Photo Credit: Julia Mayorova

There was once a job interview where I admitted that I’m much more an assistant than a leader, and I think it’s important to be honest in that regard. I was not meant for spotlights, but rather overseeing that the spotlight is pointed in the right direction. Once upon a time, Conner Youngblood thought he’d also be more behind-the-scenes but one song led to the next, and well, we’ll let him finish that thought in the back-and-forth exchange that follows below. Get to know not only how Conner Youngblood stepped out on his own, how running helps his mindset, and more about his September 2024 release, ‘Cascades, Cascading, Cascadingly,’ out now!

Kendra: You’re based out in Nashville which reminded me of one of my favorite artists, Garth Brooks. He has said he moved to Nashville to be a songwriter, but obviously, life had other plans. Did you always know you wanted to be in front of the mic as well as behind the scenes?

Conner Youngblood: Definitely not. Growing up, I always thought I would be behind a camera. Music was more of a slow burn, to be honest. A very, very slow burn you could say. Just one song to the next and seeing where each one would take me. And somehow these songs took me to Nashville, TN.  

Kendra: Sticking with the behind-the-scenes aspect, you utilized vocal loops in “Running through the Tøyen Arboretum in the spring.” It’s a technique I learned a little bit more about when Ariana Grande was on Hot Ones talking about how she was inspired by Imogen Heap’s usage of it. When it comes to vocals as an instrument, how do you feel advances in technology and looping have helped vocalists expand their already natural abilities? 

Conner Youngblood: Imogen Heap is on another level with those gloves of hers. I am way more pedestrian and just use a simple loop pedal. It’s a super simple way of coming up with harmonies or even writing entire songs over a simple little vocal loop. “Running through the Tøyen arboretum in the spring” was the result of a little vocal loop consisting of me singing, “tu cara, su cara.”

Kendra: This song came to you in pieces while out on jogs in the Norwegian botanical garden you mention in the title. We all know the popular line from ‘Legally Blonde’ about running and endorphins making you happy, but you were in that part of the world for a very solemn reason. So for you, would you argue that running makes you more creative than anything? 

Conner Youngblood: It’s mostly used to not think at all. Just to clear out thought and empty all the junk that’s been floating around. I will say that on special occasions, I do use the runs to think about the songs I am in the middle of working on. Like little production notes, how to approach the mix, rewriting lines, etc. But not so sure if I am ever that creative on runs—I’m mostly just focusing on breathing.

Kendra: Perhaps tennis might be the best comparison in the end since it already moved you enough once, but if you had to compare ‘Cascades, Cascading, Cascadingly’ to a sporting event experience – which sport would you say it’s most like and why?

Conner Youngblood: I will say that I am sitting here watching the US Open while I answer these questions. Tennis is incredible. But as for comparing the whole album to one sport…maybe swimming? Maybe the backstroke. Under the surface, the entire thing took quite an effort for me to get through, but I hope on the surface it comes across as pretty fluid and at ease. There are a lot of other random water references in the album as well. Plus, I’ve been trying to swim more recently.

Kendra: Time for a side note – With it being prime Back 2 School time this month, I’d love to know what song from your past immediately transports you back to getting ready for class in the morning? 

Conner Youngblood: Eddie Coker is a local Dallas children’s songwriting legend, and we used to bop his CD in the car every day to and from school. “Mrs. Gillafrudnick” was/is my go-to.

Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Cascades, Cascading, Cascadingly” out now, what else can fans expect as we finish out 2024?

Conner Youngblood: I don’t even know what I will be doing tomorrow to be honest. I don’t want to promise too much for now, but I will keep on recording and see what I can come up with.