After breaking through with his highly-praised debut single 'In My Lane' last year, emerging artist Amir Ekbatani is back on the grind once again to deliver his euphoric new offering 'Tell Me You Love Me'.
Honing a wonderfully bright and uplifting 80s-inspired aesthetic for his newest outing, 'Tell Me You Love Me' makes for a brilliantly warm and inviting listen. With his sweeping vocal performance spread across a soaring pop-rock production from start to finish, he is continuing to cement himself as one of the more dynamic names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
When I was 6 years old I wanted to play the saxophone and trumpet. I saw them on TV and became obsessed. My parents said we couldn’t afford it. My mother would always encourage me to sing instead. I was always shy about my voice until fairly recently but have always wanted to be a singer and have a deep admiration for great singers like Frank Sinatra and Amy Winehouse.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
All I listened to when I was a boy was Michael Jackson. He was my absolute hero. I can remember being obsessed with unique sounds in songs. The lead melodies in Aha - Take On Me and Show Me Love - Robin S. As well as the string melody in Gangstas Paradise - Coolio. So my taste was always eclectic because I was mostly interested in sounds and not genres.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Off The Wall - Michael Jackson. On cassette.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Daughters - John Mayer
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I try to finish everything I've started. Even if I hate it. Sometimes something you can’t stand can grow into something fantastic if you just give it the time to mature. It’s also much better to have a completely shitty idea than to have a hard drive full of “brilliant” concepts.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I'm really digging the newest release “Hard Dreams" by Gesaffelstein and am counting the days til his new album release.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I think it would be a dream to open for The Killers. I think I could warm up their crowd appropriately. Plus they are all-time heroes of mine.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Making something that helps someone feel not alone in the world. Songs have always done that for me and in my limited experience of releasing music, I've received messages from people expressing that my song motivated them, or they felt the same way, etc. That’s pretty incredible. There’s nothing in my life that has given me a greater feeling of fulfillment.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The narcissism inherent to the industry.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
If you believe the “good” feedback you’ll believe the “bad” feedback. Basically, to use feedback and external validation as a tool and not as oxygen.
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Amir Ekbatani's new single 'Tell Me You Love Me' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.