Singer Austin Tolliver released his new song called “Yodelay You Down”.
His music varies in genre from hip hop/rap to country rap. Austin is passionate about music and the experiences that have shaped his career. The Knockturnal spoke with Austin Tolliver about his new song and future projects.
The Knockturnal: At what age did you start singing? Can take us back to the moment you first knew you could sing? Do you remember the first song you learned?
Austin Tolliver: The first time I sang on a stage was my fifth-grade talent show at University Elementary School. I sang “I Believe I Can Fly” from the “Space Jam” soundtrack. That movie was lit at the time and I said, “yup, I’ll sing this one.” I got up there, sang it, jammed out, and didn’t win anything! Hahahaahahah.
The Knockturnal: How do you write your songs? What experiences have helped shape your music career?
Austin Tolliver: I write my songs either by myself or with my best friends, Aaron Lamont and Leland Grant. When Aaron, Leland, and I are working on a song, magic just happens every time. My process is really, really simple. I start with an idea and treat it like a movie. I write the characters, the scene, the mood, the setting, and then jam out from there.
People and experiences have shaped my music career. The good, the bad, the hot, the angry – it doesn’t matter, you’ll get the entire picture from me, I don’t hide anything from my fans.
The Knockturnal: In your new song, Yodelay You Down, it seems like a love song. Did you have an inspiration?
Austin Tolliver: My wife Ashley is 100% the inspiration for “Yodelay You Down.” That song isn’t just about love, it’s about baby-making. It’s about that feeling everyone gets sometimes when their significant other is wearing that particular outfit, talking that particular talk, doing whatever it is that makes you wanna “yodelay It down,” lol!
I must say New Orleans feels like home especially with the rich culture, food, festivals, and memorable people. Why was the music scene in New Orleans so impactful to your life?
It’s not just the music scene in New Orleans that has been so impactful on my life, it’s the city itself. When you are in Nola, you are surrounded by a melting pot of cultures and if you allow it to, New Orleans will shape your soul. The people are the soul of that city and it’s the people that make the experience memorable.
The Knockturnal: In the future, who is someone that you would love to collaborate with and create music?
Austin Tolliver: I would absolutely love to do a song with Kelly Clarkson and Nelly.
One, Kelly can sing any song, any style, at any time and just slay it. Two, she killed it on an awards show with a mash-up song and then after, had an emergency appendectomy. She’s tough as nails, and I dig it.
Nelly has been playing and shaping my life since I was a youngster. From “Country Grammar,” “Must Be The Money,” “E.I.,” “Air Force Ones,” “Over And Over Again,” to doing jams with Thomas Rhett and FGL, he’s the s**t and we’d kill it.
The Knockturnal: What is your method when trying to appeal to younger generations?
Austin Tolliver: The younger generation likes real, so that’s what I give them. They are the generation that has had access to the world in their pocket for their entire lives, so you gotta earn their attention. They don’t have time for bulls**t, so I stay me and give them real.
