Fresh off the recent DIY releases “Middlegame” and “Patriarch (Animal Farm remix),” Seven Layer Piano Cakes (Justin Hoyt) is back with his new single “Remy.” About his young son and the difficulties of being apart, “Remy” features a lush, cautiously optimistic dream pop-but-still-rock soundscape that builds to a layered outro in the vein of Beach House and The Beach Boys. Also inspired by the Strokes, this Wurlitzer and guitar-driven song co-produced by Ian Stahl (Cilience) is a straightforward pop-rock banger with numerous hooks that will make you want to hit the repeat button at least a few times.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
If I have to answer this, I suppose it would probably be a lot of classical training and varied interests as a listener. I love metal as much as classical, as much as pop, and as much as rock.
Who inspired you to make music?
Mozart and Brian Wilson.
Your latest track is 'Remy'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
I woke up from a really solid nap and wrote the song the night before going in the studio, I just felt inspired to write a song about my son. The only thing that was unusual about the recording process is that I did a scratch synth track to show what the song structure was going to be like for Ian Stahl, my collaborator/engineer, and we did it on a Wurlitzer and liked the sound so much we ended up using it in the final version.
What is your creative process like?
I usually just feel a mood and then let whatever happens, happens. Then over the next several days, I refine the mess I made the first night.
What is the most surprising fact you’ve learnt about yourself?
That I look exactly like Rick Rubin when lying on the couch during the mixing and later stages of the production processes.
Do you think that education is important?
Absolutely. I actually have a side job as an adjunct law professor and I would never give it up. I love learning and educating. There’s always more to learn in life.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I actually really like feedback, both positive and negative. I especially like hearing what someone thought was the catchiest part or parts of the song.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It is great because anyone can get out there now. In the old days, you had to play shows and hope to get lucky or be on a label to make anything happen. That said, I despise Spotify and what the focus on playlists and “fitting in” more than standing out has done to the artists. Not to mention the pathetic royalties that company pays the artists.
What do you think is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen or experienced?
The births of my kids and the reef/sea life while scuba diving at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
What are your plans for the future?
Eat lots of cake and release a new single in a couple months (it’s a big duet called “Endgame” that is part of my chess trilogy of songs (“Novel Opening” and “Middlegame” are the others) that I am really excited about. Also shooting some music videos and getting ready to play again.