Interview with Warren Zeiders

1 (57s): hello. It is Adam. Welcome back to bring in a backwards, a podcast where both legendary and rising artists tell their own personal stories of how they achieve stardom. On this episode, we had a chance to hang out with Warren zaders over zoom video. Warren was born and raised in Hershey, Pennsylvania talks about how he got into music. Actually, we talk a lot about Hershey, Pennsylvania. I didn't know that the guy that started Reesey's Reeses, peanut butter cups was also from Hershey. So there's a lot of candy being made there. And I guess right outside it, and Lancaster, there's a Carmel of some soared candy that was made. I don't know. 3 (1m 37s): We learned a lot about candy and Hershey, Pennsylvania, and the cool amusement park they have there. But anyway, we also learn all about Warren and his journey and music. He has an interesting one where he picked up a guitar around sixth grade, pick some lessons up as well, but only did it kind of as a hobby would play every once in a mile, learn some cover songs on YouTube or whatever, but he was way into lacrosse. Played lacrosse through high school into college was playing lacrosse in college when he had his second concussion, which ended up taking him out of lacrosse altogether. Unfortunately. So he talks about overcoming that and how he turned to guitar and songwriting. 3 (2m 18s): He tells us about a couple of little validating moments that happened to him even prior to the concussions and stopping lacrosse with his music career, just jumping on certain stages and people being like, man, you should really pursue this. He ends up obviously doing that years later, but it all started with him. Posting covers on Tik TOK and Instagram, really building a fan base there, then having the courage to put out one of his own songs that he had written. And that also did very well. He talks about the recording process of his song on the run, which blew up for him on, on social media. He recorded it with like two Mike's. He bought at guitar center. 3 (2m 59s): And I think a cheap interface. That's still the recording. That's up on Spotify. That has what like 12 million plays. Now that we learned about that, we learned about the success of ride the lightning and all about his brand new EAP, 7 1 7 tapes. You can watch our interview with Warren on our Facebook page and YouTube channel at bringing it backwards. It would be awesome if you subscribe to our channel like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik TOK at bringing back pod. And if you're listening to this on Spotify or apple music or Google podcasts would be awesome. If you follow us there as well, and hook us up with a five star review, 4 (3m 38s): We'd appreciate your support. If you follow and subscribe to our podcasts, wherever you listen to podcast, 3 (3m 44s): We're bringing it backwards with Warren cider. Again. Thanks for doing this. I did read you're from Hershey, Pennsylvania. Is that where you're born and raised? 5 (3m 53s): So that born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, originally from a place called Dunkin' in Pennsylvania, which is about an hour north of there, and then spent my early childhood there, but primarily Hershey, Pennsylvania. 3 (4m 4s): So born in Hershey. And then you moved an hour north and then ended up moving back down. 5 (4m 10s): Yes, yes, yes. 3 (4m 12s): Okay. How long were you at hour north of there? Not very long. 5 (4m 15s): I would say since I was two years old, up until fourth grade, I was raised by my grandparents. So it was a good, a good way to grow up. 3 (4m 25s): That's amazing. That's really cool. I know a few. Okay. So obviously Hershey, Pennsylvania, you have the, the candy bar and a Hershey park. My wife is like obsessed. She really wants to go to Hershey park, like with the rug. I'm like, why do you want to go see where the Hershey candy bars are? And she's showing me there's rollercoasters, all this stuff going on there, like is growing up there that much, just be like the main, like the pinnacle of the town, right? Is it just like the guy that founded it right? Is Milton Hershey. And 5 (4m 56s): He had originated in a Lancaster, which is 45 minutes away from me where I got a best friend. And so he started out with Lancaster caramels and then came into Hershey and built the town of Hershey. 3 (5m 7s): That's crazy. Yep. So did you ever, were you like, did you grow up like around the park there? Like did your friends at work? There was that like a, a big thing? 