MY NEW MIXTAPE
Q Could you discuss what was inspiring you to write the lyrics to Who’s Your Daddy?
It was a cocktail of anger and confusion with a garnish of pity. Was just trying to get my head around how half the country thinks our current president is anything other than a con man. I tried to give his voter base every benefit of the doubt but ultimately came to the conclusion that they’re just largely ignorant, scared and sad.
Q How do you find you strike a balance between being critical and being funny in your lyrics at the same time?
I think it’s a laugh or you’ll cry type thing. 🙂
I’m not a fan of overly earnest art. I think you need to balance the salty with the sweet even when the subject matter crosses into the existential realm. Or maybe because it does. I wrote and released it because I wasn’t sure I’d be allowed to in a year if we keep on this political path.. scary stuff .
Q Why did you choose the title “Who’s your daddy?” as the hook?
Part of my theory is that anyone who looks up Trump would have to have had less than ideal male role models growing up. They seem blind to his obvious faults and almost prefer that he’s a piece of shit human.
Q There’s a feeling of betrayal in the lyrics—was that something you experienced yourself or just observed?
I do feel like there was a class assignment and only half of us read the book. I am angry with his voters. I do think they largely voted against their own interests and the rest of us have to live with that outcome. Voting for him as a known quantity (unlike the first election) was a dealbreaker for me.
Q Was it challenging to be able to make the song both contemporary and timeless in a simultaneous manner?
I didn’t really think about the production of the song. Which, as a music production is kind of funny actually. I wanted the lyrics to be the only thing vying for the listener’s attention so I kept the accompaniment to just a single picked guitar (and the birds outside my window)
Q How much of your own aggravation went into the creation of this song?
146%
Q How do you balance a song that is about serious subject matter like this without it getting too heavy or bitter?
Even though this is arguably the most consequential time in our lives it isn’t an excuse to take yourself too seriously. And I think art hits harder when there’s humor involved. It communicates a lack of fear on some level.
Q To what degree do you think experiences growing up affect political sentiments later on in life, as you intimate in the lyrics?
I’m not sure this answers the question, but I think we kind of crossed over into the darkest timeline when Bernie didn’t get the nomination in 2016. I feel like the democrats really misread the room when it came to the general population’s level of fatigue over establishment candidates.
Q Do you think that your sense of humor aids people in being able to hear difficult truths more easily through your music?
I think it might keep someone listening longer than if the zingers weren’t in there… 🙂
Q Do you believe the people who would claim to identify with the target of the song’s audience will perceive that, or is it literally for all other people?
It’s kind of a win/win for me. If someone identifies as the subject of this song that’s on them.. it’s a self identification. So I hope that gives them something to think about. If you still support Trump you are either in denial or totally ok with Olympic levels of hypocrisy.
Q How do you handle personally the hurt or anger of seeing the hypocrisy you write about?
Song writing is definitely therapeutic. It’s a great way to distill thoughts and settle on a worldview regarding things that aren’t black and white.
Q What kind of reactions have you seen from the audience when you perform Who’s Your Daddy?
I don’t really perform live but I’ve been humbled and heartened by the reactions. People all over the world seem to be on the same page and I feel like if we keep that momentum going on a macro scale we can turn this around.
