Your new single “Just Keep Dancing” is the epitome of pop music!! Can you share a bit about the creative process and the story behind this new track?
Son Savage: Thank you! Ever since I put out my debut album "Folie à Deux" last October, I've been spending time in the studio writing a lot of new material. On a recent trip to Dubai, I was hanging out at Sleiman Damien's place, casually enjoying a drink. We had a mini listening session there where I showed him a bunch of new songs I've been working on and "Just Keep Dancing" struck a chord with him. We got to work almost immediately and the synergy between us really helped - we both knew each other's strengths and we bounced that energy off each other to come up with something really cool.
When did your love for music begin? Did you always know deep down you’d end up pursuing it?
Son Savage: Music came to me as an answer to an existential question. At 13 years old, I had my first experience with death when my grandmother passed away. While visiting her at the cemetery, my mother told me to "close my eyes and pray". I did, but I could not remember any of the words of the prayers I was taught. Instead, I heard a tune in my head, and that was when I truly made that relationship with music. To me, music was what my grandmother left me after she died, and it was the prayer that came to me when I couldn't pray. From that day on, it also became all I could ever think about. I have that very tune tattooed on my left arm, and I consider it to be the first song I ever wrote.
How hard was it making the transition from corporate work life to pursuing music?
Son Savage: It's always hard to take the path less chosen. Corporate life, although it sucks your soul out, provides some sort of consistency that you hide under to feel safe. I still use my skills in communications and marketing by consulting for major agencies and brands in the region but my priorities have shifted. It was another moment of awakening, similar to that time I wrote my first song. I experienced the 3rd largest explosion in history on August 4th, 2020 in Beirut. From that moment, everything shifted and my priorities were set straight - I no longer needed that corporate consistency, because I realized life is too short and unpredictable for us to try to make it consistent.
Who would you say are your biggest inspirations when it comes to your music?
Son Savage: I discover new artists that inspire me all the time. Music is an evolving thing, and as an artist, your pursuit should not be one specific sound but rather a sonic identity that keeps evolving with you as you grow. My songwriting is definitely inspired by a lot of Swedish pop, especially that I traveled and wrote there many years ago with some of the most prolific songwriters in Europe. I write my horns like I'm in a big band, write my harmonies like I'm in Boyz II Men, and write my guitars like I am John Mayer. I really don't have one reference point, there are things I've loved and picked up from so many talented artists I've listened to throughout my life.
What is the top item on your bucket list for your career?
Son Savage: Currently, a tour would be amazing. I would love to connect with audiences from different parts of the world and introduce new audiences to my music.
What can we expect next from you? I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you!
Son Savage: You can expect me to never be satisfied. I am constantly striving to outwrite, outproduce and outperform myself with every new piece of work. I am currently working on 2 new musical projects, one of which should see the light before the end of the year. I am also adding 3 new levels to "SUPERGLUE" the mobile game available on App Store & Google Play which I released back in April, and I'm working on a cool non-musical project also under the Son Savage brand. Thank you for this very fun interview, it was a pleasure being featured on your blog, and I look forward to doing this many more times in the future.
Interviewed By Sarah Curry
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