Now the newest release from A Project Called Love “Chicago” is an unexpected inspiration that’s grown out of a chance meeting in Chicago. The days you have spent in another country became unforgettable, eventually it became a personal experience and ultimately an exciting, energetic and emotional song. The theme of the track is that of “meeting someone you instantly connect with, and never forget”.
The song was originally written for an acoustic project but slowly expanded into a larger, more energetic project, with the incorporation of ska, punk, rock, grunge and indie pop. The song’s influences are as varied as Nirvana, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and the memories of the ‘90s, all while not putting music in a box.
The song was recorded in Cologne, with Julian as the producer, and shows how A Project Called Love works with its hands—nearly every instrument is played by the artist. In this interview, we discuss the actual story behind “Chicago,” the creative freedom of the music, coming back to Cologne to record, and how one release becomes the next with A Project Called Love.
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“Chicago” was inspired by meeting someone special during a short stay in the city and unexpectedly falling hard. What was it about that experience that made you want to turn it into a song?
It was one of the most special personal experiences of my life—meeting someone you immediately connect with, who changes your life forever, completely out of the blue during a few short days in a foreign town. I mean, she told me she stole her first car and was tracked down by police helicopters when she was 14. No wonder I fell in love with her! That kind of wild, instant spark just demanded to be written into a song.
There is a strong sense of excitement and spontaneity behind “Chicago.” How did you capture those feelings in the songwriting and overall sound of the track?
I can’t remember if I wrote the lyrics or the music first; I think they happened simultaneously. There was this hook, “sparks on the dance floor,” which became the anchor for the chorus, and I just let my emotions flow from there.
For about a year, the song only existed as an acoustic version. When it came time to record, I added the bass line and drum beats, but I always envisioned a triumphant trumpet or brass section. I don’t play brass myself, but I got incredibly lucky. My producer, Julian, is an excellent trumpeter and easily tracked exactly what I had in my head. We even found a sax player to make the final sound feel truly epic.
You describe A Project Called Love as having “No boundaries. No genres. Just music straight from the heart.” How does that philosophy shape the way you approach creating music?
I’ve always listened to a massive range of music: from skate punk and hardcore to grunge, metal, pop, jazz, reggae, ska, and electronic music. I refuse to limit my songwriting to a specific box. Instead, I draw from whatever musical direction feels right for the song.
Often, that direction reveals itself later in the process. I write most tracks on an acoustic guitar and play them for months until a feeling hits me—like, “maybe this needs a mix of reggae and grunge,” or “this feels like Pixies-style indie rock.” Once that vision clicks, I just chase it down and make it a reality.
“Chicago” brings together ska, punk, rock, grunge, and indie pop. What attracts you to combining styles that might not traditionally be placed together?
To be honest, the styles reflected in “Chicago” are simply amongst my favorite genres of music. Because of that, combining them felt entirely natural and effortless—I wasn’t consciously trying to force them together. I firmly believe music should never be confined to a specific grid or vibe. Real creativity thrives on total freedom.
You mention influences such as Nirvana and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. How did those artists influence the sound or energy you wanted to bring to “Chicago”?
By the time I was 13, I already knew I wanted to make music like Nirvana. They were my ultimate role models. Their combination of pure energy, anger, and power mixed with Beatles-like melodies and pop structures still fascinates me today.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are also an incredible band and a huge influence. What both of those bands share is completely unfiltered energy and raw emotion. That explosive, honest energy is exactly what I hoped to capture in “Chicago.”
The song has been compared to the nostalgic feel of a ’90s classic like “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” What do you think makes music from that era continue to connect with listeners today?
I guess during this era there were tons and tons of great bands present who created great music. I was a teenager back then, deep in my punk phase—picture long hair on one side of my head and a total buzz cut on the other! Back then, I would never have admitted in public that I listened to pop anthems like “Breakfast At Tiffany’s,” but it is just a phenomenal song. People can still feel that era’s vibe today. Fortunately, I’m grown up enough now to publicly admit that I love it!
You recorded “Chicago” in Cologne, your hometown, despite being based in Venice, California. What was it like returning to Cologne to create a song inspired by your experience in Chicago?
I still spend a lot of time traveling back and forth, so Cologne always feels like home. The recording process there was magical because I found an incredible producer, Julian. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you’ll meet, but he truly helped bring my dreams to life.
Most of the tracks I brought him were just rough ideas on tape; the final wall-of-sound only existed inside my head. Julian completely understood the assignment and pulled those ideas out of my head into reality. Finding him was just as unexpected as my encounter in Chicago—though it took a few more nights to record the songs!
As a multi-instrumentalist, you performed almost everything on the recording apart from the drums and brass section. How involved are you in shaping each instrumental part, and what does that hands-on approach bring to your music?
I am incredibly hands-on with every single instrumental part. It requires an immense amount of work and responsibility, but it gives me the absolute creative freedom I need to execute my vision. When it came time to collaborate, watching the musicians and Julian take the arrangement that lived in my head and bring it to life in the room was pure magic.
“Chicago” is your third release as A Project Called Love. Looking back at your first two releases, what have you learned about your sound and yourself as an artist?
With every single release, I feel I gain a little more confidence in my musical approach. It is a deeply intimidating process to put your own voice, your guitar playing, your bass lines, and your raw songwriting out into the world. But it is incredibly rewarding when it connects and doesn’t end in a total failure. I’m so genuinely grateful for every piece of encouraging feedback I receive. I love every single person who takes the time to listen to my music.
At its heart, “Chicago” is about an unexpected connection that happened quickly and left a lasting impression. What do you hope listeners feel when they hear the song, and where do you see A Project Called Love going from here?
More than anything, I hope people can relate to the emotion and just have fun listening to it. I want them to feel whatever the track stirs up in them. Looking ahead, I hope some of those listeners turn into fans and join A Project Called Love on this journey. We’re just getting started, and there is a lot more music on the horizon!
