An Interview Conner Cherland
Rising singer-songwriter Conner Cherland is a force to be reckoned with. Originally set out to be a volleyball player, Cherland had found his true calling for music. He provides that Americana, Indie/folk genre of music we all love like Ed Sheeran, snd Hozier. He has appeared on So Far Sounds sessions in Portland, and Santa Barbara, his hometown. With three releases already under his belt, he is gearing up to release his new record The Choices of John Still, set to be released September 7th, shortly following a tour lasting until December. As hard as Cherland works, it is only a matter of time before he serenades thousands with his music. Stage Left had the opportunity to talk to Santa Barbara native about his new music, touring, and his writing process.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! How’s life?
"It’s going pretty well! I’ve been spending a lot of time trying to promote this album as much as possible, so that’s been the majority of my days. I’m glad to see how much more attention this album has compared to the last album."
How’s Santa Barbara? I briefly visited Isla Vista, CA a few years ago, which is in the area I believe. Beautiful place and I scarfed down so many slices of Pizza My Heart it was ridiculous. Too good for words haha. Is that where you’re originally from?
"Isla Vista is a magic town...I highly recommend visiting there (and I visit there pretty often). I’m originally lived in Lancaster, CA and moved to Isla Vista for school back in 2018. I’ve been living in Santa Barbara ever since graduating."
I read that you originally started out playing volleyball for a while, but would secretly play and make some tunes, making your life is very similar to that of Troy Bolton from High School Musical haha. You slowly started to get more comfortable in front of people to sing. At what point in time did it hit you when you wanted to pursue music instead of volleyball?
"Dude...my life is pretty much Troy Bolton, minus all of his inability to treat Gabriella right.I played volleyball pretty much every day between age 10 and 18, and always liked to sing but didn’t take it seriously until I was about 21.Volleyball stopped around age 18 because when you’re 5’9”, no one wants you on the college team."
I also read that you essentially like to dissect songs by listening to the words, and the notes. Is there one song in particular or a recent song that you really connected with? What was the song and what about the song made you connect with it so deeply?
"I recently listened to Mt. Eerie’s “Real Death” from his album “A Crow Looked At Me” and it’s pretty brutal. I don’t think I would recommend it...not because it’s not good...but because I’ve been sad for like 48 hours after listening to it. On a more positive note, I’d say the Hamilton soundtrack has been one of the most inspirational music pieces I’ve heard in a long while. Particular songs that stand out - Take A Break & Your Obedient Servant."
What is on Conner Cherland’s playlist now? Who are you currently into?
"Hamilton Soundtrack, and a lot of Gary Vaynerchuck (not a musician, but I really like listening to his business advice)"
Congrats on your recently released single “Emmylynn” with The Rare Occasions. What was the inspiration behind the song?
"That song is the 5th track in the album, “The Choices of John Still”. The main character, John and his daughter, Emily Lynn Still (EmmyLynn) deal with choices of love differently. The song EmmyLynn is a man’s response to Emily.. You can listen to Emily’s letter in track 3 which releases tomorrow (8/31). That song is called “Letters From Emily”"
I also love the artwork for the song by the way. Who created it and is there a deeper meaning to the artwork? I took it as the building representing a relationship that has fallen. Sorry if that is not what it is or if theres a meaning behind it at all haha I tend to over analyze things sometimes.
"Phil Kiner made the artwork! He’s amazing. It’s supposed to represent a literal building that’s falling, but there are also relationships falling apart, so you’re pretty spot on."
You also released “The Choices of John Still” also with the Rare Occasions. What is the meaning behind this one and how did the collaboration with you and The Rare Occasions come about?
"I met the lead singer of The Rare Occasions at one of my gigs. He was sitting in the back with his girlfriend and they invited me to be on their vlog series. I agreed, we played with them, then we did a gig together, then I asked him to help me make this new album!They’re some of the sweetest guys in the business, so I recommend that everyone work with them. This album is about John Still, a fictional character who has the ability to see into the future. When he realizes he can’t have the woman he loves, he makes a potion out of pheromones to make her fall in love with him. The first song takes place once the potion starts to wear off."
Is there a certain way you both go about recording/writing your music to get you in your zone? A dimmed lit room or sitting at the beach?
"I typically just write songs in my living room or on car rides when I’m alone haha.They’re based on things I experience, feel, and witness others experiencing. I’m really curious and as a result hear a lot of other people’s stories. Those stories end up mashing together and becoming a song much later down the road."
Your performances from So Far Sounds in Portland and Santa Barbara were awesome! What were those experiences like?
"It’s a great company to work with. One of the hardest things to do is get people to listen to your music. It’s insanely helpful that there’s a company trying to move forward little guys like me in their career."
On the subject of performances, one question that I’ve asked every artist that I have interviewed so far is who was the first artist that you saw live? Who did you go with and where? How was your overall experience!?!
Maybe someone at the Antelope Valley Fair?? Maybe Journey??The first concert I ever personally paid for was LIGHTS. She’s a canadian pop singer I used to be obsessed with.It was down in L.A. and I yelled out to her to ask if she’d marry me. She has married someone else. Despite this, I still like her music.Best experience at a concert ever - past, present, and future.
When doing your performances, is there a certain routine that you do before you perform or is there something you need to have with you at all times?
"I just try to connect with the audience as best I can. I try to really look at their body language and see what’s working, and then adjust from there. I try not to drink very much at shows. I really need to have my wits about me to make sure I can take a swing at any curve balls that get thrown my way."
You’re also gearing up to release your new album September 7th! What can you tell us about the new record? How is it different compared to your Wanting Man EP?
"The new record is going to be the best thing I’ve ever put out...hands down.The Wanting Man EP was my favorite 6 songs out of the first 40 songs I wrote. This new album is going to be some of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, packaged in a way that tells an actual story from start to finish."
You’re also going to be playing some upcoming shows until December! Will some of the songs off of the new album be featured in the performances?
"I play about 3-5 gigs every week of my life haha. It’s been that way for about a year now. I’ll play whatever songs you ask me to play if you ever want to come out!Lots of my gigs (not all of them) are 1-3 hours long, so for longer gigs I typically play whatever seems to suit the room/my mood."
What are Conner Cherland’s pros and cons about touring haha?
Pros: new friends, constant leaps of faith, new places, allows you to break any habits you’ve developed in the last year
Cons: no stability, can’t see your friends from home, you miss your home, and when someone cancels a gig last minute you’re kinda screwed.
