Pop-soul singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell released his debut EP ALL I KNOW last week via 300 Entertainment, and kicks off a U.S. tour this week with Jess Glynne.
Sewell launched onto the music scene taking the world by storm in 2015 with his massive hit “Firestone” which he recorded with DJ and producer Kygo. That track, which has amassed over 350 million streams on Spotify, led to a record-breaking year for the music streaming service. Sewell delivers a stunning acoustic version of the worldwide hit song on his new EP. On ALL I KNOW Sewell collaborated with an all-star team of writers and producers including Jamie Hartman (Christina Aguilera, Joss Stone), Jay Kash (Maroon 5, One Directions), Brian Lee (Lady Gaga, Icona Pop) and Louis Bell. ALL I KNOW is available now at all digital retailers and first single “Remind Me” will hit airwaves this month.
We caught up with Conrad to discuss his career and new EP. Read our exclusive interview below:
Q: How are you feeling having just released your debut EP?
CS: Good, I mean I’m happy it’s finally out to be honest. I’ve been touring around the world, getting everything set up, so it’s just nice to finally have some music out. I think it’s cool. I had a little party in LA last week to celebrate and now I’m back on the road. It’s exciting. It’s great that now when I play the shows people have some music that they can fall in love with.
Q: A lot of your songs have a gospel and soul sounds to them. Was gospel music something you always listened to or a more recent influence?
CS: I mean I kind of always listened to it. I mean I grew up in a church. I suppose I’m more drawn to the more soulful side of stuff. I like all types of music, I like everything so it was hard to sort of narrow it down, but that seemed to be where my voice fit the best I think. It sort of took shape as we were creating it.
Q: How was recording this EP different than recording demos or songs with Sons of Midnight?
CS: It was more of a process. I was more focused on what I wanted to say and the kind of direction I wanted it to go in. Before writing songs for other people and with my own band I didn’t really have a vision for it you know what I mean? I was just writing songs because I was there writing songs. But for this it was my first big release internationally with my name on the CD cover so I wanted it to feel right.
Q: What inspires your lyrics?
CS: Yeah, everything that I write comes from personal experience. I mean sometimes I write a song that is about someone else whether that be my brother or a friend or something else. But the majority of that had that.
Q: Can you speak about working with Kygo and the creative process of the song “Firestone”?
CS: That one I wrote the song pretty much by myself it was sort of written when I gave it to Kygo and then he sort of came in a produced around it and made the beat. It’s been cool it led us to incredible things. We’re playing Coachella, we’re about to play Barclay’s you know what I mean? It’s been a great experience getting to know him. I’m sure were going to work more together but the first thing we did was more like he came in to the studio and HE added all the production elements, but the basis of the song was sort of there. It’s been a great blessing. It’s opened a lot of doors and sort of set everything up nicely.
Q: Your sister is a musician was there a lot of music in the house when you were younger?
CS: Yeah, my grandparents they were in music as well but my parent aren’t. I guess it skipped a generation.
Q: What did you learn from your grandparents?
A: In our house it was like everybody was sort of getting up to sing or do a play. It was a very creative household. My grandparents let that. My nan would make my brother get up and sing the national anthem at the casino or something like that. We were never taught to be shy. It was always like grab the microphone and sing it. Just go for it. So it was definitely around in the family.
Q: You just one the ARIA award for Song of the Year for “Start Again.” What was it like receiving such a high honor in your country?
CS: It was amazing. I grew up watching those awards. It’s as prestigious as you can get in Australia. You know you dream about saying your speech. I remember me and my sister used to sit around the dinner table and do fake Grammy speeches, so it was a dream come true. I mean I got to get up and say a real speech and thank all the people that have sort of made this happen for me. I was a little bit emotional when it first happened. It was cool Ed Sheeran gave it to me and Ed’s been a big supporter and put me on my first tour. So, it’s kind of crazy that he was there to give me the award it was nice.
Q: You’re also on 300 Entertainment, which is Lyor Cohen’s label. What has it been like working with him and him overseeing your project?
CS: It’s been amazing to be honest. Lyor’s become like a father. He’s so passionate about my project and he does anything that he can to make it work. It’s nice to know when you’re with a label that doesn’t feel like they’re ever going to give up on you. If your first single doesn’t work, or your second single doesn’t work, it feels like they’re in it for the long haul. With his history in the industry I get great lessons from him on just how to become a great artist and an artist that people want to work for and people want to see succeed. He’s a great mentor.
Q: Fetty Wap is also on your label. Do you have plans to work with him?
CS: Yeah, we’re trying to find the right song to do something. That’s the thing with collaboration I think it has to be the right song and it has to be the right time. I’d love to do something with Fetty. We’re going to try and make something happen it’s just about getting the right song that’ll work with his style and work with my voice.
Q: So you have this big tour coming up, what can fans expect from it?
CS: Well I’m bringing them to church. I’ve got a massive incredible band and I’ve got two girls singing backup and it has a very gospel feel to it, but there’s also this great vibe. I want people to walk away feeling like they really had an experience. That they saw an amazing band play live and they heard notes that they didn’t know were humanly possible and most of all have a great time and really feel something from the music in their hearts.
Q: Are there a few songs you want to highlight or tell us about on the EP?
CS: My favorite one’s on the EP were “Shadow” and “Remind Me” because it’s the two polar opposites of what I do. “Remind Me” has got that gospel thing in it and I think it’s the best written song on the album. It’s about my ex-girlfriend and about departing from a relationship. Not necessarily a girlfriend, but maybe you’re losing someone in your life but I think it’s a great song for anyone in the world to relate with. You know to never forget those special things that make each person unique. So I love that one. I love “Shadow” because I think it’s the best pop tune on the record. It gives that little bit of Michael Jackson flavor that I have in me. I loved Michael growing up so I love it when I hear a little bit of that come through in my music because he was the best. So those are probably my two favorites.
Conrad Sewell, Avicii and Coca-Cola unveiled the iconic brand’s new anthem “Taste The Feeling” Tuesday in Paris, where Sewell was on hand to perform the new song live for media and VIP attendees. The song, recorded in December in Avicii’s studio in Sweden, is available worldwide as a free download now at Coca-Cola’s Music site HERE. Listen to a stream of “Taste The Feeling” now:
