For emerging pop act Myylo, 2018 was equipped with a songwriting trip to Colorado, the Starbucks’ National Holiday Campaign, and a collection of new releases and he’s wasting no time in this new year. The singer-songwriter is starting 2019 off right with the release of his most recent single, “Cyborg” on February 15th.
Myylo’s passion for music is apparent and his drive is solid. His songs encapsulate classic teenage emotions and turmoil around love and a sense of belonging. Myylo truly believes in the lyrics he writes and music he produces, a feeling that rubs off on the listener instantly.
In light of his upcoming single, I sat down with Myylo to talk about his journey with music, his inspirations and advice for upcoming young artists.
© Myylo Lewis
Could you talk a little about the inspiration behind your single, “Cyborg”?
I was fiddling around with a Carole King song in my bedroom in the early AM. Something about the textures of the chords, the nostalgia of it, really inspired me. I wrote the chorus right there on my mattress just thinking about jetpacks. And, I let my sub-conscious guide the content of the verses. It turned into this hodgepodge of a story about my first boyfriend. It’s about wanting that person back and being willing to search for god, wherever she may be, to ask why I ever let him go.
Could you talk a little about the inspiration behind your single: How is “Cyborg” different from your previous tracks?
I think “Cyborg” continues my journey of making “bopable” tunes. I really identify with a joyful aesthetic and, in some ways, I’m kind of reacting to the barrage of sad boy and sad girl tunes out there. I’m pushing back against that to deal with things positively.
Overall, how would you describe your genre of music to someone who has never heard it before?
I would say its super “bopable”, tongue-in-cheek pop music about queer dudes. Its like, sure I’m singing about how my love life is really a dumpster fire, but in a “let’s dance through the tears” sort of manner.
When did you start creating music? Has your childhood or upbringing influenced your style or music affinity?
I started creating music when I was 15. My parents had me and my brothers in music lessons from the time we were in Kindergarten: piano, alto sax, voice lessons, etc. However, I started creating my own stuff when I was a gay 15-year-old kid reading books in my room on a Saturday night. I wrote my first song cause my brother and his friends were making out with their girlfriends in the other room. I felt really isolated because I didn’t know anyone else like me. I wrote a sad piano ballad called “Porcelain Doll” and I got the songwriting bug after that.
How, if at all, has your musical style changed since when you first began?
My musical style has changed 100 times over. I started mimicking songwriters like Jason Mark, Sara Bareilles, and Ingrid Michaelson, especially her ukulele stuff and metaphors. Then, I really turned hard toward soulful singers like Beyonce and Jazmine Sullivan. For my last EP, I was on a bit of a country binge with Kacey Musgraves and songwriters like Natalie Hemby and Shane McAnally. You can really hear that and, I think, listening to that type of lyricism freed me to say whatever I wanted in whatever manner I pleased. Now, I’m inspired by pop and hip hop. Kim Petras, Lizzo, Jessie Reyez, Chance the Rapper, and Everything is Love by The Carters all feel super centric to me right now.
I think what’s cool about being alive and making music in 2019 is that you have access to many records. Everyone right now is synthesizing so many styles and the possibilities seem limitless.
© Myylo Lewis
Who is your biggest inspiration, in music or in life?
Beyoncé. 100% the baddest there ever was. I feel like Yoncé gives me and everyone permission to be unapologetic with their storytelling through music and visuals. Plus, she’s excellent across the board and it’s incredible to see someone be so relentless with their work ethic and artistic vision. I want to be that legendary one day.
Has there ever been a time when you doubted pursuing a career in music? If so, what inspired you to keep going?
Yeah, totally, all the time. You know I doubt pursuing music regularly, like at least once or twice a week. What keeps me inspired is my community of artists and songwriters. We’re all living out this impossible dream and, when we get together, we just have a lot of fun. The dream that my friends and I will graduate through the music industry together keeps me going.
Honestly, anyone who reaches out and says “I fuck with your music” makes me keep my chin up too. This whole human experiment is about connecting with other people and it’s wild when someone lets you know that you’re at least succeeding in that aspect of life.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t a musician I’d be working to move the world in a greener direction through mass tree planting, urban farming, or composting. It’s kind of nerdy, but I feel like our generation is in a true existential crisis over the fate of the world and I want to shift that in some way.
What moment in your career so far has left you the most satisfied or proud?
Someone reached out to me to write a letter for their friend, who is a fan of mine, for his birthday. This person happens to really dig my music, like, totally busts it out on his college radio station on the regular. His friend told me a lot about him and I got to write him a really cute letter. He told me it meant a lot to him. It was one of those rare moments where you see how your music is connecting. And, that made me feel like, yo, something must be working.
What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to do or obstacle you’ve had to overcome in the music industry?
I don’t think I’ve had to deal with anything particularly difficult. I’ve been fortunate enough to have strong mentors and a lot of support from my friends. Truly, the biggest thing I contend with is keeping myself focused despite all the natural self-doubt that comes with the territory of pursuing an artist’s path.
If you could give young aspiring artists one piece of advice, what would it be?
Be relentless. Be your own manager and your own writer and your own producer and your own tour planner and your own PR person. People want to be on your team if you have your shit together. And, guess what, you can seriously do everything yourself before anyone hops on board.
Any last thoughts?
I hope that 2019 is the year of feel-good music and kindness.
© Myylo Lewis
If you’d like to know more about Myylo and listen to music be sure to connect and follow him on his social media and music platforms:
Featured Image courtesy of Myylo