5 (5m 16s): It was a thing. So I grew up going to the Hershey school district. So, you know, being in that area, you know, the thing was with, with the laws and whatnot, you could work at Hershey park at a younger age with this particular type of jobs, whether it was like, you know, cleaning rides or wiping down rides or sweeping up the park and stuff. But, you know, I can throw a rock in my backyard pretty much. So, you know, it w it was the thing to do when you were younger and, you know, you would get your Hershey park pass, which you could go whenever you want it. But when it's in your back, when it's in your backyard, you know, it's you get it allied. And you're like, okay, I got it. 5 (5m 57s): Now, 3 (5m 59s): You just got over it or what you're like, ah, okay. 5 (6m 2s): It's no more. I grew up. I realized, I mean, it, over the summers, it's like, it's like that in Nashville, you know, summer hits and the streets are wild and packed with people. So around the summer, you know, you're the, you're the, you're the local dealing with tourists and stuff. So a bunch of people come into town from New York to New Jersey and stuff, but it's an awesome place. And that was a really cool place to, you know, grow up. 3 (6m 25s): That's amazing. And I also just, I was just like so fascinated by this. And I started reading into this, this town you grew up in, I didn't realize that the guy that created the Reese's peanut butter cup and from there to, yup. I blew my mind. I'm like so much candy is coming out of this one town. 5 (6m 41s): Yep. Not far, like I said, not far from there and Lancaster caramels to then Hershey chocolate bar. And then my mother actually worked for Hershey entertainment for a little bit. And she dealt with, you know, Hershey entertainment, oversaw the park and resorts and stuff. And there she hotel, which is a big attraction to, it's a really nice hotel on top of the hill there in town. So it's a, it's a neat little town. It's a cool place. 3 (7m 5s): That's amazing. I know we're going to take a trip there soon enough. I mean, my, my wife's like all about it. We just moved, speaking of Nashville, we just moved here. We're in Nashville. I don't know if that's where you're at now, but yeah, we moved here about a year ago and like, that's her thing. She's like, okay, we did the Dollywood thing. We got to go to Hershey or close enough. But yeah, well enough about that. I'm curious aside from being that close to the Hershey park, how did you get into music? 5 (7m 33s): Getting into music? You know, it started from an early age and I don't know if it early kind of like led on to this, this musical background and any other interviews I've had or anything like that. But it's kind of came to my mind, you know, growing up, you know, you've seen the movies and I love playing guitar hero growing up. So, you know, I, I fell in love with, you know, the guitar and now I was interested in the drums and whatnot, but it wasn't too. It wasn't till really sixth grade where I picked up a guitar, he started taking some lessons and you know, I'm a young boy and you know, I'm interested in some women. So the, the, the narrative is a guy who can sing and play guitar, you know, like it's the ladies. So picked up a guitar in sixth grade and, you know, see, see if I enjoy it and stuff. 5 (8m 20s): And I didn't really do a whole bunch of lessons. It was more or less, my life was more centered on sports growing up, which I played lacrosse for 12 years. Oh, wow. Yeah. Long time, long time, all year round, long commitment. So I'm used to, I really committed myself to something and, you know, musical background there, there really was none there where there wasn't that I have no one really musically in my family, no one ever in the music industry, no one ever really thinking to pursue such a thing. But I always have, I always had a love for singing. I always had a love for it, grew up in church. 5 (9m 1s): So I was raised on singing hymns and stuff in the church views. And whether I was, you know, hanging around friends or listened to the radio or on the lacrosse field, I'd be humming a tune or singing something and just never really dawned on me to have a really do something with it. Yeah. So that's kind of like the background and then it wasn't until I know I'm talking a lot. I'm rambling. 3 (9m 29s): No, this is awesome. I just want to touch on some of what you just said. That's cool. I'm curious. You said you took guitar in sixth grade. He picked it up and it was, it'd be picked it up because of a girl. Is that what he said? Or you just thought it was, 5 (9m 44s): I, it was, it was the thing, you know, you see, you hear about it. All the guy plays guitar and it was always, 3 (9m 51s): To me, it wasn't some specific girl that you're like, okay, I'm going to get the guitar and she's going to dig this air. That's just in general, 5 (9m 59s): In general, in general, the way to pick up ladies. 3 (10m 2s): Okay. Got it. Got it. And then did you, I mean, it sounds like you obviously did lacrosse for a long time. Was guitar something that you picked up and did a few lessons and then put it down because lacrosse kind of overtook your, 5 (10m 14s): Yeah, it kind of was that lacrosse was a full-time thing for me. And I had such a love for it. I played all year round. So I was always trout, always traveling around everywhere, 24, 7, 8 sleep across. I always used to say, and I had a passion to go play in college, which I ended up somewhat, somewhat doing. I got to the collegiate level. And unfortunately my freshman year I had two concussions man, which I've, I've been, I've been blessed with seven of them. 3 (10m 46s): Oh my gosh. Yeah. Oh my, I guess a 201 year. They're kind of like, okay, you got to call it. 5 (10m 54s): It w it was a mix of me kind of realizing and reflecting being like, I think it's time for me to hang it up after all this stuff and a mix of the NCAA rules and their guidelines. But, you know, I had that reflection period of, you know, you, you do something for so long and you identify with it, you know, like, that's your thing, that's