We recently had the chance to talk with a young talent who holds wisdom beyond his years, Drew Pulliam. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the captivating world of the singer-songwriter. With a unique blend of soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Pulliam has been making waves in the music industry as a rising star. Growing up in a large family and participating in musical theater from a young age, we learned more about Drew and the inspirations behind his music, his creative process behind his debut EP, 16 Going on 60, and his aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by the talent and passion of this extraordinary artist.
Congrats on the release of your debut EP! Can you share a bit of the backstory behind the project?
Thanks! 16 Going on 60 is my first try at writing and recording something I believe in. It’s a collection of songs that tell stories from my head or that have touched me in some way.
What message do you hope fans gain from your music?
I’ve never really thought of having fans. I’m new at this, but I hope anyone who listens to my music can find a little piece of their own story in there somewhere – or just enjoy it in whatever way they’d like.
What drew you into songwriting?
I grew up the youngest in a big family, and we all did a lot of musical theater. Between listening to my parents and older siblings – and all the stories in the theater, too – it just came naturally to learn to be a storyteller through music. It also just felt great to create something completely new and original that’s never been done before, and to share it with the world.
Who are your greatest musical inspirations?
Oh man, where do I even begin? I tend to have different musical inspirations for different aspects of music. I love playing piano, so Billy Joel and Elton John are definitely up there, as well as the Jazz greats like Oscar Peterson. When it comes to guitar, I’m a huge John Mayer and Eric Clapton fan. Some of my favorite songwriters are The Lumineers, Avett Brothers, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Jim Croce. I’m also a huge fan of Harry Styles, the way he produces has just always caught my ear.
If you could duet with any artist, who would it be and why?
The Lumineers; I just love the way they write.
What is the “story behind the song” of your track “Little Things”?
Just watching good people get lost in doing things that hurt the people they love. Sometimes enough is enough, and it’s time to just stop. It’s not that I’ve had a certain personal experience, I guess the way the song came was a God thing – because it resonates with a lot of people’s experiences.
Can you share with us a little about your song writing process – what inspires you to write a new song?
Something that makes me feel strongly about an experience – or when I watch people I love go through something – I’m inspired to find a melody about it and then put words to it.
What are your musical plans for the rest of the year?
I’m in the studio now working on my next collection of songs. I can’t wait to share them!
Where can people follow you?
You can check out Drew Pulliam on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or wherever you stream music, and I’m @drewpulliamofficial on Insta and TikTok. I hope you do!
What advice would you give to other teen artists or creators?
Pay attention to the stories you hear all around you – and then just write about what you think of it. And just have fun doing it!
