theaussieword.com goes one on one for a special interview with Canadian singer/songwriter Fintan.
Give us an introduction. How did it all begin? What had you first interested in music?
My dad is a professional musician, so I find it hard to remember a first musical memory — it was just always present in my life growing up. I actually never knew that playing music was anything special until I got a little older and realized not everybody’s parents were putting on shows and performing. I used to assume that it was what everybody’s family did.
I have two siblings who are both also musicians and we all started busking together and naturally formed a family band that I performed with for years. Even now, when we’re all together we’ll try and play a show somewhere.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
That’s a great question because it’s gotta be a mix of a lot of things. I think seeing from a really young age the impact music can have on people was huge in sparking my drive to create it. Another more selfish reason is that it’s where I get all my confidence and sense of self from, so the more I push myself to make better music, the better I feel about myself. There also has to be an element of the fact that making music is the only thing that I can do, so if I don’t keep working hard there’s nothing to fall back on!
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
I want to sell out shows all around the world and reach as many people with my songs as I possibly can. I would love to write music that people adopt into their own lives, and mark their own memories with it. Also everybody wants to have a number one record, right?
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
I’m heading out to Toronto, Ontario, to perform as many shows as I can out there, including a residency at the legendary Cameron House, which I am so excited for. I’m releasing a lot more music in the next couple months as well, which I literally can’t wait for. Touring is totally the ultimate dream (and it would especially be nice to come to Australia soon…)
Tell us a bit about your latest album and how would you best describe your music?
Well it’s my biggest step into pop music so far, and I’ve loved experimenting with really atmospheric synths and hip-hop influenced drum tracks, but I think it still remains heavily rooted in my singer-songwriter sensibilities. The songs themselves are very honest and each track is about a relationship I was in over the last couple years, so it’s very personal to me, and yet I hope it’s relatable to those who listen.
Success, what is the secret to it?
I wish I knew!! My best guess is that success is all about staying true to yourself and surrounding yourself with people that make you happy. I think it’s pretty simple in theory, but for some reason harder to execute.
What has been your biggest career highlight?
I feel so lucky to be able to think of loads of things to say to this question, because I’ve had some amazing experiences. That’s also my way of saying that’s a really hard question to answer.
I’m gonna say the residency I did at The Mint in Victoria BC, playing my songs to a full room every week with my best friends on stage all summer long. That was a pretty big purple patch so far for me.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I think it’s a really common answer but John Mayer is a constant inspiration not only musically, but in the way he’s been able to navigate his career through all sorts of genres and vibes, but still being able to appeal to an enormous audience. That’s the dream, really.
Any new projects in the pipeline?
Yeah, totally! Been recording with my good friend, Hugh Mackie, and the two of us are in the studio together as much as our schedules allow. The first EP is ready to be released, and the second one is getting close as well now. I’ve also got some plans to do some co-writing for other artists which is something I’m interested in doing!
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
It certainly is. I see myself continuing on this same path that really hasn’t changed much since I was 9 years old and I first realized this is all I ever want to do. Hopefully further down that path means I’ll be touring and playing for as many people as will listen.
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
Easy!! Loving Ruel at the moment, and Amy Shark is brilliant as well. I’ve always loved Angus and Julia Stone, and my favourite Aussie artist is my friend Jason Lowe, who is a gorgeous singer-songwriter I met while he was out here in BC.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
There is a lot of negative talk about the current state of the industry and how artists are treated and paid, and I know those are really relevant and important issues. However, for the sake of music itself, I think it’s the most exciting time in history to be an artist or a fan. The freedom that modern production has granted to anybody with a laptop has meant some of the most groundbreaking stuff coming out of basements and finding an audience on soundcloud. To me that’s the coolest thing ever. It’s been a period of huge change so the industry is still trying to find it’s footing, but the good thing is there’s never been so much great music being made and so easily shared with the world.
Thanks for the interview! What final message do you have for us today?
Thank you so much!! I guess I just wanna say see you in Australia as soon as I can! Thanks for listening.
http://www.facebook.com/fintanmusic
http://www.twitter.com/fintanobrien
http://www.instagram.com/fintanmusic