Hailing from the sunny shores of Los Angeles, California, Bäckar is the brainchild of Joseph Brooks. A one-man musical project, Bäckar is influenced by Prince, Depeche Mode and even The Beach Boys. We had a chance to speak with him about his debut single ‘Anything For You’ and much more!
Why did you decide to enter the music industry?
I entered the music industry in 2012. I’ve been a songwriter, audio engineer and producer for other artists. I’ve been working on my project during this time and feel that now is the right climate in the music industry for me to start releasing music.
Can you tell us about ‘Anything For You’?
‘Anything For You’ is the first single that I have released and I’m pretty proud of it. It’s a unique blend of styles, but it works! Some songs try to genre bend and it just doesn’t work. You have to make it work right or just don’t do it at all. The recipe for ‘Anything For You’ is a heartfelt, lush and dreamy song that shows the inner conflict of having feelings for someone and hating how much you feel for them. If a love/hate relationship were a song, it would be ‘Anything For You’
What was the recording and writing process like?
The recording process was done in my small home studio with no involvement from anyone else. The song is very intimate and personal and every instrument, production and mixing decision was made solely by me.
Does the single have any significant meaning for you?
I feel that the single marks a starting point and it’s a good strong start. It can only get better from here! I won’t say that all my other songs sound like ‘Anything For You’. I find the most important thing is that the songwriting and vocal performance are good. One day I write an indie-pop song; the next I write a dance song or a funk song. I’m just trying to embrace my eclectic style, but find a process that makes everything click just right.
What do you hope people take from your music?
I hope people find something refreshing about the music and that it makes them feel. I’ve always been drawn to songs that really make me feel something when I least expect it.
What is more challenging for you – melody or lyrics?
I would say lyrics can be more challenging at times just because there’s so much that you can say, but finding the right words to get to the point is what makes a good lyric. I often come up with the melody first. I won’t even bother trying to write lyrics if I don’t already have a great melody in mind.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I stay motivated by many things. I really am just a music person and feel my best when I’m truly being immersed in my art. I don’t watch a lot of TV. I don’t play video games or if I do it’s for short periods of time. I’m a nostalgia addict for better or worse, and I don’t watch sports.
Sometimes it’s more of what you don’t do than what you do that keeps you motivated. There’s so many things out there right now that can distract you and make you lose focus.
How would you describe your sound?
Pop with influences of the 80s, indie pop and electronic music. To be honest, that’s the one thing I try not to do. I don’t want to put my inside in a box. I want to create music that the listener listens to and knows that I’m not going to do the exact same thing on the next record – that’s boring. I want to be an artist that grows and has fans that understand that and look forward to it.
What do you think is the best way to discover music?
The best way to discover new music for me is on Instagram, Spotify and SoundCloud. Going to shows is always a great way as well when you can. Sometimes you see someone live and it totally changes your perspective on that artist.
What does the future hold for Bäckar?
In the future, I’ll release some more singles as well as the full album. I can’t wait to share it with you.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Don’t let other people kill your vibe.
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