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INTERVIEW: Allen Stone keeps it soulful, comes full circle with ‘Radius’

Jon Berrien
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Allen Stone keeps it real with his commitment to making uncompromisingly soulful music that transcends all pop conventions.

For his third album ‘Radius,’ Allen hones in on issues both timeless and of-the-moment, he touches on topics ranging from rampant materialism to technology’s toxic takeover of art, ‘Radius‘ drops May 26th via Capitol Records.

GroundSounds recently caught up with Allen to talk about this latest project, musical inspirations and more, check out the exclusive interview below.

 

For those just discovering Allen Stone, can you tell us a little bit about your upbringing and how you got started with music?

I started singing in my Pop’s church as a kiddo. My parents both sang and we would sing as a family all the time.

You are originally from Seattle, what do you enjoy most about this city? What is one local spot that every visitor should check out? 

Seattle is the tits. Summer is my favorite. Everything is luscious and green. Everyone is mad happy because the sun is finally out. Such a killer place to be. Everybody has gotta hit up The Crocodile. It’s a venue that I believe holds the majority of Seattle music history. Everybody has played there.

Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with your latest single “Upside?”

Upside was written during a session at my cabin. I own a cabin in rural eastern Washington state that I built a studio inside of. Tingsek, Steveland Swatkins and myself got together for a weekend and that song came out of it.

unnamed-2We are pretty stoked for your upcoming album Radius, what has it been like working on this project and bringing it to fruition?

Its been a LONG labor of love. Everyone who worked on that record with me deserves an award for their patience and hard work. Nothing special though. Maybe a Starbucks gift card or something.

You create soulful music that transcends all pop conventions, what is it about this sound that attracts you to it?

It’s the groove baby. Go funk something!!

You have a slew of performance dates coming up in Seattle and you will also be hitting the road…what do you enjoy most about touring?

It’s the only thing that is still real. Everything else about entertainment is fake. Pictures are posed. Pop records are made with computer programs (minus the good records. i.e.: Father John Misty, Alabama Shakes, Beck, Bernhoft, etc.) Most bands don’t even ACTUALLY play live. They have tracks playing whilst they act like they are playing. I like to tour and play live because I’m able to get back to the reason I enjoy music to begin with. PLAYING IT! In real time with real humans for real humans.

What was it like working with Swedish soul singer/songwriter Magnus Tingsek and producers Benny Cassette and Malay?

All three of those dudes are rad. Good people with mad talent. Really enjoyed making music with them. Tingsek is a swiss army knife in the studio. Can play anything he wants. Benny is a spiritual guru who makes the studio experience feel like you are changing the world instead of just making noise. Malay is a Washington State native, which makes him rad. Killer songwriter that boy is.

Can you tell us about the inspiration for your track “Freedom?”

Freedom for me is a song about dying to self. Getting over my ego and understanding my insignificance. Thus allowing me to live freely.

After the release of Radius, what is next for Allen Stone, what can fans look forward to?

Tour, Tour, Tour. I will be on the road heaps in the next couple years. Come out to a show. GIVE ME A CHANCE!!

Stay in touch with Allen Stone: FACEBOOK | WEBSITE