The sound of Los Angeles-based musician, producer, and singer Shallou is among the most recognizable in the realm of chill electronica. His sonic world acquaints us with shades of ambient, chillwave, indie electronic, and downtempo, often layered with soft vocals, lush synths, and organic textures like piano and field recordings. This has led to an almost decade-long career where he has amassed millions of streams, collaborated with iconic acts, and played major festivals across the globe, including Coachella. The most important part of his journey though, is that he has offered his music as a safe space for many to find solace in times of need through exploring themes related to longing, nostalgia, and soul-searching.
His newest EP 25, Winter stands as a marvelous example of this sentiment. Since his debut EP All Becomes Okay, he’s consistently carried a message of hope through his music - reminding us that things will be okay and that even the most ordinary moments hold extraordinary beauty. In this interview, Shallou takes us through what it's like to make a project like 25, Winter, and the messaging behind the music.
What moments did you cherish the most when you were still very young and making music in your college dorm bedroom?
I loved how limitless it felt to create, like I could do whatever I wanted. I could sample things, make music in all kinds of different ways just to learn how things fit together, and not have to worry about building a cohesive sound. I remember discovering the early Flying Lotus and Mount Kimbie albums and spending hours isolating their kicks or claps to use in my own beats. I also remember how it felt to play things for my friends and for them to be really surprised that I even knew how to make music. I definitely was shy about it at first but once I got that early approval I threw myself into the craft even more.
Looking back, was there a particular realization or shift in perspective that had a major impact on your career trajectory and how you move?
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I think I had that shift more recently actually. From talking to other artists that have had very long careers, I learned that making the music you love and leaning into what makes you different is the most important thing. I spent a lot of time trying to adapt my music to pop audiences or club audiences, but I realized I could be influenced by those things and use them as tools, rather than change myself to fit a certain mold. I think once COVID hit and everything slowed down, I was able to look back at what I had achieved and really ponder, what do I want to do or make now, if it all ended tomorrow? That has been my north star lately.
Is there a recurring theme/message/sound in your music that reflects something fundamental about you?
I really just want to make pretty music that is soft or delicate, and I’m not afraid to be a little trite (or some would say cheesy) in my production or lyrics. I really like big emotions and since I’m rather reserved in my personal life aside from close friends, I express that in my music. I love Coldplay, musicals, film scores, just the most melodramatic stuff you can think of, so those kinds of instincts are there with certain choices I make. I think I’ve been able to connect with people through just doing what I do best. I want people to feel like they can connect to the music on a deeper childlike level, not just put it on for the party.
What was going on in your life while you were in the process of making 25, Winter? And did it perhaps have an impact on your creative process?
Each of my season EPs has been the same challenge: what can I make that feels how I feel right now, and also reflects the current season? Also, what can I get done in time to make the deadline. None of these songs were made prior to the actual season they’re released in. Winter was the perfect chance to luxuriate a little bit in deeper house elements, ambient interludes, and folky acoustic sounds.
In which way does the theme and message in this project differ from the previous seasonal EP?
This one I think is a perfect transition out of 24, autumn. Autumn is always an introspective time for me, so there’s a lot of lyrics on that one. This one I really brought back the instrumental energy of my first music.
What role do the instrumental pieces "Overture" and "Hereafter" play in the project, and how do they contribute to the narrative?
Overture is a companion to ‘Gone,’ and ‘Hereafter’ is a companion to ‘So Far.’ In the original demos they weren’t even separate tracks, but I felt so strongly that ‘Gone’ and ‘So Far’ could stand on their own as sort of pop indie electronic and didn’t feel like anything else at the time really fit the ‘cooler’ sounds of those tracks. I think all the tracks have a little bit of an element of every season, which in this current climate of winter being generally shorter, I thought was kind of interesting.
What kind of emotional release did creating this project provide for you personally?
The speed at which I have to finish each EP to keep up with the seasons actually helped me release a lot of perfectionist tendencies and really synthesize my best demos into something that works all together. I’m really excited for people to hear how all 4 EPs fit together.
Are there any specific practices that keep your creative energy flowing? On the flip side, what habits do you find hinder your creative flow?
Alongside short term projects, I like to have one big long term project that I think a lot about and tinker with. So if I ever get bored or uninspired with music, I can put some energy into that and revisit. Playing with a new synth of even exploring the thousands of presets that come with our DAWs and plugins these days make it impossible to not find new sounds to use.
My creative flow is always hindered by high expectations. Maybe that's a fault of mine, but when the pressure is on too much I tend to shy away from being myself. It's definitely something I’m working on, and I think not being tied too much to the outcome of a project, whether it be financial or critical, really helps me be interesting in my work.
What does performing live give you that being in the studio and producing can't?
Just seeing which songs people care about hearing. Also crafting sets helps me recontextualize what I’m doing and zoom out and look at my whole discography.
What's an area in your craft where you're feeling unsure about and really looking to improve on currently?
I think the speed of my workflow. Yes I’ve been able to churn out more music lately, but I’m still so blown away by other producers who can make something great in like an hour. I think shortening the time it takes between an idea hitting your brain and you translating that to the artistic medium you use allows you to keep moving through ideas in real time more efficiently. For example, if I have an excellent synth melody but I can’t find a good synth that fits with it, and I spend an hour or two just trying to find the right synth, then I’ve lost momentum on continuing to create great melodies or other parts of the song. It sort of becomes an organizational problem more than anything. Sometimes certain things take a long time, but I like to leave those things to the end of the creative process once I’ve sort of vomited all my ideas out haha.
An album that made you rethink what's possible in music?
Probably something by Jon Hopkins
Okay so,1) An artist/band you’d love to have a D.M.C (deep meaningful conversation) with 2) An artist you think would be rad to party with 3) An artist you would love to be your mentor. You’re welcome to select from artists who are dead/retired.
- I think Paul Mccartney. I’d really like to know how it feels to be a pioneer of pop music that early in its inception and to see all the crazy seeds that have grown from your original work. Who does he think is carrying that torch now?
- I think everyone else thinks the same thing but I think I’d be really good friends with Benny Blanco lol
- Bonobo - he really gives each branch of his career such depth and has been doing the same sort of thing as I’ve always aimed to do. His live band shows, explorative DJ sets and expertly crafted albums all inspire me so much.
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