After the enormous response to his much-loved EP 'Interludes & Daydreams p.1' in 2021, LA-based artist Your Ex is now looking to follow up his recent collection with 'Interludes & Daydreams p.2'.
Capturing more of that warm and tender R&B-inspired flavour he is known for, 'Interludes & Daydreams p.2' makes for an incredibly rousing listen. With his rich and transportive voice layered across a shimmering production from start to finish, he is continuing to prove himself as one of the more captivating names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream 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 guitar. There’s so much expression and emotion involved in that one instrument, I was never that great at it because I still to this day get so lost it in.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Pattie Labelle, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and a plethora of Christian gospel artists all of which were very soulful and emotional. I always gravitated to the music that made me feel the deepest emotion and made me feel connected to something bigger. Dwele was a big influence in my teenage years.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I wasn't allowed to just buy anything, I lived in a religious household so as soon as I got a little bit of freedom and I had my own money I went Ham I can’t even remember how many albums I bought but I do remember “Dwele - some kinda” was possibly the first album I bought and played into the ground Along with college dropout. My older brother introduced me to Dwele when we were kids along with soulive, slum village, the roots, mf doom, Q-tip, Quasimodo & Thundercat just to name a few .. but “Some kinda” is a classic that changed my perspective on the purpose of love and music.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I have two! “ Fire we make” Alicia keys and Maxwell And “old lovas” by Dwele, they are two impossibly beautiful songs.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I just like to make sure nothing can get in the way of creating so I work out eat good take additional protein shakes and vitamins “because I know I’m going to get lost in work” then I’ll take a 5 minute hot shower followed by a 30 second cold shower finally I grab some tea, do some light warm up the phones go away & I sit in silence for a few minutes then I turn the volume all the way up and just float away for a few hours.
Who are your favorite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’d have to say Smino - he’s on another planet right now lyrically and sonically.
Tyler the creator- has always been on repeat because it’s authentic.
Raveena- there’s an undeniable warmth and calm that comes along with her music.
Frank ocean- I dissect his music differently every-time I hear it.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Leon Bridges, Lenny Kravitz or Coldplay. The energy at their shows is infectious. I want when people finally get to experience my performances even at the smallest capacity I want every sense stimulated and emotions to run very high. If no one cries, falls in love or calls their ex to work things out I failed.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Seeing people personally affected (in a positive way) and influenced by the art you’ve created. Seeing people connect love and feel loved because of something I created will never get old for me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Life. There’s so much to be frustrated about. Computers, payouts, admin, streaming services, gatekeepers, global warming, society but you do what you do, figure out a way and push through.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Keep going. There are so many really good artists out there, so much great undiscovered talent so much so that it's easy to forget who you are and let imposter syndrome set in. Everyone is different and should sound different don’t stunt your growth by comparing yourself to unreasonable standards.
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Your Ex's new EP 'Interludes & Daydreams p.2' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.