Hailing from sun-soaked California, Adam Melchor got the ball rolling with his career hitting the studio with the likes of Charlie Puth and The Chainsmokers. Walking to the beat of his own drum, he launched Melchor’s Lullaby Hotline – giving fans the opportunity to receive an unreleased song by sending a text. Bashing out over 40 original songs, Melchor blessed the ears of over 10,000 fans. Sprouting from that endeavour, the young artist released the mixtape “Melchor Lullaby, Vol. 1” which brought light to his favourite tracks from the project – marking his first release under the illustrious Warner Records label.
With a knack for dreaming up intimate, yet universal lyrics – Melchor’s songwriting chops have put him on the map as one to watch. Recently releasing his debut album “Here Goes Nothing!”, it received a slew of critical praise; it’s not hard to see why. Tracks like the opening “I’m Afraid I Love You” are utterly soft, as tentative piano keys underpin Melchor’s silky-smooth voice – while the track crescendos into a feat of spellbinding production. Others, like “Let Me Know When” featuring the indie giants Fleet Foxes, feature pattering percussion, muted twangy guitars, and soaring harmonies.
Documenting the perils of long-distance love, “Here Goes Nothing” lyrically unfurls the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows that come along with the game of love. Featuring collaborations with the likes of Charlie Puth, Lennon Stella, and Emily Warren, Melchor also co-produced the record with Henry Kwapis. A labour of love, Melchor brought “Here Goes Nothing!” across the pond to the UK. Touring along with Holly Humberstone, as well as a headline gig at London’s Moth Club – Melchor has been on the up and up.
Having amassed a total of 75 million streams on Spotify, Melchor is set to take the stage – blazing through the US with an extensive North American tour. Luckily for us, we managed to pin down the young artist and pry into the inner workings of his mind. From mixtapes and tour madness, to journaling and self-reflection – we covered it all.
Head below to read our interview with Adam Melchor…
Hey Adam, how are you doing? Where in the world are you?
I am equal parts exhausted and exhilarated. That’s the touring life! I just landed back in Los Angeles last night. Jet lag is hitting me hard so I woke up around 5:30 and watched the rain and the sun rise. Not a bad start to the day.
How is the tour going? It must be exciting to think about your own tour next year!
Tour went so well. I just did the maths and I played 67 shows last year! Starting next year with almost two months of shows is a bit daunting to think about. It’s very day to day, I think for sanity’s sake we simply must not think too far ahead of ourselves, but when I do I feel excited and nervous about travelling and playing my songs in front of the country.
Congrats on “Here Goes Nothing” and your upcoming performance with Holly Humberstone! How did that collaboration come about?
Thank you! It actually stemmed from a mutual online friendship and opening for her Bowery Ballroom (NYC) show last year. I was on my headline tour in 2021 and I flew from SF to NY to play the one show. It was so worth it and we became good pals, so when she asked me to open for her in London/UK it was an easy yes.
You’ve already got an impressive list of collaborators! Were there any pinch-me moments this year?
The biggest pinch me moment was Robin from Fleet Foxes asking me to sing with them on SNL with Post Malone. Growing up, Fleet Foxes were my number one, and I obviously love Post Malone. Being from New Jersey, SNL is a regional staple as well as national, so when I was doing it, I couldn’t even believe it was real.
Do you have any dream collaborations in mind?
Honestly, Adam Sandler is my dream collab. We would write one hell of a song. Someone please make it happen.
“Here Goes Nothing” is a very vulnerable exploration of a long-distance relationship. How do you approach songwriting?
Inwards is always the approach. Self reflecting with the structure of a modern pop song has always done right by me. I love being specific enough to capture humanity and general enough to relate to anyone. I think a lot of our love was distant these last couple years. I’m specifically using a long distance relationship as the vehicle, but the journey could be for anyone feeling like the things they love are far away.
Do you struggle to talk about personal issues?
I do! all the time. I much prefer writing songs about them and reflecting that way. I get tongue tied quite easily, so I love to write my thoughts down as much as possible. I need to start saying them out loud to people.
Talk to us about the ‘Melchor Lullaby, Vol. 1’ mixtape. Did you make mixtapes when you were younger? We need to bring them back!
I used to burn CDs for my crushes in high school and middle school. Big surprise but it never worked. Maybe it had more to do with me than the songs.
Lastly, what’s next for you? Quiet Christmas? Busy 2023?
2023 is gonna be filled with lots of music, and the rest of 2022 is gonna be making that music. And sleeping. Lots of sleep.
To listen to Adam Melchor’s debut album “Here Goes Nothing!” head below…