STRUAN
STRUAN is a go-to name to look out for in the future of indie pop. Since 2018, he’s been releasing a series of singles that have gained international attention. His most recent release “Over You” has earned the artist over 27 thousand Spotify streams. His 2020 EP No One Knows You Better featured some of his most popular and acclaimed music, with “Elizabeth” and “Better” being his most successful. STRUAN has a pure indie pop sound, a style that has given him over 6K monthly listeners as well as a devoted fanbase. He only hopes to continue making his mark on the music industry in 2020. We recently spoke with STRUAN about his dream collab, the future of his career (including a second EP coming soon), and more!
How did you get started making music?
I always listened to good music because of my older brothers. My immediate older brother is a drummer and I saw his band play a Battle of the Bands and thought they were just the coolest. I wanted to be in a band with him so I learned guitar. He wasn’t interested (totally fair—I was terrible). I ended up being in a band with some friends and writing all the songs with my friend David Pavluk. We still work together some whenever I’m in LA. We wrote two songs on this upcoming EP.
If you could insert one of your songs into an iconic scene from any movie or TV show, which are you picking and for what scene?
First of all, you win for best question with this one. I would hands down choose a coming of age movie or show (“Kings of Summer”, “Hot Summer Nights”, “Sing Street”, “Friday Night Lights”). If I had to pick, I’d probably choose that scene from “Perks of Being a Wall Flower” where they’re riding through the tunnel. I could have sworn they were playing “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House, but I just looked it up and apparently it was “Heroes” by David Bowie…who knew?
You’ve recently landed yourself a spot on the Spotify “Fresh Finds” playlist for your song “Over You.” What went into writing the song?
“Over You” came while I was in a phase of running away from the fallout and all the friends I felt I’d lost through a break-up. I was on a layover in New York on my way to London and found myself literally stumbling through Manhattan with a buddy from high school and I remember thinking, “what the hell am I doing? I’m way too drunk, and I’m not having any fun right now.” I had that chorus for a few months prior to all that. I was on a rooftop writing with my friend Oren in LA and he was playing those chords and the pre-chorus and chorus came out whole. It felt really cathartic, but I didn’t know what it was about. I think subconsciously it was me realizing I had to end things.
Who’s your dream choice for a collab?
If we’re going more modern I think something with Lennon Stella or LÉON would be magical. If we’re talking icons who I look up to—Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Brandon Flowers.
What’s your advice for someone who wants to try out a career in music?
Write about what comes naturally to you and what you care about. If you think about deep, political, or philosophical questions all day write about that (not me). If you think about calling your ex, trying to escape your problems with partying, or more “superficial” things, write about that (me). The subject matter doesn’t create good art. The execution and sincerity does. If you don’t feel it in your soul, nobody else will. There’s an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote on that that changed my life and gave me what felt like “permission” to be myself.
What’s in the works for STRUAN?
“Over You” is the first single off of my second EP that I’ll be rolling out song by song over the next few months (Newest song “Distance” is out now!). I love every one of them and I think this project keeps getting better. It’s really a reflection of who I am and who I’ve become in my twenties. During the first part of quarantine, I found myself with a canceled tour and ended up writing a ton. I’ve started recording the EP to follow this one as well. I think I’m really finding my lane and coming into my own as an artist and writer.
