INTERVIEW: THEO DAY: A GUITAR AND MEMORABLE TIMES
You released your debut EP last Wednesday. I was wondering if you had to pick one song to show someone who has never heard of your music before, which one would it be and why?
I would probably go with "Little White Lies" just because it's very deep lyrically. A lot of my songs were well-thought out and written like a story. I think that song is a good example of that. I like to create a story within a song instead of just coming up with things that rhyme.
Speaking of your EP, in a world where most new music is being released on Fridays, why did you release it on a Wednesday?
Everybody releases their new music on Friday. Usually, the bigger artists will be on the front page on the first day. By going against the grain, and releasing new music on a Wednesday, there is a higher chance of standing out. That's at least how it works in my head. I might just be completely making this up. In my head, if the market is flooded on Friday, do it on Wednesday.
You mentioned "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd was the first album you fell in love with stating it's your dad's favourite. Is there an artist, album or song you showed your dad which he ended up loving? Shoutout to @themusicenthusiastblog for inspiring me to ask that question.
My dad really loves the band Sticky Fingers from the West Coast. They're two guys. They sing this song "Cyclone". My dad really liked them when I showed them to him. It's a pretty new song. He doesn't listen to that much new stuff.
Do you try to show him new music often?
Yes, I do show him a lot of music whenever we hang out. He also still shows me stuff even to this day. "Cool, I have never heard this song." "You don't know this!?!?"We trade it all back and forth. He used to have a massive library of music when he was a kid. He had like thousands of records. His knowledge of music is very much wider than mine.
Do you also own physical copies of any albums?
Now, it's too easy for me to look it up on the internet. It's kind of a weird thing. I listen to music but not that often. Most of the time, I'm making or playing music. I'm always trying to create or perfect a song I already have. I'm so focused on my music, I sometimes forget about the outside world. I still enjoy it obviously. I love Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Billie Eilish.
In the description on your YouTube channel, it says: "Theo Day is a 23-year-old Canadian folk-pop artist crafting the soundtrack to golden-hour moments, the songs you blast with the windows down, sing with your best friends around a fire..." What is the one song you like singing or would like to sing around a fire with friends?
I really like playing pretty much anything by Tyler Childers. There is also "Minor Inconveniences" by Bebe Stockwell. I love playing that song.
In the same description, it says: "Theo Day isn’t just an artist you listen to - he’s the one who turns everyday moments into core memories." Can you think of an everyday moment that turned into a core memory because of a specific song, album, or artist?
I like to expand a lot on how I feel about things. I went to Northern BC to do tree planting. I lived in a tent for literally five months. It was way up North. I wrote a lot of songs while I was out there. On the song "Somewhere Shallow", in the beginning, it goes: "I love the sound of my friends all singing out of tune." It talks about us around the camp fire. All of my forest buddies, friends are out there with me singing out of tune while I'm playing guitar. It was super wholesome. Sometimes, I would stop singing and hear the rest of the camp singing super off key. It was super cool! There were probably a hundred campers. It was a lot of fun! We would do it a lot. They also did a variety show night. They got a big truck, opened the back doors, they made it a stage, got amplifiers, and got a bunch of chairs for everybody. We just played all night. Whoever wanted to go up just had to give me their phone and I would look up the guitar chords needed and play them. I also did my own set. It was probably my favourite show ever. Somewhere in the back country in the middle of nowhere in Northern BC with a hundred people in the back of a truck. That night made me think: "Man, I can do music anywhere."
It's true! You don't need an actual venue.
If you have a guitar and people who want to have a good time no matter where you are, you're going to find enjoyment!
Is there a venue in Montreal where you would like to play at some point?
The big one I would love to do is Beanfield! It's super nice! The whole place is super cool!
You mentioned moving around a lot growing up. Right now, as an adult, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I really love Canada to be honest. Here is nice. Australia could be cool! I like warm temperature. Somewhere in California would be cool. The West Coast. BC.
Have you been to Australia before?
Literally never have but I like surfing. Every Australian I have ever met was so nice and so cool. It seems like I would get along with them so well.
What about California? Have you ever been there?
I have never been. It's funny because I'm naming places I have never been to. I have friends from over there. I'm a big surf fan. That's why those places would be great. I heard the waves in California and Australia are better than the ones in Vancouver. I would love spending my life testing that out.
I know you have lyrics videos on your YouTube channel. Can we expect more visual content? More lyric videos? A music video?
Visual content probably. I'm not sure about a music video. I'm more focused on expanding on making music. Making a music video takes a lot of time and effort. It takes away from the music, especially at the development stage I'm in and walking in the game so early. I think a music video is more down the line. I like visual canvas though; where you have small segments playing.
If you had to shoot a music video for one of your currently released songs, which one would you pick?
That's a really hard question! I never tought of that! I would probably do "Somewhere Shallow". I would make it a road trip.
If any artist could cover one of your songs, which song would it be and who would cover it?
This is going to be weird! James Bay covering "Caravan Song". I love James Bay. I have loved him since I was a kid. He's one of my favourite artists of all time. There is something in his pitch vibrato is that so cool. He's probably the only artist I listened to consecutively for the past 13 to 15 years.
Have you got the chance to see him live yet?
Sadly, no.
Do you go to a lot of shows?
I do! I went to all of the days of Lasso and Osheaga. I have been to a lot of @zackzoya's shows. He's really damn good! I have been to a Bella show before.
Much love,
Your favourite and passionate, but ready to take a little break, interviewer,
Ariane
LINKS TO FURTHER DISCOVER AND SUPPORT THEO
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