who you are. Like, I was lacrosse player and that's all I really knew. I spent all my time doing it and, you know, trying to perfect my craft. And after that happened and I hung it up, you know, there was a period of like, you know, kind of who am I like? What's like, what, what now? Like, where do I go in life? 5 (11m 34s): And that's what kind of leads into this story with, I mean, now I'm in this, 3 (11m 40s): It's kind of, I mean, obviously your whole identity, like you just said, it's kind of stripped from you. Everyone probably know Warren's the, yeah. He plays lacrosse. He did the like, through high school and everything else, if you're traveling, I mean, that group of kids that you probably grew up with, or all the lacrosse kids on the team, and then you go to college, that's what you're doing. And then you get the second concussion. Like how do you even wrap your head around that? I mean, that must have just been like so devastating. 5 (12m 6s): It was, and, you know, I try to be open with this in other interviews I've had and stuff too, but like, it's, cause it's a serious thing, but no, I fell into a little bit of a depression and, you know, a serious thing and it definitely is a side effect of it too. I know I was closed off from, you know, kind of the outside world. I wasn't taking exams. I wasn't going to class just because it was such a bad concussion after all the ones that I had, that I was confined to a dark room pretty much cause lights bothered me. Yep. So it was, it was a weird time, but it was, it was a good time for me to really think about where my life's heading, what do I want to do? 5 (12m 48s): And kind of, you know, figure out those questions as a freshman in college and being like, okay, it's just what I'm going to do for five years. Am I going to come back and get my MBA, do this and all that stuff. But you know, it was a turning point, but you know, I'm always up for a challenge and you know, the sayings are, you know, it's not, doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down matter if you're willing to get back up. 3 (13m 11s): Well, I mean, that's incredible that you're able to have kind of that, that outlook, like, okay, what am I going to do now? Let me focus on what what's next for me. Instead of just being like so stuck in the fact that I like, not only can I, am I confined to this room because my head is hurting so bad, but my whole life, you know, again, my identity is stripped from me now, what am I going to do now? Like, do I continue going to school? Blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean, it sounds like you were already like looking forward instead of looking back at, you know, what you had lost. 5 (13m 40s): Yeah. I think that, you know, it's, I think it was as part of, you know, my years of playing the sport and all of the discipline and the characteristics that were instilled with me with being an athlete and a person who's always go, go, go, go, and always doing things and trying to set goals and accomplish things. And I think it has to do with the way I was raised to even my family, no, coming from a great set of parents. And like I said, I grew up behind my grandparents for a little bit. No, I grew up with watching people who work their tail off for everything that they had. So there was really no time for, you know, sitting there and so this in the wrong way, but wallow in my own pity, because it was more, it was more or less like, you know, the shit happens. 5 (14m 24s): Like every, like things happen to people every day. It's all up to you as if, you know, you want to keep moving forward. 3 (14m 30s): I mean, again, I commend you. That's such a great outlook to have. And I mean, the, obviously the work ethic you have with, with lacrosse and, and pushing that hard, I mean, sports in general are hard. Not the college level is just like another beast. I'm sure when it comes to that and there was a way training. Yeah. Well, I mean, I'm sure you had a practice like almost all day, right? I mean, even in high school, the two, a days and all that 5 (14m 56s): Two practices, film, you had strength and conditioning wake ups in the morning for conditioning lifting during the day study hall. Yeah. It's a, it's a commitment to commitment. 3 (15m 7s): Was that, I mean, obviously I'm sure that work ethic pulled over into your music career and what you're doing now as far as is your songwriting. And was that something that was your new almost like obsession once you're able to, you know, get out of that haze and focus on guitar. It's like, okay, I'm just going to do this. Like 5 (15m 27s): I went through I, so yeah. To, to touch on that story, you know, after the whole lacrosse thing, when I got to school, you know, I brought my guitar with me and you know, you know, what I was going to do with it, I was like, you know, I'll be the duty brings his guitar to school and maybe picks it up from time to time and just plays it. 3 (15m 46s): Well, you hadn't really played it before, after the sixth grade thing, you just kind of kept it around or sorry. 5 (15m 51s): No, no, I did. It was an occasional thing when friends and family were over and, you know, oh, Warren plays guitar and Hey, bring it out to the bonfire. And if there's any songs that I was listening to and I was like, oh cool. I'll just go online real quick on YouTube, but I'll, I'll learn how to play it. That was one of them 3 (16m 8s): We're actively playing a little bit, but just not serious enough. Just kind of like a hobby. 