Getting To Know... Savon Bartley

With a wave of bold and fresh hip-hop jams already under his belt so far this year, New Jersey-based MC Savon Bartley now returns with the bright and bouncing new offering 'Chicago Girl'.

With its fun and funk-filled groove, 'Chicago Girl' makes for an incredibly engaging return for the frontman. Filled with smooth grooves, seductive guitar licks, and his own progressive flow, this new jam is the solid comeback we were all hoping for from him.

So with the release surging right now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has inspired him most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

The first instrument I fell in love with was the drums. I joined the band in middle school. For the audition you had to try each instrument and then you stayed with the one that you did best at. I was terrible at all of them except for the drums. As soon as I picked up the sticks everything came so natural to me.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

Life. The music I make is a reflection of the life I live, the places I go, and the people I meet. If nothing exciting or inspirational happens in my real life then I don’t make anything. If I meet someone new or hear a conversation I like or go somewhere that moves me then I write something about it.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

All I listened to were alternative rock bands. Green Day, Linkin Park, Switchfoot, Blink 182, Paramore. At some point in my career I want to combine that sound with my own and make something new.

Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?

I don’t remember the song but it was during a time I was listening to a lot of Twista, Busta Rhymes, and Common. Those artists are still in my rotation but back then, their music made me say “I could do that too.”

When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?

Gospel or soul music. I’m not a morning person so I need something smooth or inspirational while I make coffee. I can’t listen to anything that requires too much energy.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

All of them. The entire song isn’t always about people I know but the stories or conversations we have are always included in my music. My songs document my life so I like to draw from real people that are a part of it.

What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?

Traveling. Anytime I’ve had the opportunity to travel to a new place, eat new food, and meet new people, because of music, is always a memorable moment.

Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?

Theatre. I’m working on a play right now. I can’t wait to share it with everyone. If I’m not working on music I’m definitely working on something in the world of theater. It’s honestly my first love.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

I would be a lawyer or a professor at a university. That may seem pretty far from music but I was serious about both of those things for a really long time. Music just took over at some point. If I wasn’t doing any of those other careers I would be driving trains for sure.

And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?

Do it for the love first. If you get into the music business for any other reason than that and it doesn’t go the way you plan you’ll lose the passion and you might turn bitter. If you do it because you love it and you can’t see yourself doing anything else then the good things will come to you eventually.

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Savon Bartley's new single 'Chicago Girl' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.