by kaleigh gieraltowski
photo courtesy of boy jr.
Ingenious songwriter and influencer Boy Jr. has recently released their newest single “Still Be Friends,” a triumphant tune that takes on the whirlwind of a breakup. The indie-pop artist has more in store this year as their DIY album I Love Getting Dumped is on its way to being released. This project is filled with sarcastic and edgy anthems to heal the souls of any listeners going through their own relationships struggles. You won’t want to miss their upcoming live shows with Jhariah this September, along with more music on the way! We got to talk to Boy Jr. about the inner workings of the album, which you can read about now!
Congratulations on your new single “Still Be Friends!” Is the way you describe the breakup spiel coming from personal experience?
Boy Jr.: “Thank you so much! It definitely comes FROM it. It’s a combination of things that have been directly said but then a lot of more sarcastic extrapolations from that. Sentiments that are more implied, or hyperbolic version of sentiments expressed during a breakup.”
“Still Be Single” hits its mark by diving into the casualties of a breakup that too many people can relate to. How do you hope this message is portrayed to listeners?
Boy Jr.: “I hope it’s portrayed cathartically and with an edge of having to laugh at the BS we’ve gone through.”
Your new DIY album I Love Getting Dumped is releasing soon. Tell us about the narrative of this work as a whole.
Boy Jr.: “All the songs on I Love Getting Dumped were written/recorded after different breakups over the last few years. Some started at one point and finished months or years later. So it really spans musical influences and a variety of ideas and feelings surrounding breakups. My hope is that by putting ALL these stories into one body of work and releasing it I’ll be relinquishing a lot of those old feelings and letting live in the past too.”
What has it been like writing your album in a “do it yourself” format?
Boy Jr.: “Well, it’s the only way I’ve really known how to make my music. I often feel like I’m collaborating with myself doing it this way. A lot of times I’ll start one song either as a producer or as a writer. Sometimes a little of both. But then I’ll come back to the song later on and really hone in on just the song or just the production and go back and forth like that until the song feels like it’s satisfying both sides of me.”
Your art is heavily influenced by honesty and unapologetic advice. Have you found this
to be beneficial to yourself and fans?
Boy Jr.: “Oh, that’s interesting! It’s funny, I have found that it’s not until I am asked questions like this that I even realize how my writing is coming across. Like, yeah, I guess I do just kinda tell it like I’m feeling it. I would say it’s beneficial to the part of me that needs to vent about what I’m feeling and create from a place of frustration or sadness or what. My hope is that it’s beneficial to others to hear something they perhaps relate to and/or can just enjoy the music.”
What would you say to anyone going through a breakup right now?
Boy Jr.: “Listen to my album. [laughs] No, but seriously, my advice is try to take a step back and gather whatever you can learn from the experience.”
Which track off of I Love Getting Dumped are you most excited for the world to hear?
Boy Jr.: “Well, all of them. [laughs] But I’m gonna go with ‘Lost And’ because it’s the longest song I’ve put out, and ‘I’m Not Pretty’ because it’s the saddest song I’ve put out.”
Thus far in your career, what milestones have you accomplished that make you the most
proud?
Boy Jr.: “Releasing this album will certainly be one. I think every time I put out new music it feels like a milestone. The tours we did opening for JER and VIAL and then VIAL again were also meaningful milestones. Anytime I get to be out in the real world and interact with the music community is so special.”
What else can we expect from you coming soon? Any collaborations or live shows?
Boy Jr.: “I’ll be opening for Jhariah on a few dates in September!! And after this album comes out, I’ve already got some bonus tracks for it. Then I think it’s time for a collab era.”