10 Questions with ... Billy Raffoul

1. Thanks for your time! Is there music playing in the background? If so, what is it?

If I'm being honest the end credits of "Spider-Man" are rolling in the background and Chad Kroeger is singing about a hero that could save us. It's really nostalgic for me.

2. How is 2017 treating you so far?

2017 has been a lot fun thus far. I didn't approach it any differently, but it's nice to begin to release something I've been working on for years.

3. Growing up, did you always want to be a musician?

I didn't always know I wanted to be musician. I was 14 and side stage at one of my father's shows (Jody Raffoul) on the football field of Cardinal Carter Secondary school (where I would attend high school the following September). It was that night that I remember telling myself that I wanted to do this for real.

4. I'm curious to know how your music has been influenced by living in both Canada and Nashville these days?

Actually, I've spent the majority of the making of this record in Los Angeles. What has influenced it is the constant travel between L.A., Nashville, and Leamington. It hasn't necessarily affected the sound of the record but has given me plenty more experiences to write about.

5. Let's talk about your recently released single, "Driver." Where did the inspiration for it come from?

Quite literally, 'Driver' was inspired by an encounter with a hitchhiker on a Saturday night in mid-July of last summer on Pelee Island. A 90-minute ferry ride off the shore of the town I grew up in. We turned it into something a little more sentimental, in that maybe I'm not singing about someone being lost on the side of the road, but maybe someone lost in life who doesn't know where they're going or what they're supposed to be doing.

6. How will it compare to the rest of your forthcoming album?

The album (which we are getting really close to being finished with) will be quite dynamic. It has bigger and louder productions like Driver on one end and completely live acoustic performances on the other. At its core it is a rock n roll album.

7. How did it feel when you first learned that you would be signing with Interscope Records?

It was a pretty surreal feeling. Something I had been working towards. Interscope is the right place for me because for the past two years they have totally believed in me and the sound I wanted to create. Part of the reason why it has been a lengthy lead up to the album is because I wanted to write every song and they were totally behind that. It has been a true A & R process.

8. What artists have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?

I listen to so much music, both old and new. There is so much great music out there that inspires me. I don't know if I could narrow it down. I always find inspiration in my father and his band whenever I go home to Southern Ontario and watch them perform.

9. At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? What do you hope is the message of your songs?

All these songs are stories or things that I've experienced. My hope is that they remind people who listen to them of their own stories and experiences. I hope they find their own meaning in the songs.

10. Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Just that I am really looking forward to releasing the music and hitting the road the second half of this year! We'll be in London at Hyde Parks British Summer Time Festival on July 6th.

Interview by Leah Brundgardt