If you are searching for an airy song to lift you into the skies then, Bad Bubble just released the perfect track for you- In Whatever. The track is a hot air balloon of a track that truly fills your chest with a lung full of soul and another full of rhythm. From then on he takes you on a slow cruise full of mystic wonder and techno-colored journey. The singer-songwriter already has 160 songs under his belt, don’t be surprised with his immaculate musical sensibilities. Here is what Bad Bubble had to say about his latest release.
Stimulus For Bad Bubble
Congratulations on your new song release. It’s always nice to see a labor of love run out into the world. So was this number a laborious one or it just came to you? Tell us what inspired you.
Well thank you very much and thank you for having me.
In Whatever is a song which was written as a personal song for me. However, it turned out to be one which apparently is relatable. I have things set up where music comes as easy as possible. I’ve never had an issue with coming up with what to write about, even as a teenager. But it wasn’t until I had experienced life where I found music simply had to be written. It was my only modem. That said, I set my studio up in a custom way to make the faucet turn on easier. What I mean is, I have all my gear (I use analog hardware only, no software) set up to bring out optimal results. This way, I’m not wasting time with unnecessary adjustments and last minute switches.
The inspiration came from Underscore. Underscore is my late daughter’s mother. I purposefully used flowers all throughout the video to enhance the references to Fall being either late or extremely early. This way nothing can grow. In this case, what could not grow was love. This is what I believe people are relating to.
The Tipping Point
There is an otherworldly nature to the track, everything, from the lyrics to the sounds runs around this theme. What was the writing process?
In Whatever was on a 2 song short list of songs to be the album flagship single. I ended up choosing Alone to carry the album flag. That said, it was a very tough decision. In Whatever has the same sense of loneliness as Alone. Both tracks are a lot alike. Same subject, same piano base, same vocal harmony. Yet totally different in its ability to inspire the feeling of loneliness and nostalgia I wished to encapsulate. I released Alone first, and In Whatever last. Both great book ends for All My Friends, album 5. I’m happy both resonated so well.
The songwriting process was clean. It came very quickly. In Whatever was written November 11, 2021. It was released on November 11, 2023. Yes, that was intentional…lol. With most of what was going on at that time, I was writing furiously and songs were literally pouring out. I couldn’t stop. The most challenging was getting the vocals done right and making sure it was full. Lyrically, In Whatever is actually from a poem which relates love with agriculture in regards to season change. Bad weather is a bad crop. I just had a bad crop…
The Inspirations
I sense multiple influences in the song in terms of genres, with an almost classical Indian touch to it as well. What is the history behind so many influences in your songs? Who were your inspirations in general?
This comes as a surprise to most but I do not listen to music. I was speaking about this last night with someone close to me. I asked if the entire time she knew me, had she ever heard me play music. She said, “no”. I do however draw influence, just in a non-traditional way. I draw my influence from people who work hard and never quit. Ever. Whether they be a musician or anything else. For this particular track, I would also be remiss if I did not include my mother. She was the best piano player I’ve ever heard.
She was untouchable. I’ve never seen or heard anything like her back then and since. Which is a bold statement, indeed. When I was a kid and people were over to the house we lived in, she would begin to play and all conversations would stop. Those who had heard her before would tell those who had not, “wait…watch this”. All conversations would cease to exist and she would quite literally captivate people in every sense of the word. She was a remarkable pianist, She would rarely play covers. The writing was her own and she played her own world she had inside her head to those fortunate enough to witness. In Whatever is a “wink and a nod” to her…
The Solo Road For Bad Bubble
Everything is in a state of flux in the universe and art needs the perfect ecosystem to bloom. It could be the perfect home, the perfect heartbreak or even the perfect betrayal. Either way, there are multiple moments when there is a tipping point and something emerges from deep within. And this song feels exactly like this feeling, a tipping point of sorts. You don’t know when the song begins and ends, you don’t know where you begin and it ends.
You say you’re a fiercely independent artist, has that ever been challenged through collaborations? Name two artists you would want to collaborate with, dead or alive.
I have yet to collaborate with anyone as Bad Bubble. Before BB, I was in bands. Let’s just say I am having the time of my life as an independent, solo artist. I’m not against the idea, it’s just I don’t use software and it makes it a little complicated when doing things.
Two artists dead or alive to collaborate with. That’s easy. Prince and Huey Lewis. If all three of us could collaborate it would be even better. That would be a interesting day… In Whatever is a very interesting track, what does this release mean and symbolize to you? In retrospect, it was a personal poem about my daughter’s family. Now it’s become a little more. I would have never guessed a song about a specific thing could resonate like it has. That said, I hope that as time goes on, I can gain clarity and peace with the situation. Fall may come early, but it will come. I need to learn that.
The Hearts That Have Been Touched
How has the audience’s reaction been so far? Is there a story that you’re comfortable sharing?
The other day, I became friends with an artist who out of nowhere, reached out and got in touch with me to compliment the song. I had heard of her and had also listened to a track of hers on YouTube. It was completely out of left field as I was having a worse-than-usual day. She came along and brightened it. I needed that. Just goes to show when you’re down, indie will come along and pull you up. Seems to happen every time.
We know that you are a wordsmith who works hard, After 160 songs in a little over 2 years, when is your next track release and is there a tour that we can look forward to?
In Whatever was the last song on the album so now I gather them and re-release them all under an album, All My Friends which is out November 30. The order is important on this one. After that, I have a Christmas present for everyone on Christmas Day…I think everyone will like it. It’s one I’ve been saving back.
In Whatever would work so well in Blue Ruin. This film is less known to the world out there and will most definitely keep you on the edge of your seat up until the very end. If you didn’t get it from this exchange In Whatever and Bad Bubble deserves all the attention and more, I am telling you now. Bad Bubble will be the farmer that will sow the seeds of the future for the Indie Music community. So I highly suggest you click on the links above and give this man and his art the attention it needs!