Musician Duckwrth recently released his newest project called SG8*
On August 24th, Duckwrth hosted various screenings at the Braindead Studios in Los Angeles for the video of his single 4K. The single served as a preview for his released project SG8*. The project features productions from WaveIQ and Loshhendrix. The name SG8* derives from his brand SuperGood, which is also the name of his 2020 album. The Covid-19 pandemic played a substantial role in the creation of the video 4K. When people were forced to stay away from one another, he wanted to represent the urge of wanting to go somewhere to “breathe and relax” with someone you love. The album in its entirety highlights the feeling of transitioning into the post-pandemic aspects of our lives.
Duckwrth’s career continues to flourish, with the release of SG8*, featuring in the film and soundtrack of the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy, and sold out on his US tour dates in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Oakland, and Chicago. He recently revealed his surprise direct support slots on select dates for Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever tour.
Our correspondent Rebecca Eugene spoke with Duckwrth on his continuing success and the release of his album SG8*.
The Knockturnal: This music video was different. What made you want to showcase the behind the scenes of creating a music video? For example cutting to the director throughout the video.
Duckwrth: The main idea of the song is these two people going on vacation and documenting it. So the initial idea was to show two people capturing their vacation in cinematic film style as the first dimension and then we thought it would be cool to also show BTS of the team shooting the film and it made sense. Barney Bones is a funny guy and that sarcasm seem to come natural to him so we thought that would be really cool to include his comedy and give it a reality show type vibe. By the way, that was complete improv. He is fire.
The Knockturnal: What was the inspiration behind the video?
Duckwrth: The video was inspired by the song and my own desire to do something outside of LA. We planned to shoot something for the song, either way, but when my manager and I were talking about what we could do that would be easy and cost effective but aesthetically dope, we started looking at Pink Sands around the world and then stumbled on the Bahamas and then it turned into something expensive and complicated. By then the idea was out of here and we loved it too much to turn back. But it was well worth it.
The Knockturnal: How would you describe your style of music?
Duckwrth: My style of music is progressive. I never wanted to be boxed into an idea or aesthetic even though I know that sometimes that is the easiest way for people to identify you in this industry but I am naturally always seeking ways to innovate and grow as an artist and I always have new ideas and new energy. So I am a constant evolution and work in progress. So I’m definitely progressive “insert genre here”.
The Knockturnal: Where did your music name Duckwrth originate from?
Duckwrth: My mother’s maiden name is Duckworth and a few friends in Art school started to call me by my mom’s maiden name and it just stuck.
The Knockturnal: What can fans expect to hear from your upcoming project SG8*? What are you most excited about for fans to hear?
Duckwrth: I am most excited for fans to hear the growth in the music and songwriting and of course, to hear it and have fun with it. I was battling with writer’s block for a second and how to make music that connects while also being introspective and I got stuck. I connected with this really dope producer named WaveIQ through sessions I did at the Insecure writing camp and from the first song it was just right. I brought a few friends along for the ride and it was on from there.
The Knockturnal: Your album SG8* is named after your brand Supergood which also happens to be the name of your 2020 album. How will this album differ from that one?
Duckwrth: I had been holding onto the idea of SuperGood for years. Actually, since 2013. In my head, it was meant to explore areas of Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop and Soul but the time never felt quite right for it. The songs I was making never felt like it fit completely as a cohesive thought. I also felt I had growing to do as a musician to fully realize it. But pre-pandemic, I felt ready to give it a shot. So we locked in to a studio for nearly a month and it turned out to be everything I thought SuperGood should be.
The Knockturnal: Did the pandemic impact the concept of the 4k video and album?
Duckwrth: Yes, for sure. Everyone was and still is trying to get away. We are closer to people just trying to stay relevant and visible at work, on zoom, online, with friends and with family and just trying to keep that up can burn you out. Which is ironic, given that we are advised to stay apart. So I think we are looking for vacations all the time and places we can go to breathe and relax. So the inspiration behind 4K was getting away to a place to be truly closer to someone you love.
The Knockturnal: How do you keep yourself motivated to create music?
Duckwrth: Art. Art is my life. It’s in everything I do from garments to graphic design. Everytime I am able to find a moment to create outside of music it fuels my desire to create music. I am working on designing a pair of boots right now. Maybe that will inspire the next batch of songs.
The Knockturnal: How did it feel to land the opportunity to be featured in the movie and the soundtrack for Space Jam: A New Legacy which included an all-star cast?
Duckwrth: It was great. I wasn’t really sure whether the song would make the movie. My manager sent me the Ricky Reed track and set up some session time. I went in and invited Tayla Parx to the session since we had been trying to do more work together for a minute and we came up with the chorus. They loved it. I didn’t know Cordae would end up on it but that was a dope surprise.
The Knockturnal: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any artist in the industry, who would you choose?
Duckwrth: There are so many people I would love to collab with but top of the list would be Neptunes, Rosalia, I think me and Tyler would make something crazy. Tame Impala and Gorillaz. Oh and Justice, fosho.