5 (16m 15s): Yeah. It was, it was always there. It was always talking to me that I was supposed to do something like this. This never, just never listened to the signs. And you know, I, I, you know, I, it's funny as we're talking, I look back and I reflect of all those, you know, I have my faith and stuff and all those signs that, you know, I believe in that God, you know, along the way kind of, you know, put there and hinting at, you know, maybe delete to this one day, me and this position, but yeah, always there. And you know, I, you know, if I had a free chance and I, I was like, oh, this school song, I want to learn to play this. I'm going to go ahead and learn it. And when I went to college, you know, I picked up a guitar, just was playing some covers and stuff. And if my friends in the live with lacrosse players for two years, and if they're like, Hey man, like you want to do, you know, this song, I look it up and I play it. 5 (17m 2s): And I remember what they said to me. They're like, well, you don't suck. And I was like, okay, if I have, if I have seven lacrosse players telling me I don't suck, I think that's their way of telling me it's a compliment. Right. 3 (17m 16s): They don't want to tell you how great you are as long as you don't suck. Yeah, 5 (17m 22s): It was. Yeah. And there's a, if you wanna hear another story, it goes hand in hand with that whole thing. I'd love to hear it. I was a, I was at a, I was at a party over Christmas. My freshman year. I I've had school where I went and the one dude on the team also sang and played guitar and he had a whole stage set up and stuff. And you know, a bunch of ladies are there and I'm just chilling and have myself a drink. I'm relaxing. You know, not thinking anything of it. Little did, I know that the guys I'm living with were going to shove me up onto the stage and I'm like, I don't, I don't do this. I don't, it's not me. I just sing and play for fun for you guys and whoever I'm comfortable around. 5 (18m 5s): Right. They shoved me up and I, and I play and, and everyone kind of, oh, did I miss you there? 3 (18m 16s): Yeah, no, no, it's fine. The joys of zoom. 5 (18m 20s): Yes. And so I get up and play and whatnot and I get off stage and everyone's response was, why are you, why are you playing lacrosse? Why have you ever thought about pursuing music? And I just kind of shrugged it off. And I was just kinda like, I mean, I just play fun. Y'all I just played you guys one song. And that was that you guys told me to go up there and play. So what'd you do 3 (18m 40s): A cover song or was it a 5 (18m 42s): I'm sorry, I'm trying remember what song it was, but it was a cover song, had a couple of drinks that night, But yeah, so that was a, a stepping stone in that direction. And, you know, back on to the whole athletics thing, after I'd give up lacrosse, I fell into this mindset of, you know, building up a callous mind and almost building up my body and stuff. And I took a really big love for just my wellness after those concussions and the strength and conditioning, and just really taking care of my fitness life, which led me into having to focus on that as well as my schooling and, and then having more time for, you know, singing, playing guitar and learning covers and stuff. 5 (19m 28s): But if you have any other questions I can get to the point where, how here, how we got here to present. 3 (19m 33s): No. Yeah, no, that's awesome. Yeah. I'm curious. So you obviously, you know, you jump up on stage, you play, but you're still in the, in the lacrosse world at this time. Correct. And then this happens to you and how do you, you know, how do you end up going back to the guitar and how does this whole career begin for you? 5 (19m 53s): Yeah, so it, you know, a transfer schools, then I then went to Penn state. I transferred back home, back to Pennsylvania. I was going to school in Maryland to play lacrosse transfer back home. 3 (20m 6s): Was that, sorry, was that a, is that hard to jump out of that school and that group of friends, those people you knew to go to Penn state, 5 (20m 13s): It was a little bit to a certain degree, but it was also something that I knew I had to do. I was like, this is just kind of like, this is who I was, this is what I did. I'm going to disconnect and I'm going to reevaluate and you know, things come and go, people come and go and stuff. And that's a way of life. That's kind of the way I think, too. And it was the best decision for me to, you know, clearly everything happens for a reason, moved back and moved back home. And you know, it was tough because I moved back home, lived under my parents' roof and stuff. And I'm like, I had freedoms and not that my parents are the worst, but you know, it it's different as a young adult, it is different. 5 (20m 55s): But at this point I wouldn't change it for the world, but I moved back home and it wasn't till really my junior year, you know, I was singing and playing guitar, just messing around with some cover songs and stuff. And one night I went out to my parents, buy me out to go out to dinner. And they said, Hey, we'd love for you to come out of the bar. And there was a woman playing and I had this out of body experience. 