With an exclusive listen to his new EP, we chat to the Danish heartthrob.
Rising star, Louis Rustum, has been melting hearts since the release of his 2014 debut EP “tomorrowtonite”. Critically acclaimed, the EP saw him become a big name in Germany and gain a large amount of buzz.
He is now back with his new EP, “Classified”, having released the title-track earlier this year. Blending 80s pop elements into his sound, the EP is a new and exciting sound, and only goes to show the heights that Louis is destined to reach.
We sat down with the Danish songwriter to find out all about him.
What is your earliest memory of music?
To be honest, I think the Jungle Book soundtrack was my first recollection of really enjoying music. We had a cassette tape, which I used to love playing everywhere – I would walk around with the speakers and dance to all the songs in the apartment I grew up in. The King Louie anthem was the one on highest rotation! I just remember that whole tape really having an impact on me learning how to enjoy music.
What musical eras inspire you the most?
The 90s and 80s has had the biggest influence on me, I think; when I started really getting interested in music. 90s Hiphop / RnB really grabbed me, it sparked a lot in the way that I write today. Everything from Slum Village to 2pac to Missy Elliot and Aaliyah. The 80s were playing all the way through my childhood and today it’s really all that I’m listening to because it challenges me more than rap. Artists like Whitney Houston, Sade, George Michael and Fleetwood Mac. I understand that era much better now after years of doing music myself and experimenting.
“The 80s were playing all the way through my childhood and today it’s really all that I’m listening to because it challenges me more than rap.”
Your debut EP was released in 2014, how do you think your music has changed/grown since then?
I think the sound has really developed towards the 80s RnB and Pop as me and my producers / friends have been inspired by how that time in music had the ability to tell great stories but at the same time make you move. By studying that era, naturally my melodies, my writing and my way of structuring songs have grown in a much stronger direction compared to (my last EP) “tomorrowtonite”. With that being said, the rap tools are still very apparent in my delivery, I just use them differently today.
For those unfamiliar with your music, describe your sound in three words…
Reflective, danceable and warm.
What inspired your latest single, “Classified”?
An urge I couldn’t shake off and sort of had to express. Mainly it was about a girl who I really wanted to get with, but she was kind of unsure about it, which allowed me to make a move to convince her.
Where do you hope to be this time next year?
Traveling. I want to mobilise more people around Europe right now, so I can travel and show my music to all those different countries.
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