BLAKE is an American musician artist crafting his sound where electronic music meets alternative hip-hop. His track «Lately» is a testament to his reach: what started as a SoundCloud upload for friends has now surpassed 7 million streams.
Blake, it's so great to have you here. Tell us about yourself! What's the first thing you'd want people all over the world to know about you?
— Thanks for having me! I’d want people to know that I’m someone who enjoys making music about going through life and the trials and tribulations of that - the highs and the lows. Also, I really enjoy going on walks to help clear the mind. I produce and release full tracks under BLAKE (terrible for SEO, I get it) and ambient instrumental music under somepoint.
What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
— I wanted to be an animator and work at Pixar so bad, and then quickly realized that the 2D hand-drawn animation style was falling out of fashion, and above all else, I couldn’t really draw like that. (Laughing).
Here's my traditional question: when and why did you decide to dedicate your life to music? What inspired you to take that step?
— For me, I don't think it was ever a truly conscious decision - from learning how to play guitar, to downloading my first DAW, making my first beat, recording my first vocals, etc - it's always been more of a compulsion and pursuit of making something on my own that I would want to listen to. If I can playback today’s session and feel inspired by it, then I did my job. And I love chasing that feeling.
To go a step further and publish the music is also extremely rewarding because now you’re sharing something that’s been in a vacuum, that’s meant so much to you these last few months, knowing that it might also mean something to the listener. And if that helps someone through a tough time, or is the soundtrack to a long drive or whatever, well then that's the cherry on top of it all.
How would you describe your music's genre, and why did you settle on this particular style?
— Sample-based, electronic, alternative hip-hop? I’ve always struggled finding a description that isn’t 100 adjectives, but I like to use a lot of samples when producing, usually add a little guitar to fill out some other frequencies, and been getting more into utilizing synths and pads also. Over time with repetition, your style will just come to the surface based on your sound selection and preferences.
I’d say the genre and style is always changing as I’m just trying to make music that sounds good to me. Though I had a good friend explain that «anything YOU make will almost always sound like YOU because it's something you cannot help». You subconsciously influence your decisions. So if you’re truly just making music based on how you want it to sound, not trying to mimic anyone else, then how could it not sound like anything other than a BLAKE track?
How do you feel about experimenting with different genres?
— Very open to it. Again, we’re chasing the feeling of being amped on a project at the end of the day. I always describe making music for me as navigating a maze. The end goal is a song you like, but you don’t always know how to get there. So you start in one direction, maybe it's using pop drums instead of hip hop, and then you take another turn, and now you’re adding some guitar, but then you hit a wall. You circle back and realize maybe the drums aren’t working, and we took a wrong turn. So you replace the drums with a rock pattern. And you kind of keep doing this exercise and taking more right and wrong turns until it becomes something you’re proud of.
I hope that makes sense but genres aside, I try and focus on making what sounds good to me and trust that the genre will work itself out later. (Laughing).
What does your creative process look like when you're making a new track?
— I always start with production - it’s the part of the process I love most. Because music is a lot of trial and error, and as someone who chronically overthinks, I try and work quickly and decisively when starting a new track.
If I’m curious how a certain sound will sit in the mix, I have to see it through and try it out, and then be able to say yes or no quickly without hesitation. Then it’s rinse and repeat until I feel like nothing else can be added. Sometimes it all comes together in one session and other times it takes weeks.
Once the foundation is laid, I’ll usually lay down a reference track to see which melodies rise to the surface, and then it’s a puzzle, trying to fit lyrics and themes into the melodies.
This might be a banal question, but I'm really curious: what inspires you?
— My friends and family inspire me endlessly. Maybe corny, but seeing people pursue love and happiness and their passions inspires me.
Are there any specific musicians or bands that have influenced your work?
— So many to name, but the big ones would probably be Mac Miller, Kid Cudi, Healy, Bonobo, Tycho.
Your song «Lately» hit 7 million streams! That's incredible! What was your first reaction when you saw that number?
— I remember releasing that song on soundcloud in college in 2016 and hearing my friends reactions and feeling like this one was something special, but never could’ve imagined it hit 7M.
I’m very glad that song’s been able to stand the test of time and reach so many people.
Do you have a favorite song among your own tracks? If so, which one and why?
— The next one haha. But if we’re keeping it real here, it’s probably Wemby. Had one of those rare sessions where the beat, and lyrics, and vocals all came together at the same time to the point I had 95% of the song completed in an afternoon.
Feel like I didn’t have to force anything, and it’s one of my few, if not only, really positive songs? Just a really fun one to make, and think it has a good energy to it.
Do you listen to your own music in your daily life?
— I listen to drafts all the time until I’m sick of them - testing on different headphones and always listening for spots to improve. I don’t listen to the released music as much because by the time it's out on streaming platforms, I’ve heard it a thousand times over and am sick of it, so I try and look forward. (Laughing).
That said, because I don’t release music as frequently as other artists, the songs always transport me back to the time in my life when the song was made, and I’ll usually be able to find some relevance in my life today. So, listening through new ears with perspective has been interesting.
Which one of your songs do you think best captures your vibe?
— Cannot pick one, but Fakes or Wemby maybe? It’s so hard to pinpoint a song since they come out years apart and a lot of growth happens between each, but music-wise, I think these two have a good mix of what I’m about, writing and melody-wise.
I remember your collaboration with Calahan Skogman. Could you tell us more about how you made that video?
— Calahan’s become one of my closest friends and we’ve been lucky enough to collaborate on a lot of music together. He came to me asking to create some ambient instrumentals that might sound good behind some of his poetry. Guy is an amazing writer, so it was pretty easy to capture the vibe he’s going for and then our other friend Thomas Facetti - another crazy talent - shot the whole thing.
Final product came out so nice and the exercise with Calahan even led to me releasing the instrumentals under somepoint. on an EP titled «Liberosis» if you’re into that vibe.
Are you planning any collaborations in the future?
— There are a few artists in my circle I’d love to collaborate with and would expect to do more in 2026. Big thing is they have to make sense for us both and definitely don’t want to force anything, but open to it!
Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
— I’m an avid walker and video game player. I’m also known to swing a club or two on the golf course, but other than that, I like to hang out with friends, go to the beach, and just chill. I’m pretty lowkey.
Favorite movie?
— «Goodwill Hunting».
Favorite TV series?
— «Attack on Titan».
Favorite game?
— Been really into «Scategories» this year. (Laughing).
Favorite book?
— «1984» by George Orwell.
Favorite quote?
— «The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing». Socrates.
Favorite color?
— Jungle green.
Favorite singer/band/composer?
— So many great ones, but at the moment, it's a band called Night Tapes.
Your favorite song?
— Tash Sultana - Can’t Buy Happiness.
Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?
— Maxime. - luv.
No Vacation - Waltzing Back.
Hudson Freeman - If You Know Me - demo.
Whats your house from Game of Thrones?
— Stark.
What's your Hogwarts House?
— Hufflepuff - seems like it could be chill.
Marvel or DC?
— Marvel.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
— Kind, chill, 6’1” (crossed out), sarcastic.
Do you have an idol and if you do, who is it and why?
— My parents have always been two people I’ve really looked up to. Growing up, you realize how hard life can be, and despite all of that they have just always shown up every day and been there for me regardless. Love them. Hope to be the same for my family someday.
What superpower would you like to have and why?
— Flight - this has to be the only correct answer. I’m trying to chill with the birds, and Uber fares are taxing.
