Happy Monday, readers!
Meet our Music Monday artist this week, Conrad Sewell.
Conrad Sewell is a 27-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from Brisbane, Australia is definitely on our “ones to watch” for 2016. Known for his killer vocals on Kygo‘s global smash dance (and crossover) hit “Firestone,” Conrad is ready to show the world who he really is musically with a solo EP this December.
On the EP, Sewell collaborated with an all-star team of writers and producers including Jamie Hartman (Christina Aguilera, Joss Stone), Sam Hollande (Train, One Direction) and Ric Rosse (Sara Bareilles, Gavin Degraw). The EP draws from pop, dance, rock and even gospel influences.
Conrad has toured with chart toppers Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5 and will be touring the UK this fall with Jess Glynne. He can be seen stateside performing at iHearRadio’s upcoming Jingle Ball Tour in Oakland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York, Miami and Tampa.
Written/produced by Brian Lee (Lady Gaga, Icona Pop) and Louis Bell, Conrad‘s latest single “Hold Me Up” is currently on US radio and is a tune that will for sure be stuck in your heads for all the right reasons. Just last week, Conrad released the official video for his track “Start Again,” which earned him 3 ARIA nominations (Breakthrough Artist, Best Pop Release for “Start Again,” and Song of the Year for “Start Again”) — make sure to check out the music video below.
CelebSecrets4U caught up with Conrad Sewell recently to chat all things music! In our interview, the Aussie singer opened up about his upcoming EP (out this December), collaborating with his sister Grace, living in Los Angeles, and what it was like touring with Maroon 5 and Ed Sheeran. Conrad even told us that his luscious locks are here to stay (
) and he’s really good at bowling, pool, ping-pong, and darts — make sure to read the full Q&A below!
For more information on Conrad Sewell, visit his official website at http://conradofficial.com/.
CS4U: You started pursuing a music career at the mere age of 8 and now you’re an internationally acclaimed rising singer-songwriter. How does it feel to have achieved that dream?
Conrad Sewell: “It’s been a great year! It feels very good and I feel very blessed, but I’ve got a long way to go and I still have to convince a lot of people. I’m enjoying it for what it is, but there’s a lot more work to be done.”
CS4U: Your sister, Grace is a singer-songwriter herself. Have you two ever considered collaborating?
Conrad Sewell: “Yes, we have collaborated. We’ve written songs together our whole lives, but most recently we recorded a song which will hopefully be featured on our albums and it’s a really cool song. It’s called ‘The Code’.”
CS4U: You’re from Australia, you used to live in the UK and now you’re currently residing in Los Angeles. Out of these 3 amazing places, which one did you enjoy living in the most?
Conrad Sewell: “I really love living in Los Angeles just because musically there’s such a big, creative hub. I’ve always had this obsession with America to be honest, so to be living there is like a dream come true.”
CS4U: You recently went on tour with Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5. Do you have any backstage secrets you can tell us about?
Conrad Sewell: “I don’t really have any juicy secrets. It was just great to go out on tour with both of these acts. They’re both very different and we’re at around the same age so we all got to hang out. We had a bit more fun because we were able to go out to like a bar after a show. With Maroon 5, I was more in ‘awe’ just by watching them because they’ve been doing this for so long. The way that Adam Levine graced the stage every night was inspiring to me. I would always pick up tips along the way from whatever they were doing, whether it be warm-ups or just how to carry yourself while on tour.”
CS4U: We’re obsessed with the acoustic version of Firestone! It really shows off your voice! Will we be hearing more songs like this from you?
Conrad Sewell: “Yes, definitely! That’s sort of what I do best. I feel that my voice sounds better when it has barely anything behind it and it’s just my voice and the song. Just an emotional, soulful performance.”
CS4U: Your hair has become a sort of signature of yours, would you ever consider chopping it all off or are the luscious locks here to stay?
Conrad Sewell: “My luscious locks are definitely here to stay! You don’t want to see me with short hair, I’m not very attractive. Or I might cause a bit of controversy and pull a Justin Timberlake: right before a programming, I’ll shave it off the day of!”
CS4U: We can’t wait for your upcoming debut EP! What can your fans expect from the album? What was the process behind making it?
Conrad Sewell: “The EP is pretty much where I am at with my music today. It has some great pop songs, very powerful vocals and it’s sort of teasing everyone for what’s to come which is going to be a very soulful, pop record with a classic feel. I hope people will want to listen to it for years to come.”
CS4U: For our readers who haven’t heard of you, why should they take a listen?
Conrad Sewell: “They should take a listen because I think that my music is very heartfelt and it means something to people. Especially if they’re music lovers and they love big soulful voices. I think it’s going to help them through good times and bad. Everyone loves to find a new, up and coming artist whose journey they can be apart of, I’m that guy.”
CS4U: Since we are CelebSecrets4U, can you tell us a secret about yourself or a hidden talent you have that fans may not know about?
Conrad Sewell: “Hmm secrets. Well I have quite a few random talents. I’m quite good at random things like bowling, pool, ping-pong, darts. Anything that circus freaks would be good at, I’m pretty much good at. So even though people say I’m a ‘girly’ guy because I have long hair, I’m actually quite coordinated and very much a man, man.”
