tell me your feelings and i won’t tell you mine is out now!
Image: Brandon Artis Photography
Canadian rapper and viral hitmaker Powfu recently unveiled his new EP, tell me your feelings and i won’t tell you mine. We caught up with the musician to chat about the release, the success of death bed (coffee for your head), working with his collaborators and so much more!
Tell us a bit about how you began your musical journey, and your background in music…
I started playing the drums when I was 2 and grew up with my father being the lead singer in a pop punk band (faber drive). I found out about soundcloud in grade 12 and started writing for myself.
The past year or so really has been life changing for you. A viral hit with death bed (coffee for your head), marriage, moving out of your childhood home. How did all of these events influence this collection of songs and how you approached creating tell me your feelings and i won’t tell you mine compared to your previous EP’s?
I had new things happening all around me that I could now write about. It was nice to have the change of scenery inspiring different feelings as well as my production getting better with time. I didn’t have a direction I wanted to stay in for this EP. I just wanted to make the best songs I could with whatever I was feeling on those days.
Could you talk us through your creative process when writing and recording this collection of songs?
I wrote all of them in my bedroom by myself except for soda stream sky i had KNOWN visit and work on the that one together. I found the beats either on Soundcloud or youtube then I would freestyle melodies and lyrics and then sit down and finish it.
How did the EP evolve and change as you were creating it, and were there any tracks left on the cutting room floor that you think might have a life in the future?
I mean I would often go back to tracks later and add more instruments or change the vocal effects and yes there was quite a few tracks that didn’t make it on this EP that will definitely be released in the future.
You’ve teamed up with some amazing collaborators on the release, Jaden, Sarcastic Sounds, Known, Mila Moon and Jomie. What drew you to working with these artists and how do you think each collaborator helped shape the release as a whole?
Most of them were just my friends that i’ve met through making music together in the past. There’s very few artists that I enjoy writing alongside and these are some of my favourites. When i found out Jaden wanted to hop on snowflake I was super hyped. i’ve been a fan of his music for a long time now and he killed it with his verse.
Throughout your career, you’ve opted to create EP’s instead of working on an album. Why do you find that format is the optimal realm for your music to exist within?
I feel like with albums a lot of songs can get missed out on or not listened to because there is so many other songs being released at the same time so I like to stick with a less amount and be precise on exactly what songs I want to put out together, with each one being different from the others.
Which song off the EP would you pick to play to someone who had never heard your music, to make them an instant fan?
I feel like snowflake is the one that most people like because of the soft calming melodies in it. It also has a very smooth sounding beat and a great feature from Jaden.
What’s one line from the EP you find at times could be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
“Only see the world and its beauty when i’m with you” from a castle by the sea. I wrote this song for my wife and played it at our wedding as a surprise. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.
You’ve used a variety of styles and techniques within death bed (coffee for your head), things that remind us of 90’s influences but obviously with a more contemporary spin, how did the genesis of this track begin and change from start to finish?
I wrote death bed in a few hours from what I remember and I was just aiming to tell a story that no ones ever written about. In terms of sound, I was just rapping slowly over the beat because I thought it sounded nice. I had no idea it would be this big.
There’s been hundreds of thousands of videos on Tik Tok using the track, which video has impressed you most, and/or made you the most starstruck?
There’s a video of Charli and Dixie D'Amelio and Addison Rae dancing to it which is pretty crazy considering they the biggest tiktokkers I know of.
Will fans be able to catch you on tour soon? And what does a powfu live show look like?
I haven’t played a live show in forever but i’m so hyped to play again. I’m hoping i’ll be on tour at some point next year. I have no idea what it will look like but i’m picturing sold out venues everywhere i go.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Romantic movies, the Bible, anime, my family, my father.
Dream collaboration?
Kanye West, Dominic Fike.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
Enema of the State - Blink-182.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Romantic, punk, hiphop.
Best song of 2021 so far?
Bus Ride - Rxseboy
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
Probably The End of the F***ing World.
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Miley Cyrus.
A song you would love to cover on tour?
Pride of a Father - Hillsong Young & Free.
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
? - xxxtentacion.
First concert you went to?
Faber Drive.
Best concert you have been to?
Owl City & Lights.
First album you ever bought?
Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard.
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy?
Backstreet Boy.
Most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
In Houston, Texas.
Guilty music pleasure?
I don’t listen to music.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Rxseboy
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Lil Peep.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Grade 12 when I posted my first song on Soundcloud.
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