We at THP love when artists breathe new life into a song we already adore with a remix or live acoustic version, and Jay Alan is the latest to reimagine one of his hits! He just dropped an acoustic session for his emotive single ‘Got Feelings’ and it’s making us fall even deeper in love with this amazing song. It was already a vulnerable, raw track about falling for someone you’re close to, but the acoustic version really lets the lyrics stand out and tug at our heartstrings.
I wanted to capture the moment where someone is about to confess their feelings to a best friend. In the bridge I wrote, ‘we could take this to the altar, or I could take it to the grave’…when love is introduced to a relationship, there are really only two ways it will end. ‘Got Feelings’ is my cheeky interpretation of that inner monologue.
Jay Alan
In celebration of this breathtaking session, we got to ask Jay all about ‘Got Feelings,’ his creative process, and more! So press play and get ready to dive into his thoughts with us. Also, get ready to add ‘Got Feelings’ to every playlist on your Spotify. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Can you tell us a little bit about ‘Got Feelings?’ How did that song come about? Is it meant to be a general relatable track or is there some personal experience behind it?
‘Got Feelings’ was actually pitched to me by my producer, Travis Heidelman. He showed me his ideas for the first verse and chorus, and I immediately fell in love! We really felt like this was the lead single of the EP, so it was definitely meant to be more generally relatable than some of the other tracks.
How did you know that ‘Got Feelings’ needed an acoustic performance? Are there any other tracks of yours that you want to turn acoustic?
‘Got Feelings’ has almost 200 tracks in its session—the biggest Travis or I have worked on—and we wanted to showcase the lyrics and melodies by stripping it down. We firmly believe that production should enhance a song instead of relying on it, and it was so fun to hear the contrast between the acoustic performance and the master. I recently released another acoustic session of my song ‘Something Slow to Dance To,’ and I have one more video coming out in the next month!
If you had to describe your music in one sentence or phrase, what would you say?
I would say my music is vulnerable and vivid, paired with colorful dream pop aesthetics!
Did you ever imagine when you were younger that you would hit the level of success in the music industry that you’ve achieved so far? What would you tell your younger self?
I always knew I’d make it somehow, but I honestly didn’t imagine I’d be where I am now. I’d tell my younger self to just enjoy the journey more; I’ve wasted so much time worrying about my career, especially when I was growing up in Indiana, and it’s not worth it. Success isn’t always linear. Trust the process.
‘Got Feelings,’ especially the bridge when it’s acoustic, is a pretty vulnerable track, was it scary putting that out there for people to hear? Overall, how did it feel to have your music out there in the world?
I’ve been releasing music since 2019, so it’s not scary anymore. A big part of my music and my brand is vulnerability, and I enjoy writing songs about real emotions. I think it’s such an honor and a gift to be a storyteller, and it’s just really fulfilling to be pursuing my dreams.
You rose to fame through YouTube covers and eventually the release of your track ‘Cold.’ Wow would you say that social media like YouTube or even TikTok has impacted the way artists release music? Do you think your own releases would be different if you used a platform other than YouTube?
I’d say it has impacted the industry astronomically, especially since TikTok became popular. I started posting covers on YouTube back in 2015 because I wanted to get my voice heard, but now it’s even easier to go viral on TikTok. They’ve kind of put the industry in a chokehold because that’s where the fans are right now, and it’s hard to get your foot in the door without it. For these acoustic live sessions, I wanted to reconnect with my audience on YouTube because I hadn’t posted in years. I didn’t necessarily expect to get lots of views, but that’s where I started and it’s cool to see how far I’ve come.
We think that it’s wonderful that you want to expand the space for LGBTQ+ people and make them feel loved and accepted. Is there anything in particular you hope that your fans take away from your music or even just your presence as an artist in this industry?
I think just being able to see and feel my presence in the industry is the most important thing. I know there’s a lot more queer representation today than there was when I was younger, but I feel like it’s my responsibility to be that representation now. Even if I can be just a little part in helping someone accept their sexuality, or celebrate who they are, everyone deserves to be authentically themself.
Who are some artists you’ve had on repeat lately that you absolutely think everyone needs to listen to? We love sharing new artists here at THP!
Maggie Rogers just made her return to music with single ‘That’s Where I Am’ and I can’t wait to hear the whole album! I’ve also been obsessed with Sigrid’s ‘It Gets Dark’ and MUNA’s ‘Anything But Me’ singles. Spring is my favorite season for music releases because holiday season is over and everything sounds so fresh.
What’s one major career goal you want to achieve in the next couple of years?
Besides getting signed to a major label, I really want to headline an international tour. I’m a little rusty still because of Covid, but I opened for EVAN GIIA last fall and am opening for Alec Benjamin next month, and I’d even love to tour as an opener for a major artist!
What’s your favorite part of the musical process? Where do you like to draw inspiration from?
That’s tough. At first I wanted to say the writing process, but I think it’s actually hearing the song come to life in the studio. Getting that first mix back is a little daunting because you want to like it, but it’s cool to see how it evolves over time. I draw inspiration from my own experiences, as well as from the people around me. Something as small as a text or a passing conversation could inspire a song, but it really just depends on how I feel when I start writing. Sometimes a random chord progression could be enough to get my gears running.
Is there anything you can tell us about your upcoming projects?
I don’t have any specific plans for my next project, but I know I’d love to release another EP before I graduate. I’m getting back into sessions and writing mode, and hopefully will start recording again by summer! Another goal of mine is to release a couple music videos from my debut EP, Play Pretend, so keep an eye out for those!
We’ll definitely be keeping an eye and ear out for more captivating music from Jay Alan! What do you think of ‘Got Feelings’ and the acoustic version? Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! And if you want more Jay content, we gotchu – check out our March 2022 interview with him right here.
