Still Woozy’s Music Brings Out the Softness in Everyone

Cover Story

Feb 7, 2023 @ 10:00 am By Shirley Reynozo

Still Woozy, is an American singer and songwriter from Oakland, California. Growing up in Moraga, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, he began recording his own music at the age of 13; 17 years later Still Woozy transcends the music world through his indie pop and bedroom pop tunes. Perfect for long drives or being a lone wold in your bedroom, the audio waves bring out the softness in anyone. Here at Galore we had the pleasure of interviewing Still Woozy on how Oakland influences his sound, his song writing process, favorite projects, astrology and more!

FEATURE INTERVIEW

For those of us that dont know you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How has being from Oakland informed your sound?

The Bay Area didn’t necessarily shape my sound, at least in a direct way, beyond being the place I spent my childhood and formative years. There’s a great lineage of Bay Area artists who I have a lot of respect for, but the two things that have influenced my sound the most are the internet and the Santa Cruz house show scene. I always felt a bit isolated geographically in pursing the kind of music I wanted, but the internet showed me all the weird and creative music that was happening in other pockets of the world. In the beginning it was Soundcloud and YouTube. Rewind a couple years, I had just left the Bay Area to study at UCSC where I met what turned out to be lifelong friends who started a band with me. We were playing math rock in these dingy and sweaty house shows all over SC. It was the kind of environment where you had 50 to 100 kids all packed into tiny rooms to watch a bunch of bands and there was no separation between the players and the crowd. Nothing could phase you; The crowd could surge and knock the mic over (or knock you over) but you would keep going. I love that energy.

What is some advice you would give to a new artist unsure how to navigate the industry?

I think the best thing a new artist can do is to focus on the music first. Create something that feels authentic to you and then work your ass off at perfecting it. The industry is too huge of a beast to try to manipulate and is a bit soul sucking. Social media has allowed for people to launch careers without trying to land huge deals anyways. Preserve the energy you have because that’s the most precious resource to an artist.

You have a gift of being a singer- songwriter. As a musician you fuse together genres such as Indie Pop & Bedroom Pop. Apart from synthesizing these different rhythms, how do you feel you set yourself apart from other artists?

The labels of genre can be limiting and I’ve never fully associated myself with a particular scene or sound. I think I’m kind of in my own bubble, for better or worse. The music choices I make are made more in isolation than in step with a scene, which is ultimately going to make for a more idiosyncratic sound, but I’ve also really loved collaborating with artists who exist in a similar space as me, like Remi Wolf and The Marias.

What is your song writing process? What are some of your favorite effects to add to your voice (i.e. reverb, distortion, delay)?

I don’t have a set song writing process, it just has to start with inspiration of some kind. It could start with a piano progression, a guitar riff, or even drum production. I don’t use many effects on my vocals, but I do usually record the same melody twice and position them on either side of your head to give it a more spacious feel.

What are three songs or projects you’re currently listening to that you can’t stop playing?

Eventually – Tame Impala
Forever (singe version) – The Little Dippers
500 miles – Peter, Paul, and Mary

If you could collaborate on a track with one of your favorite artists, who would it be?

It would be probably be Tame Impala, but for the moment I’m just enjoying creating on my own. Collaborations rarely sound good to me haha. A lot of the time it feels like each artist was watered down in the attempt to make space for both.

What’s one city you haven’t performed in that you look forward to performing at in the future?

We’ve never played shows in Asia before so I am really looking forward to that. Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul seem amazing in addition to a handful of others. There is a lot of cool art coming out of South Korea that I’m inspired by, especially when it comes to film and TV — I loved Squid Game, and I’m a big fan of the director Na Hong-jin, so I’m excited to make the trip out there at some point.

You are a Cancer, do you think astrology influences your personality and artistry?

I don’t know much about star signs. But my partner would probably say I’m sensitive because I’m a Cancer haha.

What did you hope to accomplish before turning 30? What are some new goals you aim to conquer?

Well I definitely wanted to launch my career as a musician and I feel like I did that I am proud of myself for accomplishing a lifelong dream. New goals? Make art I love and love the people in my life.

What do you have in store for 2023?

A new album! I have too many songs I’ve written in the past year and a half. Now I need to trim it down and finish it all. Finishing is probably the hardest thing about being an artist. Letting your babies go is not easy haha