Interview with heyiloveyou – an experimental project from Croatia
How did you come by your stage name?
Karlo from heyiloveyou here. heyiloveyou is an experimental, ambient, post-rock, trip-hop, electronic one-man project from Croatia (although I like to say the actual genre is – strange music).
The project’s name is something we all seem to be afraid to say directly and always find different ways to show it in a more subtle way. So, why just not say it? Everyone needs one “hey…iloveyou” from time to time… Even when you are listening to a song, you go to see the title and the artist… and the title says that it loves you. If your loved one can’t say it to you, well my project’s name can.
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
I have been playing the guitar since I was a toddler because I had always had a guitar at home. My dad got a guitar as a gift in ’74 and never played it, never showed any passion for it.
I did. Right away. I was practicing for about 6-10 hours every day while I was still in elementary school, I took it very seriously. From that point on, I went from an acoustic to an electric guitar, now to programming the drums, recording ambient sounds, making beats – I do it all now. I mean, it’s a one-man project, I have to do it all…
To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?
The secret to diversity is in listening to as many genres as possible and taking something from every single one. I love the deep bass of EDM, the aggressiveness of metal, the guitar work of post-rock, the peacefulness of ambient music, and the creativity of experimental/progressive music.
The goal of ‘heyiloveyou’ is just to make the most unique music I can come up with and make people feel good when they listen to it. That’s the most important thing. I mean, when you start reading YouTube comments, you realize how much the music actually means to somebody and it makes your heart warm.
On your current project, how did you come up with the concept?
I’ve just released the 2-track EP ‘Everybody’s Got 2 Sides’ and thought it would be interesting to cover it since it’s, let’s say, different. Two tracks, seven minutes.
The two tracks contain elements of chillstep/chillwave, post-rock, dark ambient, metalcore, black metal, lo-fi, electronic, etc. So, I don’t know, let’s call it “experimental” music. It’s hard to categorize it – You need to give it a listen to really experience it.
“A journey. ‘Everybody’s Got 2 Sides’ is a 2-Track EP about 2 sides we all have.
SIDE ONE: ‘Okay’ – Not good, not bad. Thinking of all the ‘what if-s’. Your mood most of your life. Just fine.
SIDE TWO: ‘Not Okay’ – Not good, not okay. Getting closer to the end.”
You can give the EP a listen at:
Bandcamp: https://heyiloveyou.bandcamp.com/album/everybodys-got-2-sides-ep-2020
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/everybodys-got-2-sides-single/1540935176
Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?
I believe that insecurity comes in when you haven’t practiced enough. Although, there is always room for improvement.
What are your plans for the near future?
Passive income gives you freedom. The goal is to lock myself inside my home studio and start being lazy – Laziness is great for new ideas and concepts. So, the goal is to continue recording music and reaching more people with new creative material, new genres, and styles of music. Business-wise, I work independently and am not willing to sign with a label that would limit my freedom.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout outs?
One more thing – I would like to give a huge shout-out to Muzique for being so open-minded and for giving chance to independent artists and crazy Croatian people like myself.
How can fans find you?
Social media. Google ‘heyiloveyou’. Search it on YouTube. If I have made you interested in the project, you’ll find it 🙂
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1XYdNwrdyuVlckZTK1irjl
Bandcamp: https://heyiloveyou.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyiloveyou.music/
What suggestions do you have for other artist like yourself?
Wait for the inspiration. Don’t rush things – there is already enough terrible music out there. Work on your craft. Become the best – then start showing it to the world.
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