Q: I absolutely love the vibe of “Secrets”! It has an almost disco feeling, with elements of house music and pop. Can you walk me through the creative process of making this track?
COLEMAN.X: I really wanted to have a catchy song with a bouncy bassline throughout the track. At the time I made the beat I was listening to a lot of house and dance pop, and researching a lot of the ballroom scene that has continued from the 80s into today. It was very important for me to have a very symmetrical song that just exploded with emotions at the end, signifying where my mind goes when I start to think too much. I added the jazz-y outro right before I sent the song off because I was listening to a lot of Frank Ocean and loved the way some of his songs would come to a conclusion with this calm and sophisticated outro, signifying the issue at hand had been solved (or the illusion of being solved at least).
Q: “Secrets” is seemingly about a toxic/failed relationship. Is this song based on a real-life event?
COLEMAN.X: 1000%. I broke up with my first love for the last time after having a very intense on and off relationship- I had pushed my feelings down pretty hard initially and tried to distract myself by being high at all times and filling that void with other people. I made this song when I did start to feel the effects of a breakup about three months later- heartbreak, regret, loneliness. It helped me accept my sadness about the situation and allowed me to really feel what I needed to feel to move on. I may have snuck in a voice memo or two somewhere in the track of us, which reminds me of the healing I have done since that time; I can sing this song about being so broken and regretful then hear his voice and feel fine!
Q: I can’t believe you’re only 20; you have such a distinct sound already. Do you have a specific memory or know when you decided to follow your path as a musician?
COLEMAN.X: My dad is in a rock/ soul band, and as a kid I would always help him set up for his shows every weekend. Watching him get up on stage and perform was always very inspiring to me- he didn’t care what anyone else in the audience thought, he was just up there having a good time and entertaining everyone while doing it. He was always very supportive of my love for music because of this; I started writing around 13 and when I was 15 he gave me his old work laptop with FL Studio on it and I started producing every day after school- the rest is history!
Q: I just know that “Secrets” was made to perform live and dance to! What are your favorite places to perform at?
COLEMAN.X: Exactly! I have performed at Nashville Pride Festival the past couple of years, and I have to say that is the best experience I’ve had performing. Everyone is dancing, there is no judgement whatsoever. I feel very lucky to be able to sing there and it is always so beautiful.
Q: I read that you were raised by a musician, which obviously shaped who you are today. Do you remember when you first fell in love with music?
COLEMAN.X: Seeing my dad perform as a kid was a big influence on me and my love for music. He would always drive me to shows in Atlanta and we would go to these pop shows together and have the best time. I remember Katy Perry was my first show when I was 13 and I remember crying during the show because I knew that being on that stage was all I wanted and that was what I was going to do.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
COLEMAN.X: I think getting A.G. Cook and Max Martin in the same room would be insane.
Q: What’s next for you? Do you have any upcoming projects or shows you want to let people know about?
COLEMAN.X: There are a couple more songs dropping in the coming months I’m super excited about (including a possible remix), then followed by my debut album in the fall which I’ve been working on since I was 17 and I could not be more excited to release.
Q: What do you hope listeners take away from “Secrets”?
COLEMAN.X: When you feel guilt or regret after a breakup, it’s ok and you’re not alone- just dance it out.
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
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