Interview: Alec Coiro
All Images Courtesy of Yung Heazy
Known initially for his viral sensation, “Cuz You’re My Girl,” Yung Heazy quickly backed it up with the accomplished and brand new LP, Whenever You’re Around I Hate Everything Less. It’s an album that delivers on the promise of “Cuz You’re My Girl” and then expands on it. A perfect example is the new track “Zugzwang” that Yung Heazy is premiering with us today.
Creating music primarily in the bedroom of his abode in Vancouver, Yung Heazy, aka Jordan Heaney, is currently on the road touring across the U.S. and Canada. We caught up with him between shows, and and he told us about traveling with sweaty duders. He also gives us insight into the experience of his first single blowing up, his influences and his musical style. Plus, if you aren’t able to catch him on tour, we also talk about how you can call him up on his cellphone. Read on for the interview.
You have a classic tale of a song that went viral with “Cuz You’re My Girl.” Can you take us through what the viral experience is like?
It’s really weird and exciting, I have a lot of people reach out to me and say crazy things or thank me for writing this song, and that’s surreal. Things are moving incredibly fast now, I mean I’m writing this from an Air BnB in Brooklyn because I’m on tour, because enough people listened to a song I wrote as a Valentine’s gift under a joke name. Hopefully I’ll be in Europe later this year which is insane to me. Honestly this whole thing is insane, I don’t think I’ve fully registered it yet.
If I’m not mistaken, we’re catching you while you’re on the road. How is the tour going?
Really really surprisingly very well. Traveling with 4 sweaty duders all across Canada and The States and we’re about halfway through so far. I’m actually eating so healthy, Adam our good friend and driver, brought a camp stove we’ve been cooking dank meals on. Visiting a new city almost every day is also a really cool experience. There’s going to be a lot of places in The States I’ve never been to before, really looking forward to it.
I’ve seen your music categorized as indie rock, and I can definitely see connections with the classics of the genre from the ’90s. But Yung Heazy also sounds really modern and new and has a particular personality. What do you think it is that makes your sound new and unique?
I don’t know man, I think i’m taking a lot of songwriting cues from The Beatles but also putting it all together on a computer in my bedroom which gives it a modern sound? There’s a whole new genre forming today with kids playing obscure jazz chords in a rock or rnb structure, that probably has a lot to do with it, It’s hard to say why a song gives you the vibe it does.
The other day someone asked me to play their prom, I think I lost his number but if you’re reading this please text me back and I’ll see what I can do.
As a follow up, I also wonder what bands you like and what artists shaped your sound?
Father John Misty, Ariel Pink, The Voidz, Tool, John Frusciante, Radiohead, Mac Demarco, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Arctic Monkeys, and Everett Bird off the top of my head, for this album at least that’s where I was drawing the most inspiration.
Have you had a lot fans of the “Cuz You’re My Girl” calling you on the cellphone?
Oh yea, I’ve had some pretty interesting people call in. As long as it’s not too late at night I like to have a good chat. The other day someone asked me to play their prom, I think I lost his number but if you’re reading this please text me back and I’ll see what I can do.
