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New York-Based Singer-Songwriter GRABBITZ Discusses His Latest Single ‘Polaroid,’ Working With Deadmau5 and More!
Posted On 13 Mar 2019
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Meet singer-songwriter Grabbitz!
Racking in over 40 million streams on Spotify, New York native Grabbitz impacted the industry with his smooth vocals on hit singles “All Alone” and “Here With You Now.” He teamed up with Deadmau5 on single “Let Go”, which skyrocketed to the top oft charts and made him one of the most sought after vocalists in dance music.
As his music began to evolve, his sound transformed to cater for more pop driven hooks and live performances. In his latest release “Polaroid,” he shows off his vocal talents and hip-hop flare proving his versatility as both an artist and producer. Addressing a tumultuous relationship in the single, Grabbitz exhibits a lot of emotion that ultimately results in destroying all the memories he had of the relationship in order to move on.
With Rolling Stone coining him as one of their ’10 Artists You Need To Know’, Grabbitz is definitely an artist to keep on your radar in 2019.
Connect With GRABBITZ Here:
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud
Learn more about Grabbitz in the following All Access interview:
Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?
Thank YOU, I’m happy to give it to you. You got me in Buffalo. Sitting in a room with speakers and instruments.
Now that 2019 has started, what musical goals do you have for yourself and your music this new year? Did you make any new year’s resolutions?
As far as musical goals, I am always trying to push my sonic envelope in some way, so I guess the goal is to try new things. Especially new things with my voice, and to let the people hear it. I am always focusing on refining my craft and trying to increase my output.
Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make? Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?
I can’t remember a time growing up without music being the most fascinating thing to me. I remember one time in particular in my family’s kitchen I sang my parents a song I wrote on an acoustic guitar, and they said something along the lines of “woah that was really good.” After I got a taste of what it was like to write music I don’t think there was a doubt in my mind that I had to continue down that path, with whatever vehicle possible. Music has been and remains the most important thing in my life aside from the people I love dearly… the obsession is almost weird and I usually connect with people who love it as much as I do.
What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
The biggest surprise I guess was realizing how quickly your music can spread, and how it can land you within 1 degree of separation between you and your favorite artists..
How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live now?
Definitely just by the people in it. My fam and day one friends have always believed in me and always made me feel free to explore music and put myself out there without worrying about being judged. So I tried a lot.
Let’s talk about your newest single called “Polaroid.” What was the inspiration for this song? How would you say that it is different or similar to anything else that you have previously released?
Polaroid is my storybook version of a heartbreak. All of my songs are rooted in truth but no one ever really knows just how much. I would say it’s different because it’s more of a pop structure. I would say my music is always evolving, but with the same underlying identity. I like storytelling, singing, rapping, producing beats, creating songs, so no matter what genre, you’re listening to something I put a lot of love into.
I’d love to know what it was like teaming up with Deadmau5 on your track, “Let Go”?
I just wrote a song over the top of one of his instrumentals and put it online. He found it some months later and wanted to work together. Needless to say that was an “oh shit” moment. I’ve looked up to mau5 musically for a long time, and to be recognized by someone like that is an incredible feeling.
When do you hope to release a full collection of new songs? Is that a goal of yours this year?
The new album is coming this year, if not 2. I’m just trying to get it into as many ears as I can so they can understand me as an artist.
What does it mean to you be recognized by Rolling Stone as a “10 Artists You Need To Know”?
That was in 2017 but it was dope because it came after I released my album Things Change, which was a new direction for me that I’m still heading in, and it made me feel reassured I was making the right decision.
What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?
It’s turned into part of my job, but my favorite place to connect with fans right now is Instagram Live. I can invite them on and essentially FaceTime them in front of everyone in the Livestream. It’s crazy fulfilling talking to people from all over the world listening to my records daily. Can’t even really process it honestly I just keep going forward.
Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?
Trent Reznor, Marshall Mathers, Sonny Moore, Justin Timberlake, the NBHD, TOP. It would be dope to work with Lana idk I’ll work with anyone who likes music as much as I do and doesn’t care about rules or what’s expected.
Where can fans see you perform next? Do you have any kind of a 2019 tour scheduled yet?
We’re building a live show and people will be able to book this year where I can rock your face off.
If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?
Probably a video of an entire band plus myself, all hanging on wire from planes or choppers and all of our equipment hanging from wires, and performing the whole song in the air, then towards the end, all of the members and me have our wires cut and the camera follows us as we fall until we deploy our parachutes singing the end of the song. I have no fuckin idea this is the first thing I thought of when reading this question. Or maybe throw a party like Fyre Fest just to perform one song for the video.
If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you take with you and why?
A jaw harp. Because it sounds cool.
If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?
I want my music used by Tarantino. In any way possible. We both share an intense love for Ennio Morricone and a lot of my music is inspired by him so I think there’s a shot.
At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I just want them to feel something. I want them to enjoy it so it enhances their lives.