An Interview with The LA-Based Musician ADAM FRIEDMAN!

The LA-based singer/songwriter, Adam Friedman, recently released his debut EP “Green.” The collection is available for purchase on iTunes and Spotify.

Adam got the chance to perform his single “What If” on an episode of The Bachelor a couple weeks ago on February 13th on ABC and on The Today Show too.

Up next in 2017, Adam will have an original song featured in the upcoming movie, Rock Dog, starring Luke Wilson and J.K. Simmons and a track from the EP will be synced on the Christian Slater show Bull.  Match.com, Oreo and Pepsi all have come on board to support “What If” through social media partnerships, advertising and marketing.

2016 was just the start for Adam Friedman. “Pretty Things“, “Lemonade” (ft. Mike Posner) and “Sad” have surpassed 20 MILLION streams across all DSPs.  He previously performed on The Today Show, debuted the video for “Lemonade” on Elvis Duran, toured with Mike Posner and opened for Maroon 5 in LA.

Learn more about Adam Friedman in the following All Access interview:

What are some words you would use to describe 2016? What were some of the highlights for you and your music? What are you most excited about for 2017? Did you make any New Years Resolutions?

-For the country: Strange. Unfortunate. Wake-up call. For me: foundational. focused. change. Some major career highlights happened including: I started working with my manager/business partner, Max Snow. A real life changer. Together we built an incredible team of people that have been responsible for getting my music on the Spotify Viral charts, performances on the Today Show, a performance on The Bachelor, numerous gigs around the country, a plethora of new material and the list goes on. 2016 was all about building a solid foundation for me. Now, I know that I still have more foundation work to do but, 2016 was a massive first step. I think 2017 will be a GREAT year. I just have a feeling. I’m REALLY looking forward to releasing my EP, touring, and writing more songs than I did in 2016. I’m not a big New Years resolutions guy. I try and take note of what I can improve upon moving forward, though. 

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your first musical memory?

-I did. I also wanted to be a helicopter pilot but that never panned out. My first musical memory…hearing myself recorded for the first time. That’s always a crazy moment. Almost like looking in the mirror for the first time but I think most of us were too young to remember that.  

Next month, you will be releasing your debut EP, “Green.” What was it like putting this collection together? What was the inspiration behind these songs?

-It was a lot of work. I put my phone down (for the most part), hid away with some instruments, a few handy musical friends and a computer. It was GREAT. A lot of the inspiration came from a past relationship. I could have named the EP “A Collection of Love Songs” but…I didn’t. I also draw inspiration from questioning where I fit in amongst my friends, religious beliefs or lack thereof, and my connection to something greater then myself.

How did you get to be involved with playing on The Bachelor and have your music featured on the show too in a couple weeks?

-My publicist is amazing and she’s constantly busting her ass for me. As far as featuring my music, I just make the best music I can and sometimes the fruits of my labor pay off. Emphasis on “sometimes!”

What was it like touring with Mike Posner last year? Do you have a bunch of shows coming up this year to promote your EP?

-Touring with Mike was incredible, as always. It allowed me to hone in on my performance skills and it was really interesting to see how a fully equipped touring band functions. I try and be a sponge as much as I can in those situations. It was also a TON of fun as anyone can imagine. His crew is one hundred percent. For this year, we’re currently working on some future tour plans. 

Photo Credit- Tynan Daniels

What artists have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

-Off the top of my head, Coldplay, John Mayer, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra. There’s an infinite amount more but those artists always come back around. There’s something about their music that keeps drawing me back to it. I think it’s the conviction they have. There’s so many people I’d love to work with. That being said, I’m taking each collaboration as they come to me, but most importantly I’m assessing each one and if it fits right into what I’m doing. Of course it’s easy to say I’d love to work with Avicii, Coldplay, John Mayer, Paul McCartney and every other massive artist but there’s just so many artists big and small to collaborate with. I’m sure life will work some great ones out for me as long as I keep putting in the work.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs?

-I hope they get inspired. Whether they get inspired to make music or get inspired to do something else, I hope it affects them in a positive way. I hope it makes them take action on something they’re passionate about. I don’t necessarily hope there’s a particular ‘message.’ I just hope my music connects with people in whatever way fit.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself and your music?

-I believe that action is the only way to affect change in one’s life. Not sitting on social media and judging what others say. I believe that in order to be happy, you must constantly be working on improving yourself and expanding your outlook on life. Make a constant daily effort to read, watch and listen to the world around you. One of the biggest eye openers for me is looking back on all the things I “thought” I stood for in the past and watching myself now go in the complete opposite direction – I think that’s beautiful. When I say opposite direction, I’m not taking going from believing the world is wonderful to believing it’s hell on earth. Although, after this election it’s easy to believe that. I’m talking, take a good look at yourself and your daily habits and the people you surround yourself with and ask: do the people, beliefs and my actions reflect self-progress, new ideas and growth? Be honest! From your diet to the decisions you make every single day. If the answer is no, chances are you’re taking the path of least resistance. TAKE THE HARD ROAD. It will ALWAYS pay off. -love, Adam