Self-confessed outsider Rilan is ready to take 2019 by storm with his unique brand of antisocial pop. With his latest single, “Love or Drugs,” Rilan is taking pop music and turning it on its head, using the platform to take a satirical jab at the typical Hollywood nightlife and popular culture. The result is an incredibly catchy, campy and relatable antisocial anthem that paves the way for more music to be released this year.
We recently caught up with Rilan to chat about his upbringing in music and the entertainment industry, the decision to start writing his own pop music and plans for the rest of 2019. Listen to “Love or Drugs” and read the full interview now below.
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself for anyone who might not be familiar?
I’m your friendly neighborhood unpopular popstar.
You got your start in the music and entertainment industry at a very young age. What excited you about this world when you were a kid?
This world is limitless. I could step on stage and enter another reality. I grew up in musical theatre. Performing was where I felt most at home. It allowed me to step out of my shy little shell. As I got older, I realized I didn’t want to perform other people’s music. I wanted to write my own. I wanted to sing what I wanted to sing how I wanted to sing it. I wanted to dress like a rockstar. I wanted to be me. I realized I could escape the real world I hated so much and just create my own. That’s what I’ve been doing since I was about 13-years-old. I haven’t experienced reality since. It’s been great.
What first inspired you to start creating the music that you’re writing and playing today?
I stumbled into writing my own music. I took piano as a child but hated it and quit after a year. One day I dragged my angsty 13-year-old self back to the dusty keyboard in my room and started playing. I didn’t know what I was doing or singing or even thinking, but an hour later, I had written a song. I’d always made up little tunes in my head, but this was a full on song. It had melody and lyricism and structure. It had a title and a point and a purpose. I think at that moment I realized I could write my own music. It was my baby. It was how I felt at that exact time in my life. Since then writing has been my best form of therapy. I talk my problems out through my music. I always have, and I always will, so thank you in advance for being my therapist.
Last month, you released your new single, “Love Or Drugs.” When you first started working on the track, did you have any major goals in mind?
World domination – the usual. But really, I just wanted to talk about what it feels like to be an outsider in Hollywood. I don’t fit in here. I don’t fit in anywhere. I never have, and I never will. I wanted to offer that misfit perspective to pop music.
“Love Or Drugs” is a satirical take on the party scene and lifestyle delivered in the form of a catchy pop track. What inspired you to deliver this message in this way?
All of my music is satirical. I fight the norm by making fun it. I always have. What better way for me to do that than through music? Pop is the perfect platform to talk about being unpopular. I like to flip constructs on their head.
What would you like listeners to take away from “Love Or Drugs”?
I’m weird, and I know what it’s like to be the weird kid. I was never invited to this party. I was never invited to any party growing up. It used to suck, but now I’m grateful because I threw my own antisocial party at home in my head. That’s why I’m who I am today. I made my fantasy a reality. I’m here for those other weird kids like me who don’t fit into a single clique. We’re our own troupe, and we’re throwing the best party in the world. No cool kids are invited.
With “Love Or Drugs” out now, can fans expect to hear some more new music soon?
Yes. I have a new single coming out this summer followed by an EP full of more antisocial pop songs.
Do you have any other big plans coming up for 2019? Any shows or tour dates in the works?
Yes. I have quite a few shows all over the country. Keep your eyes peeled for my face on a billboard near you.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so much.
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