Columbus, Ohio based multi-instrumentalist Henry Blaeser is a man of many talents — a drummer, a DJ, a vocalist, and a keyboardist. It goes without saying that the 25-year-old certainly has his hands full. However, his busy schedule didn’t restrict him from wanting more out of his creative endeavors. It’s with that perseverance and drive that he crafted his mesmerizing debut single, “Of Love.”
That’s why we were particularly stoked when Blaeser agreed to speak with us in anticipation of his debut. Read on to uncover insights into Blaeser’s creative process and lyrical prowess.
DN: Can you tell us a bit about how you first got into creating music?
I played music for years - but it wasn’t until joining original music projects that the hunger to create started to get real. Getting a laptop in college was another obvious pivotal moment for my creative outlets. In about a six-year span, I was involved in projects Turtle Island, Montezuma, Mungbean, Lowlights & La Poré (in about that order) as either drummer, keyboardist, background vocalist, or producer, before ultimately breaking off on my own.
DN: Why did you decide to embark on a solo endeavor?
Throughout those years, I would only be dabbling in my own tunes while I could, as the previously mentioned projects took priority. I noticed a recurring theme in myself as being extremely opinionated, & constantly tangled in common/cliche creative arguments with my friends. I felt it only made sense to part ways & let everyone’s ideas flourish. It’s hard to do when you love what they’ve got going on, but I always knew I’d regret not making time for my own tunes.
DN: What attracted you to soul specifically?
“Of Love” is definitely influenced by soul/R&B vocal styles! Interweaving lots of vocal layers has been crucial in my creative process as of late. Hopefully you’ll hear more soon!
DN: Who are some artists you admire?
A question very difficult to answer shortly. Hah. I think my stuff specifically is inspired by eclectic, experimental, but pop-leaning artists like Grimes (Art Angels specifically) or The 1975. But “Of Love” definitely doesn't sound like either. My favorite comparisons I’ve gotten for this one have been maybe James Blake or Jai Paul. Also, when I recorded “Of Love” in November, I remember listening to a lot of D’Angelo’s “Voodoo” & some Anderson .Paak.
DN: How did you decide on the title “Of Love” for the single?
The track was started by chopping up a pre-existing track, & rhythmically resampling the track so it sounded like the original vocalist was saying “Of” & “Love”. I wrote the lyrics around that concept.
DN: What was the songwriting process like?
I got real lucky with this one. It was a rare instance of strong ideas flowing intuitively in my process. The vocal melodies & lyrics essentially spilled out, so it was only recorded within a day or two. I also think the ease of creation I found correlates to its listenability.
DN: What inspired the lyrics?
So many things. I wrote them in more of a “stream of consciousness” state, piecing together many different specific issues I’ve faced in relationships & friendships over the last year. For example: One instance about lacking the guts to tell someone you don’t like them, another about an insult I have received. See what you can find!
DN: Tell us about this particularly interesting line: “I could be your mirror / reflecting your versions of me.”
That line definitely carries some weight! From one angle, I think it observes an idea that all of your perceptions of others may unfortunately just trace back to you at the end of the day, creating so many things about partners or friends that you may never truly understand. As a lot of us struggle to connect & be genuine with other people, I think this may be something to consider.
You can stream the utterly gripping and beautifully raw “Of Love” below, exclusively on Double Negative.