0 (21m 26s): You realize you liked me that way deal because it's one thing to receive McDonald's. But an entirely other thing to know that they woke up early to face the world and bring you McDonald's breakfast, still hot in the back. Appreciate you. 2 (21m 41s): There's a deal for every morning. Now grab two loaded sausage burritos for only three bucks prices and participation may vary single item at regular price and not be combined with any other offer combo meal, 5 (21m 56s): Where she asked for a song request. And I throw in one up there and she said, I don't know how to play that song. So I throw my hand up and I say, well, I sing and play guitar. So she calls me up. I take the guitar and I sing and she's already under, after I'm done playing. She's thinking, have you been down to Nashville? Do you have stuff out on streaming platforms? Are you on social media? And I'm like, Nope, just got back home transferring schools. And here we are. Wow. So that was kind of another, wake up, call another tap on the shoulder. Hey, there's been numerous people telling you that this is something that you might want to maybe go down that road might want to go try and see what's down there. 5 (22m 47s): So that happens. And then before you know it, we all know it COVID comes out of nowhere. I'm confined to the walls of my home. And what do I do? I have a friend who says, Hey, love to sing and play guitar. You can't go out and play around the bars on chop, on social media and, you know, start posting stuff. So I did, and I started posting covers and original music and stuff. And really before we knew it, I wasn't trying it. I was mailing in college, still just having fun, just post some videos when I could. And there was no rhyme or reason to it. I just was playing stuff that I was listening to and playing stuff that I was trying to write. And people, my fans, who I call my family now, just my fans is what got me here. 5 (23m 33s): Like I mentally never could've dreamt this. They just were like, Hey man, I like the way your voice is. I like what you're writing. You should do this. You should be an artist. I'm just a Golic boast and stuff. 3 (23m 50s): Well, with that, I mean, was it to you, it sounds like you started with obviously covers, right? And then when do you decide to write your first song? Or like what, how did that come about? 5 (24m 1s): So it had happened the summer going into my junior year. I started writing down, you know, a verse and a chorus and now I put it down and this was kind of when I was still kind of just posting covers and stuff on Tik TOK and Instagram for fun. And, and obviously I still have fun doing it, but I just say it in that context that there was no mindset 3 (24m 27s): I'm doing this just for the heck of it or whatever. 5 (24m 31s): Exactly. Yeah, pretty much. And I think that that's the cool part behind it is the innocence behind it. Is that when I say my fans did this, they literally did that. And directed me into this and saying, we can tell you have a love for this. So we're going to give you an opportunity to actually do this without you even, even having the knowledge of knowing you're doing it. So, yeah. So I started writing a song that summer going into my junior year. Was it? Yeah, my junior year. And it was my senior year, either one of those. And I think it was my senior year. 5 (25m 11s): I can't, I can't remember. I'm getting my dates mixed up, but right. And put it down and didn't really think much of it. And then I had, again, my fans, they're like, Hey, we love your covers. Can you play this one of your original songs? And I'm like, oh yeah, I guess I did. I did write, start writing an original song. Maybe I should finish that. So I did and people just gravitate towards it and they were, they were loving it. And that's kind of, when this thing kind of came over me, when I realized I was doing things without even realizing it, it was just kind of an unconscious thing just from, Hey, y'all like, I just, you know, I put something up on SoundCloud, but someone will be YouTube. 5 (25m 57s): And I realized my fans were just going there because they wanted to hear what I was doing. Like, it wasn't even me like trying it. They were just like, Hey, great. But something out, let me go do this. And it was, it was an overwhelming experience to see the demand and just the passion behind my fans of just wanting more stuff from me. So 3 (26m 21s): Was it hard to, I mean, obviously it's super vulnerable to show a song to somebody, especially the first one, one of the first ones. You've right. And then now you already have like a, an audience or a fan base on you from the covers. And it's like, okay, here's my original song. Was it hard to put that out? Thinking like, what if everyone's like, oh, you know, go back to the cover. You never don't know how you're gonna, they're going to perceive 5 (26m 45s): You don't and that's, and that's a big thing that I've realized here too, is, you know, people have told me through this last year, you know, it's one thing to post covers if it's a popular song and if it's working, cause then, you know, if you know, you can make it your own, it's a recognizable thing. But to come out with original music and new content, make it your own, it's, it's a tricky situation. And you know, the fun story behind my first song I put out was on the run and that song, I recorded my bedroom. I went to guitar center, I grabbed two mikes and interface had no idea what I was doing, press for request to record. And there was a one-take all the way through that. Was it. 3 (27m 25s): Wow. 5 (27m 26s): Yup. 3 (27m 27s): That's the one that's used to still the one that you've put out or did you went and rerecord it? No. No. 5 (27m 33s): Whoa. 3 (27m 35s): That's, that's amazing. 