Get comfortably seated and be ready to read an interview that will raise your curiosity and interest with each answer. We got to chat with country artist Brian Falduto about his music, interests, inner thoughts, and more. Not only did we learn more about the person behind the music, but we also got the chance to hear some good advice that we think all of our readers will like and appreciate.
Along with this interview, we’ll also be introducing you to Brian’s single ‘Just a Phase,’ a heart-touching, relatable song that we have been obsessed with. The lyrics will simply grab you and stay with you even after the song is over. And, we’re so excited knowing a new music piece is on its way. Mark the date, February 9, because that is when ‘ONE MORE’ is coming out, and trust us, this one is to dance for.
Welcome to The Honey POP! We are so excited to talk to you. Let’s start with a little introduction to your latest release ‘Just a Phase.’ If you can use 3 words to describe it, what would they be?
Hi! Thank you! Okay! .. 90’s, moody, heartbreak.
Now, a similar question. What would you say about yourself and your music, to pique people’s interest in checking out your work, if they haven’t already?
My music takes the sounds and styles of the country music I grew up with but infuses them with my life story, which is inevitably queer, and so allows me to sort of revolutionize those sounds and styles for both myself and others like me. At its core, it’s honest country music that I hope allows queer people to feel more included.
‘Just a Phase’ is such a good and emotional song. How did writing the song and seeing it come to life feel?
‘Just a Phase’ was actually one of the first songs I ever wrote. I wasn’t planning on showing it to anyone ever, nevermind releasing it. But I’m a performer at heart and eventually, I sat on it long enough that I decided to share it with a trusted friend .. then another, and so on and so on. Through sharing it, I came to realize it was good in that it tells a relatable story nicely and people could vibe to it. I haven’t released it until now because I was struggling to get the production right. It required a different aesthetic than the songs packaged on my album. It finally found its home in a new producer friend of mine Brett Castro, who really understood what I was going for with this one. He crushed it!
“You know the moon never actually changes, we just take what we can see and we call it phases.” Do you think some things can be labeled as “just a phase,” or is it as the lyrics say it: it’s there but we don’t pay enough attention to realize it?
Aw, thanks for picking up on my favorite lyric! I think the line points to the nuances of relationships – and I guess life – more than anything else. An entire relationship can’t be boiled down to the three words, “just a phase.” I don’t believe that the year and a half my ex and I spent together, during which we came out together, was that for either of us. The concept of the moon’s phases developed because it was a digestible way of understanding the otherwise unexplainable complexity of the universe. My ex referred to us as “just a phase” because it was a digestible way of processing the otherwise unexplainable complexity of all that we went through together.
You are currently working on new music and ready to challenge yourself. Is there a hint you can give us as to what we can expect in your next project?
My next project is meant to be an extension of what I’ve done previously while gently nudging my listeners toward what else they can expect in the future. Country music is my jam but country music is also an umbrella term at this point and I don’t want to limit myself to one lane beneath that umbrella.
We heard that you also do coaching. Are there similarities for you, between that and creating music? Like a message you want to relay or the process for them.
Absolutely. Love that question, by the way, because I actually think there’s major similarities that people may not realize. I’m a mental health coach and psychology is a science but it’s also an art. My job as both an artist and a coach is to understand the human condition. With my own art, the focus is often internally on myself. With coaching, the focus is external on others.
We learned that you went through questioning your queer awakening due to circumstances. What would you advise others who might be going through the same?
I’d probably share a mantra I try to live by which is, “Discover, don’t evaluate.” If you’re questioning your queer awakening, you’re probably evaluating your experience instead of just discovering. Think of life like one long meditation. When you’re meditating, you’re just supposed to notice thinking as it occurs without questioning or judging, or examining the thought. If you notice something about your sexuality, let that noticing be enough. It doesn’t need to be questioned or judged or examined. Of course, as with meditation, this is very hard to do because we’re not wired that way, but it’s an important practice nonetheless.
Because we love learning more about artists and their own interests, could you share a song or an artist that you have been listening to a lot lately, and is there a reason for that?
I can’t stop listening to Kelsea Ballerini’s now Grammy-nominated project, Rolling Up The Welcome Mat. It’s just such a raw and beautiful reflection on a relationship. It’s also country music, but it doesn’t follow the traditional rules of country music, which I love and find very inspiring.
On a similar note, other than music, what are some of your other hobbies?
Long walks, travel, reading, spending time with my partner &/or friends.. I’m an old soul! Lately, I’ve been getting more into cooking, which I never really saw for myself, but here I am.
Do you have any goals for 2024?
I have some ongoing creative, career, and educational goals, yes. But I don’t really base them on the calendar year. I have been saying I want to get my music onto a Spotify editorial playlist in the new year, so let’s go with that!
We hear you’re a very outspoken and optimistic person. As our last question for you, could you say something to your current and future fans who might be feeling a bit down, and need a little positivity in their lives?
Coming to you from the midst of my own seasonal depression kicking in, I’d just encourage people to try to remain open and to really engage in self-care practices that are going to allow for that. If you’re feeling down, let that be what is for today. When we keep our doors open, emotions can come and go. If we shut them out, they keep knocking. It can be tempting to put our defenses up and resist the tough days, but when we do that, we’re sort of resisting our human nature. We are, after all, a part of nature and we wouldn’t say it should be sunny when it’s raining so we shouldn’t react that way to our internal weather either.
Did you like our interview with Brian Falduto? Have we convinced you he’s not ‘Just a Phase?’ We know we certainly did enjoy every single one of his answers, and we’re even bigger fans than when we started the interview. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment or dropping by at @thehoneypop, Facebook, and Instagram.
We’ve got more interviews for you that we have a feeling you’d like.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BRIAN FALDUTO:
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