convolk is a new artist from California who’s been steadily gaining attention over the past year. By combining is rock roots with an impressive production talent, he’s been able to find his audience amongst the emo trap community of producers and artists on SoundCloud we see continually expanding. With a various features under his belt and his play counts climbing every day, convolk is an artist worth exploring before he fully achieves the large amount of attention he deserves.
Underground Underdogs: I’ve seen you post from a number of places around the US but also saw you’re active on VK and have checked in overseas, where are you from? Are you currently living in New York?
convolk: I’m from Oakland California but I go to school 2 hours north of NYC.
Did you have any strong music influences growing up?
Yes. A lot. 90’s rock (literally name a somewhat known band and I probably was bumping them) alternative rock, midwestern Emo, and a lot of different rap, starting with OutKast and Eminem and always staying up to date with good rappers and artists. I’m mostly influenced by them but I listen to everything I can. Also listen to Roy Fukui, Haruomi Hosono, and Mort Garson’s Plantasia. Real ones know.
Have you always known you wanted to be an artist? When did you discover your passion for creating music?
I’ve always wanted to perform. I used to act but I realized that music is so much more free than acting and lets me be creative. I’ve loved music since I was a kid. I saw the fact that the internet let people do anything they wanted and influence people while creating cool shit and I said, “hey I wanna do that”.
With song titles like “drink-182” and “bum 41” and your first SoundCloud release sampling Real Friends, have you always enjoyed pop punk? If not, when did you first discover it?
I’ve been into Pop punk, punk in general, and 90’s grunge and alt since around 12.
Can you tell us a little about your name? I’ve heard so many people comment on being able to relate to your line in “drink-182” about being bullied for your last name, did your given name affect your choice of going by ‘convolk’ at all?
I won’t say what convolk means but it has a meaning. It’s also not my (or anyone else’s) first or last name.
Did you have any content before this?
I had a few beats I posted and an embarrassing song.
We got a chance to explore your release Caught in a Hailstorm back in January, but you’ve released a solid amount of work since then. What’s the track you enjoyed making the most recently?
“Black Heart.” I think that’s why it performed so well is because I loved making it and when you love making something it just reflects in the music. I also just heard the beat and was like “ah ok this one is a hit.”
Awhile back you mentioned you had considered quitting music altogether when your work wasn’t being taken seriously, with some success under your belt, do you have any words of advice for artists struggling to find their audience?
Don’t give up and learn how to market to your target audience.
Do you see yourself working with producer oilcolor again in the future?
I’d love to. Dude is cool as hell.
Should we expect any more new projects within the next few months?
No projects but I’ll be releasing one song per week as compiling them as albums. I find that people prefer that to album drops.
Any other thoughts or advice you’d like to leave your current and future fans with?
Thank you for being the reason I get up in the morning.
Dig into convolk’s music down below, and check out his most recent release “dead in december 2” above.