With a mix of bold and euphoric releases emerging over the last few months, Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Richard Orofino now returns with his latest anthemic offering 'Fall Apart'.
Taking his cues from the broader side of alt-pop throughout, 'Fall Apart' makes for an incredibly dense and powerful track. With a heady blend of blistering production and his own captivating vocals, be sure to check out this and everything else he has been releasing over the last year.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Definitely the piano. I took piano lessons at a very young age but always struggled learning to read music. I was a pretty bad student during a class, but absolutely fell in love with teaching myself how to play and write songs by ear in-between my lessons. It’s where I really began to learn about what creativeness can be achieved on the piano.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I hung-out with myself all the time growing up creating music, art, movies, etc. During that time I learned so much about myself, it paved a new path of viewing inside of my brain. Writing about other people’s lives is also something I love to do, even if i didn’t know them personally. Most of my music is about my partner, and relationships with family as well. Being able to write about different things definitely became easier once I discovered more about myself first.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I grew up listening to a lot of grunge and hair music. My parents loved playing 80’s and 90’s rock bands around the house and in the car so I knew a lot about that, haha. But the first music I truly discovered on my own was all of that good indie from the 2000’s, bands like Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Real Estate, Modest Mouse. I finally heard something I have never heard before and that whole era and scene really changed my ears forever.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
“Wake Up” by Arcade Fire. I had such a strong reaction my first time hearing that song. I couldn’t believe something like that could exist. It was so raw and full of emotion, and sounded like it was recorded in someone’s basement. At that time, I wasn’t exposed to anything remotely close to that musical world.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been really into Kacy Hill’s recent album from this year. It’s one of those albums I’ve just playing on constant repeat. Another one of those albums was Caroline Polachek’s recent one. Those are two of my favorite’s at the moment!
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Almost all of them. I would say maybe only 20% are about people that don’t exist or someone I’ve never met. I want to start writing more about imaginary characters and their struggles.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
Being able to get into the studio with the rapper Twista. Twista was a rapper I would be listening to on my iPod on the bus to middle school, definitely never could have imagined myself ever getting to work with him one day. It was so amazing, that guy is ridiculously talented, so it was pretty unusual haha. But I definitely am so thankful that I could experience something like that.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
I wouldn’t say I have one passion other than music. I definitely love movies and making videos. It was something I did all day everyday growing up by myself, with my siblings, or with friends. I still do that now especially with music videos where I am either doing them on my own, or am very hands on and working with creatives I admire. I also love cooking and making visual art very very much.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Definitely something involved in filming or editing videos. My dream was always to be a director.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
Don’t do anything that doesn’t feel truthful to yourself and never compromise your artistic image! That image is a precious thing, so listen to your deepest self and trust those guts.
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Richard Orofino's new single 'Fall Apart' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.