After dropping Lucid Dream, FLY talked with us about his creative process, working with Memory Palace, and more!
This year is quickly shaping up to be an amazing one for rising bass artist FLY. Building off his incredible momentum from 2023, it was obvious that he’s something special, which even landed him on our 2024 artists to watch list.
Earlier this week, FLY released his latest EP, Lucid Dream on Memory Palace, proving he’s not afraid to explore new boundaries. The expressions shared in Lucid Dream project a dreamscape of sounds that transports listeners to a brief escape from reality, especially on “Synesthesia” and the title track.
It’s clear that the energy FLY adds to the music scene is unlike any other. His gravitational pull grows stronger by the day. Fans have fallen in love with how his impressive range extends from deep, intentional reflection to hyphy, rap-inspired flips. On top of his obvious musical talent, FLY is never afraid to express himself in dance while on stage, creating a heightened and unique experience for attendees during each set.
After the release of Lucid Dream, we thought it would be the perfect time to chat further with FLY about the inspiration behind his EP, his experience working with Memory Palace, what he has up his sleeve next, and more. Check out his latest release on Spotify or your favorite platform, and read on to learn more about his project.
Stream FLY – Lucid Dream on Spotify:
Hey FLY, thanks for chatting with us!
Let’s start by discussing your most recent EP, Lucid Dream, which just dropped earlier this week on Memory Palace. It explores a few territories less traveled by you in the past. Can you explain where your creative process stemmed from this time around?
This EP provided a space for me to make music with different intentions, more aligned with an intimate listening environment rather than songs that translate in a larger live setting. Each of the tracks on the project focuses on different elements of human consciousness and distinct, visceral feelings that are often rare but very impactful. Things like a lucid dream, which feels just as real as a memory, or like nostalgia, a feeling that is quite distinct and can often bring up old memories that were once lost. These songs were a way for me to release a lot of emotional energy regarding life and death and transitions from different phases of life, which often include grief and happiness, all intertwined.
I love it when artists can play in the space between heavy and emotive, and I think the title track encapsulates just that. Is there a deeper meaning to this song than meets the eye?
I would say the title track sets the tone for the project since it includes many of the sonic spaces that the EP explores all in one. “Lucid Dream” also represents the space in which you are free to explore freely, with full consciousness. This is a very unique feeling as we are often unaware of our consciousness within dreams and these moments can teach us a lot about our subconscious.
Your track “Blink” with Player Dave paints a beautiful picture thanks to its celestial sounds. Do you two have other tracks in the works that listeners can look forward to?
Charlie and I are always writing music together. We have countless songs by now that will likely never be released, [Laughs] but that’s partly why I value our songs so much. We are very selective with what we decide to move forward with, and I feel like it’s allowed us to present a level of work that we’re both very proud of.
Over the last couple of years, you’ve released rap-influenced flips and mixes that your fan base could recognize as your signature sound. Do you ever get nervous about releasing tunes centered on your project’s gentler soundscapes, like “Synesthesia?”
Oh, not at all. Way before my flip mixes, I released songs that were chill and not geared toward live settings. Our community is always very receptive and open to hearing different types of music, which I’m very grateful for.
Sharing your art with the world is a vulnerable and intentional process, so I’m sure you were elated when your good friends at Memory Palace agreed to work with you on this EP. How would you describe the process of working with this label has been for you?
Working with Memory Palace was great because Tyler [Of The Trees] and I spoke about the idea before I wrote any of the songs. I was able to intentionally write something that I felt fit both of our visions, which helped me explore more emotive music that we both connected with.
On a more general level, what’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far? Have you been able to overcome it?
Recently, it’s been navigating different ways to be consistent with routines and healthy habits while touring and being on the road playing shows more. It’s something all creatives wrestle with and I also have had to figure out what works for me — it’s an ever-changing process. Luckily, I have a very supportive team around me that is constantly doing what they can to free up my mental space so I can focus on making art as much as possible.
Now that Lucid Dream has arrived for the world to hear, what’s next on the horizon for FLY?
l think it might be time to start thinking about my first album. I love putting out flips and more casual tunes, but it’s also inspirational to balance those releases with larger-scale projects that have more of an arc.
This last question is pretty serious so answer wisely. It’s no secret that you can bust a mean dance move on stage. If you could challenge one other artist to a dance-off, who would it be and why?
[Laughs] Would have to be Brio, I feel like bro took breakdancing in high school or something.
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