish.
We can hear some modern coffee shop vibes coming from your music. What’s your fav coffee shop to go to?
While I don’t drink much coffee myself, I do find that they are a great place to go for people watching. When looking around the room, you come across such a wide range of characters, especially in the middle of New York City. I often find myself trying to imagine the lives and backgrounds of all these people, each going through their own experiences that define their identity. There are a ton of great spots in the East Village to do this, from The Bean on Astor Place to Ninth Street on the north edge of Tompkins.
What’s your experience in the music industry in NYC?
New York City has served as an incredible creative hub for the growth of my career in music. I’ve found it very inspiring to be surrounded by so many other artists, each person passionately refining their own work, whether in music, film, or visual art. Where other areas and groups may take on a sense of competition, I’ve been extremely lucky to experience an atmosphere of encouragement and collaboration. Even on this single alone, I’ve worked with a wide range of artists, each contributing to the project in a different way from the album art to the music video.
Your tiktoks look like a ton of fun. What’s the process of making covers to go on tiktok?
The TikToks began while quarantining in the basement of my childhood home last April. I have always viewed covers as a fun way to try out different sounds and styles, so it was exciting to bring these out into the public. The songs ranged from what was trending, like Frank Ocean and Wallows, to older tracks that I thought viewers might have forgotten about, such as early Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys. It was awesome to see these videos start gaining attention and hear how much these songs meant to everyone that listened.
Speaking of tiktok, what do you think of that platform as a place to grow your artist project?
I think that TikTok has become an extremely powerful tool for artists to find their audience. When scrolling through my feed, I come across so many talented creators using the platform to share their work. It’s incredible to see such a huge spectrum of artists and storytellers, each approaching the 15 second video in an exciting and original way. I definitely hope to continue using TikTok as a means of sharing my music with the world and interacting with my audience. It’s been incredible to see the songs and videos that I make in my bedroom reaching thousands of people that find some sense of connection to my music.
As a DIY artist, we see you play all the instruments. Do you have a favorite?
I’ve been playing classical piano since I was five years old, so that definitely holds a special place in my heart. Even though I’ve taken on a range of sounds and instruments over the past few years, a lot of my songwriting process still comes down to sitting at a keyboard and playing with different lyrics and melodies. It was the resounding piano chords that came first when writing, “Put Your Thoughts On Me Instead,” and still serve as the centerpiece of the final version. Using the keys of the piano to translate whatever thoughts and emotions might be going on below the surface has always been an important part of my life.
Finally we love to share new and up and coming artists, who are you listening to lately?
There’s been so much good music coming out recently that it’s hard to narrow it down! Some of my favorite up and coming artists recently have been boylife, Dijon, and Nilüfer Yanya. They’re all making music that’s exciting and original while still crafting gorgeous melodies and lyrics. Definitely check them out if you haven’t already!