After a wondrous array of releases under his belt over these last few years, US artist Justin Bigart is back once again to deliver his euphoric new single 'Angel'.
Lifted from his forthcoming new album 'Pretty Dopamine Bullets', which is set to arrive soon, 'Angel' makes for an incredibly rich and dynamic listen. With his warm and mesmerising voice layered across an anthemic production from start to finish, he is certainly looking to turn some heads with this immersive new outing.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his background and what has been inspiring him lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with as a player/musician was the guitar. The acoustic guitar initially because of its simplicity and later the electric guitar which is predominantly what I play now. As a listener, I’ve always loved cello, hammond organ and the minimoog…basically different flavours of instruments that can create swirling atmospheric pads.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
It was always a mixture of rock, country and R&B…depending on the mood, setting and season. Led Zeppelin, Willie Nelson, U2, Peter Gabriel, Johnny Cash, Genesis, The Beatles, The Doors, Garth Brooks, R.E.M., The Cure, Aerosmith, Nirvana, Pearl Jam to Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men and En Vogue.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Peter Gabriel’s “So”... And, I’ve since realised how deeply Daniel Lanois' work (with Peter, U2, Dylan, etc) has influenced almost every aspect of my original music decades later.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen …Jeff Buckley’s version.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Yes. I have to be travelling. I find it nearly impossible to write at home. Optimally, I’m travelling via motorcycle, stopping in the evenings to write at night in crowded bars or in coffee shops in the morning. For me, words always come first then music. After a good long motorcycle trip, I come back with journals full of hand-written words, ideas, song fragments, pictures. The visual ideas are key for me as I think in pictures. One image can inspire a full song or album. Then, I’ll start working those pieces into musical ideas usually with an acoustic guitar.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
The National, War on Drugs, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Interpol, Bon Iver, Kevin Morby, Ben Howard & Zach Bryan.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
The National
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I find that the work…whether practising an instrument, writing a song, performing, recording…feeds the soul in a positive way. I guess what I’m trying to say is, that it all feels like a good use of time. Learning, growing, expressing myself. Becoming a better human being. Contributing art to the world. And, doing it within a community of like-minded artists. It’s all pretty therapeutic compared to other forms of “work” that I have plenty of experience with.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I get most frustrated when I try to force it. Meaning, when my expectations or a business goal start taking the driver's seat on my journey as an artist. In my experience, most of the marketing activities related to being a musician (especially an independent musician) feel like pushing a rope. The harder you try the lower the outcome. I keep reminding myself to just let go and focus on writing and recording increasingly better songs, making each live show better than the last one and continue telling an authentic story and - with some patience - the audience will grow and the related musical opportunities will continue to improve. Bring a bit of zen to the experience.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Be and do rather than think and try”...from Rick Rubin’s A Creative Act. I received a copy of this book earlier this year (maybe April-ish). It came at a time when I was questioning my decision to become a full-time artist. I read it in one sitting. Couldn’t put it down. This quote has become a bit of a personal mantra sense.
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Justin Bigart's new single 'Angel' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.