5 (27m 37s): Yep. So crazy to reflect back and see what's done 3 (27m 42s): Well, that just goes to show anyone, you know, you can buy two mikes and a interface and if you have a good enough silence, could I get over 11 million plays on Spotify? Yeah. What a different world we're in now. So you don't have to essentially you spend a hundred grand to record a record, but I mean, that's great. So that's did that take off like, was that when that really started to catch fire or was it, I mean, obviously ride the lightning is huge. 5 (28m 11s): Yeah. So that's the funny thing. So it's a weird world, man. So on the run was the first song I technically ever wrote and I recorded it in my bedroom and saying it, one take uploaded it and people were loving it on social media. The second song that I ever wrote. And the first song that I ever wrote down in Nashville was ride the lightning. 3 (28m 36s): Oh, wow. Yeah. That's incredible. Yeah. 5 (28m 42s): So it, it was, it was a really fueled rocket ship of everything. Just kind of like at one moment for what people were loving and it's been a crazy journey in a year, man. Sure. 3 (28m 58s): Wow. Okay. So once on the run hits and it's doing well on, on Tik TOK or Instagram where you put it and you know, people are coming to you is how do you get down to Nashville at this point? Or I'm sure managers, people are like, Hey, like what are you up to? Like you got this insane song, like what's going on? 5 (29m 17s): So the guy, the, my manager right now, Charlie Salvador give him a little shout out, love, loved the guy. He found me pretty early on, but we never were really so to speak official, if you want to say that, but we had this gentleman's agreement kind of bond type of thing. And you know, he kind of took me under his wing and I trusted him and took his lead and kind of like an uncle father figure whenever I would travel back and forth between Nashville and Pennsylvania to come down here. And, you know, he was just like, Hey, I know you're a college student and you're not trying to do this, but I love what you're doing. And I would just love to talk to your family and get to know them and kind of bring them into the loop of what the music industry is like, what do you see yourself moving down here one day? 5 (30m 6s): Do you just want to do the back and forth? Like, so all these other things, because the music industry was so foreign to us, we had no idea what it was, no one was ever in it and our family. So it takes me under his wing. And, you know, we, he uses, you know, his connections and, you know, I, I got to these cool places to meet some amazing people and right with some incredible people and just, you know, do a little interfacing and which was just somewhat surface level because it was super early on. And I was just like, Hey, like I want to get to know you. And I just want to kind of learn this industry. And so my first song I ever wrote was actually from my manager's guest bedroom on a zoom call and was with Eric Paslay and Rob Crosby. 3 (30m 56s): That's crazy over zoom. So this must've been what, 2020, or 5 (31m 4s): I'm trying to think. Yeah. I'm trying to think when we wrote it, it was, might've been like three, four months after on the run came out, something like that. Yeah. That's how, 3 (31m 17s): Wow. Yeah. So you, I mean, now you've got a handful of songs about the most recent one, burn it down. I want to hear about that song and then we can talk about the EPA. That's cool as well. 5 (31m 30s): Oh yeah, dude. Yeah. I didn't know if you knew about it, but yeah. Yep. 3 (31m 35s): I knew about it. And again, if someone needs to, if PR needs to come in and tell me to shut up and cut it out, then we'll cut it out. But it's on your Spotify that it's called 7 1 7 tapes. It's in brackets. I don't know if maybe people will put that together anyway, let's hear about burn it down. 5 (31m 56s): So I'm burnt it down. I wrote that, you know, I wrote that in the, the great thing about music is, is it can be interpreted in many different ways. And that song, you know, with it's alongside outlaw country, rock vibes. And, you know, I kind of have a background in that world where I was raised up by my father, listened to Motley Crue, ACDC, quiet riots, skid row. Like those were things that I was, and then my mom loves country music. So there's definitely that in Christian music involved and the lyrics and what I say rings true to what I was raised on when it comes to my and burn it down was that song really that day when I came into that room and, you know, we were just kind of sitting around, hanging out and I got to meet some new writers and stuff. 