Words are invented to express an emotion, but emotions are very complex and they’re very differently between people. “I think stories are the best way to transmit an emotion, because language is flawed. That’s an interesting way to talk about missing somebody.” If I listen to your songs, I get the idea you really like visual lyrics. Everyone goes through the same things, for example heartbreak, but I think that what makes a song unique is someone’s perspective on it.ĭo you know Still Feel Like Your Man by John Mayer? He says: ‘I still keep your shampoo in my shower. I like artists who write their own music and I have an interesting perspective on what they are experiencing. “Songwriters like John Mayer, Eminem and Jason Mraz.
“100%.” What songwriters or artists do inspire you? I see things happen and then I channel it through a song.” To what extent are your songs autobiographical? It mostly comes from a feeling or observation. “My inspiration comes from random thoughts and things. The content of what I have to say, is what it’s all about.” Where do you find the inspiration for your music? I only use music as a vehicle to express my feelings. Interestingly enough, music is less important to me than words. What role does music play in your life?Īlec Benjamin: “Music means pretty much everything to me. We talked about his favourite John Mayer lyric, why he’s no longer looking for happiness in life, and answered my burning question: what is his newest single Jesus In LA really about?Īlec, thanks for having a chat with me. And that’s going well! He’s found a new label to work with, gathered a fan base online and his honest breakup song Let Me Down Slowly became his big breakthrough.ĭuring his Euro-tour I spoke with him before his sold-out show in Paradiso, Amsterdam. Alec kept going, won his first fans over by giving shows at parking lots of Shawn Mendes and Troye Sivan concerts and kept on writing music with an ambitious goal: to conquer the world with his personal, authentic lyrics. The American singer-songwriter landed himself a record deal when he was 18, but was dropped by his label a day after the release of his debut album. A narrator, that’s what Alec Benjamin is.