Q&A: Boy Golden on New Album ‘Best of Our Possible Lives’ and Releasing Live Performance of “The Matter At Hand”
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY FAITH LUEVANOS ☆
Photo by @paigesarastudio
BOY GOLDEN RETURNS WITH INTROSPECTIVE NEW ALBUM—Best of Our Possible Lives, released Feb 13. This new chapter of Boy Golden has brought him closer to music and himself, from both a philosophical and spiritual standpoint. As an exciting new voice in roots music, he’s quickly gaining a cult following as he carves his own path, and that path is quickly translating into momentum.
With a Canadian radio chart-topper and growing support from outlets like Rolling Stone and Billboard, Best of Our Possible Lives allows listeners to see a new side of Boy Golden, a side that opens up fully to vulnerability and intimate moments throughout the record. Today, he released a live performance of “The Matter At Hand,” showcasing the full scale of depth within the album.
The Luna Collective received the opportunity to chat with Boy Golden about his new album, how he sees himself as Boy Golden, lessons learned throughout the creative process and more. Read the full interview below.
Photo by Paige Sara
LUNA: First off, congrats on the release of your album! How does it feel to have this body of work out in the world now?
BOY GOLDEN: Thank you! It feels good. I love making music, but after a while, you really do need to put it out into the world. It's a part of the creative process. I have especially loved playing live shows, playing the songs for people in a room, and talking to people about the music. I always ask people at shows, "How did you hear about the music?" because especially in America, it's pretty underground. That is always really interesting to hear where people are hearing new music and connecting with it. I appreciate the open-minded people out there listening to new music!
LUNA: While making this album, and in general, you're inspired by philosophy and spirituality. Can you share how these intertwine with your music for you?
BOY GOLDEN: They are impossible to separate. My music-making and songwriting practice is the place where I feel closest to 'God' (whatever you wanna call it), and regularly making time to write and create is the best thing I do for my mental and spiritual health. If you are a person who feels called to create things, I strongly encourage you to do that. It can and will change your life!
LUNA: You describe Boy Golden as both a moniker and a conduit. When you’re writing, do you feel like you’re stepping into a character, or revealing something personal?
BOY GOLDEN: Again, both! When I started, I felt it was more of a character I would step into, but I think over time the character and my personality have fused. I think Boy Golden was a sort of aspirational character for me, and as I've gotten older, I think I've actually grown into BG. I feel pretty comfortable blending the personal and the fictional when I'm writing or playing as BG.
LUNA: The title draws from Leibniz’s idea of “the best of all possible worlds.” Do you believe that, or is the album more about wrestling with that idea?
BOY GOLDEN: No, I don't really believe in a benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent God. I think God is far more complex than that. I think it's useless to try to understand it. "The Tao you can name is not the Tao." I think the album is more of a wrestling with various questions: Why are we here? Why do we suffer? Why, why, why?
One of my habits when I write is questions. I'm always asking questions in my songs. Sometimes I try to edit out the questions, because I get bored of asking them.
LUNA: What was something you learned about yourself while making this album?
BOY GOLDEN: I learned that it feels great to let go of control. All my other records were self-produced, often self-mixed, and I was playing several instruments. On this record, I sang, played my guitar parts and played a couple keyboard parts, and I produced. But really, I let the excellent minds and talents that were working with me on this record do their thing, and I love how it turned out. I am dying to make another.
LUNA: While working with Lackritz, how did his production shape or challenge your original vision?
BOY GOLDEN: Robbie is a gentle producer, I would say. He only steps in when he feels strongly about something, and I picked up on that early. Whenever he had something to say or an idea, I always made sure to pay attention. He's made more records than me! Best to listen to that experience. I also learned to ask questions when I had them or ask for validation - he was really good about having clear answers for me, which I loved. I feel like he is really in touch with his taste, which is essential. He absolutely shaped the album, which was exactly what I needed help with. I had too many songs going into this record, and he helped me pick the right ones.
LUNA: How do you see Best of Our Possible Lives in conversation with For Eden, For Jimmy, and Church of Better Daze?
BOY GOLDEN: Hm, I think it's a wiser album. Maybe those other records are coming to Best of Our Possible Lives for advice.
LUNA: What do you hope listeners carry with them after sitting with Best of Our Possible Lives?
BOY GOLDEN: I always say this, but I hope my music inspires other people to make something. I love it when people send me photos or videos of them making crafts or working to my music... I love hearing that my song inspired another song... to me that is the highest compliment.