5 (32m 49s): And I was with the guy who Eric Dylan's on there. And he's a super cool guy and he's worked with rally green and stuff. So super genuine guy. But the context for that song, really the vein I wrote it in is like, I kind of, I kind of am an outsider. You know, what I'm doing is a little bit different in a, in a, in, in my own way than what. And I think that's what makes it an artist unique, you know, a different, but yet having tastes and flavors from inspiration that I have, obviously just making it my own. So in the context of the song, I wrote it primarily like, Hey, I'm coming. 5 (33m 32s): Whether you want me to, or not love me or hate me, I'm going to do me. 6 (33m 37s): The minutes could save you 15% or more. Wait a minute. I've heard that before. That's the no Jeremy wrote to me in my year book in the sixth grade. How'd you even know that because it's from Geico, wait, here it is. Dear Luke have a great summer PS, 15 minutes could save you 15% or more loved Jeremy. Geico's had this tagline for years cause we helped save people money. So wait, you're saying Jeremy copy deal. Yeah, that actually does sound like something in the gym and do Geico 15 minutes could save you 15% or more. 5 (34m 7s): And I'm going to stand up for what I believe in. And this is who I am and I'm here to stir up the town a little bit. So love Nashville, not trying to burst anybody's bubbles, but I, you know, it was, it was my way of saying I'm here to make a statement and you know, and, and, and I'm confident in who I am and what I do. And I'm confident in my artistry. And I'm confident in my fans who, who have my backs in are, you know, with me and we're in this together. 3 (34m 35s): I love that. And that's what a good, what a great message. Cause I think that I definitely lack confidence. I think that's something that's really hard to attain and, you know, be able to push forward, especially in a town like national and being new to this whole song, writing, you know, industry thing that you're around, all these people that are everyone in this town is a songwriter involved in the industry. At some point, you know, it's crazy to, and then to be here and then kind of immerse yourself in it. What a, what a rad way to do that. 5 (35m 3s): Yeah. You know, I I'm, I'm always in the thing of go bigger, go home. And when I put that song out, it was in no regard to ever whatsoever, no bad mouth Nashville or hate on Nashville were obviously I come down here for a reason. I love Nashville. I love the talent down here. The people that I'm meeting. It's great. It was my way of saying here's who I am. I'm coming, coming here. Whether you want me or not. And I'm going to make a big statement because I got some people who believe in me and we're going to turn this town upside down in my way. Sure. 3 (35m 39s): No. And yeah, exactly. I was gonna, I was gonna say, you didn't come off. Like you were like, oh, but it's like one of those things where if you have to kind of make that statement here, right. Cause every, like, you know, you could go to any bar anywhere in Nashville. And he pretty much any time of day and somebody will be sitting on a stage playing something. It's, that's the beauty of this town, but it's also, you got to kind of make noise, right? You got to be like, Hey, I'm over here. 5 (36m 7s): You gotta, you gotta make noise. And you know, you got in a sense, kinda cut through some stuff. You gotta be like, Hey, like I'm here. There's no missing, no missing. 3 (36m 21s): Exactly. I love it. Well, real quick on the EAP then 7 1 7 tapes or is it 717 tapes? 5 (36m 28s): The 1 7, 7 1 7 area code. Yep. It's my area code. Okay. Yep. So the it's actually a pretty big area code, but the context behind it was, you know, early on people were like, oh, this guy's from the south, this guy's from Texas. Like the music he's making, like this is a Texas act. And I was like, I need to try to like hint to people that I'm not from down there. I'm actually from up north. So when people found that out, they're like, dude, this country needs from up north. And I think that there's a narrative that gets lost where it's like, oh, you know, you're not country. If you're not from the south, you know what I mean? 5 (37m 8s): You got out in Montana, you got out west, you got up like it's everywhere and I'm dealing today too, man. You know, whether you want to say it or not, but country is, it's not one thing it's, you know, it's kind of who you are. It's kind of, you know, raised up roots and kind of like things you believe in. And just, I think there's a narrative to where everyone's so quick to be like, that's not country, you're not country, all this kind of things. Today's world. And I'm like in a day, man, you do, you do what makes you happy? No sweat off my back. Sure. I love so. But the, the EAP from what you asked, yes. So 7 1 7 to eight. 5 (37m 48s): I released one. And so it downs out and then I'm releasing a new song called dark night, which my fans are loving and I'm super excited to release that it's coming out March 4th. And then I am working on finishing up my final songs in the selections. I've been posting snippets as I'm getting the ball rolling on, finishing up for a song called wild horse, which has really resonated with my fans. So that'll be a part of the EAP. And outside of that, I have to figure out what the other songs we'll be making some final decisions. But the goal is to get that out and that'll be 7 1 7 tapes, EAP volume two. 3 (38m 29s): I love that. I love that. You're so inclusive with your fans. Like you're, you're not afraid to be like, okay, here's a snippet, a song. Let's see like how people react to it. Because if they don't, you know, if they don't like it, then why, you know, you might not continue with it. Who knows? I mean, that sounds like it's like you have your own little focus group of people that you can kind of rely on to see what they, what they think. I like that. 5 (38m 52s): And that's, and that's the beauty and social media too. And the other thing is too, is that that gets lost in translation is, you know, focus group and the fans are able to call them for that mindset that you had. But you know, the, the outlook I have on too is obviously love my fans and I want to hear what their thoughts are on music. But the goal is to, is to get out there more and more and more and see what other audiences I can bring in and see what other people are thinking. And I think that's the power of what social media is. It's, it's continuing to grow and evolve and stretch your wings and just be like, Hey, you might not like it, which will probably turn around and might listen to it because you liked my music, but Hey, there's someone else who didn't know I was and then found it and was like, Hey, I love the song. 5 (39m 40s): Then they go and listen to my music and they're like, okay. And then become a fan. So yeah, man, I'm super excited, been working my tail off to make new music and now put out stuff that I'm proud of and I'm looking forward to it. 3 (39m 54s): I love it, man. I love what you're doing. Just I've one more question. After this statement, I want to make it's. Is it hard to wrap your head around the fact that like, if you look at a song, like ride the lightning and it has just on Spotify alone, 42 million plays like 40, that song has been played through 40, over nearly 43 million times. Like, that's just like, when I see numbers like this, my head is like, I can't even wrap my head around it. Like that's more people than, you know, that's like New York times. What for like, it's just crazy. Like every person, I don't know. 5 (40m 33s): It's, you know, it's, it's that mindset of celebrating, celebrating the wins with your fans. You can't lose sight of that. And you know, I was live last night on my socials and I said, the other day, I said, it's not even my song anymore. It's not, it's officially my fan song because for that many people to listen to it, they have built their own stories with the song. So it doesn't matter what my story is. It's about them and what, what they were doing when they first heard it, what they associate the song with. So for me really seeing that it's like, wow, cause we just, I'm still waiting for it to be a fish. 5 (41m 19s): Really? Are I AA? I think that's still on the fence. I don't know because it takes a little bit of time, but 3 (41m 27s): It is dude, 5 (41m 30s): Ah, it's gold. It's a gold record. 3 (41m 34s): Incredible man. 5 (41m 35s): Hearing that and obviously telling you the story behind it and know it being the first song that I ever Nashville it's, it's a cool feeling to have, but yeah, you know, it's, it's celebrating the wins, but it's, it's, it's not being satisfied. It's always being hungry. I guess I would say it's always about the next song it's always about, okay, here's this message. Here's this song, you guys have loved this. How can I make something else that I'm feeling that I'm thinking that I want to write and have you guys resonate with another thing? You know what I mean? That, that's how I feel like. Cause I mean, I'm a consumer too. 5 (42m 17s): I'm a consumer, I'm a fan, you know, like whatever you want to call me, I love other artists. So I'm always like, dude love this song. I'm going to drill it into the earth for six months. And then I'm like, okay, what's your next thing coming out? So I kind of think, no, I think I have that mindset of like, okay, I have this awesome song and that's why I'm developing, developing this other EAP. And they're putting out more stuff to give people to be, you know, happy with and you know, sad with and fill your emotions and you know, have more stuff to listen to. So 3 (42m 45s): That's incredible. Incredible Warren. I appreciate your time, man. I have one more quick question. I want to know if you have any advice for aspiring artists 5 (42m 53s): Advice for aspiring artists. I would say the biggest piece of advice I can give you, whether you find it useful or not stay true to who you are because at the end of the day, the one thing that I'm super happy with is that I get to wake up and know that I'm doing what I love. I'm making the music that I love and I'm not being pushed or swayed into directions that I don't want to go. I would say, stay, open-minded keep your eyes open and have a close group of people who you trust. So opinions, but at the end of the day, make the music you love and continue to do that. 5 (43m 33s): And you'll find happiness and happiness in that. Because if you're making something you don't like and you find yourself falling away from kind of what got you there or whatever position you're in, just stay true to who you are. That's the best advice I can get it.