Alluring, captivating and sensual, the New York-born and London-based queer performance artist Garrett Paknis is arguably one of the year’s most transformative talents. Following a string of releases throughout 2021, Garrett has finished the year on a definitive high, sharing his most exquisite release yet, the gorgeous ‘Paris’.
Effortlessly blending elements of house, dance and electronic music with his hypnotic vocals, ‘Paris’ showcases Garrett’s natural gift for storytelling, combining heartfelt prose with an innovative and undeniably emotive sound. Along with the release, Garrett has also shared an artistic visual experience that was filmed in the streets of Paris, creating a heightened sense of excitement within the release.
Arguably one of the most exciting new performers on the scene, we couldn’t wait to get to know Garrett a little better and find out just what makes him such an entrancing talent.
Wonderful to meet you, Garrett, we’ve heard so much about your releases throughout the year, and it’s so exciting to get to speak with you. Your latest single has been taking the world by storm, but where did it all begin for you?
“Well, I started playing the violin as a kid and a bit of piano! I also started writing poetry and stories around the same time. There was a time of my teens when I sort of turned a blind eye to it, to chase athletics and then later the party life, but you can never escape what you are. It found me again.”
Can you tell us a bit about your new track?
“It’s an adventure, starting out with an acoustic guitar and then building into a French Disco banger. It’s questioning what would have happened if you could go back in time and change the direction of a relationship… and the music brings you on a journey, with lots of layers, too.”
Everyone seems to have a different sense for your music, and it’s been described as a true hybrid sound, but how would you describe it?
“Seductive, raw, fun, unique, and fresh.”
Where do you draw your inspiration from for a sound like that?
“My life and my writing - it all comes down to my storytelling, which is influenced by relationships, my deep spiritual life, and the travel and living across different continents I’ve done in the past 10 years.”
How does that build into a release? What’s your process?
“I write everywhere and all the time. I’m always carrying a pen and pad, and my voice notes has hundreds of melodies and snippets. I’ll usually take something I wrote and then make music around it, though lately, I am having fun producing a track, and then writing for that. I guess there’s no direct answer! If I had too much of a formula, I’d get bored by life. I need spice to keep me nice!”
With ‘Paris’ making waves, what’s next for you as an artist?
“A couple of really cool collaborations, and to grow my live performance set up to go from just my dancing and performing, to having my synths and drum machines, etc, on stage and doing it all live…”
What would your dream collaboration be?
“FKA Twigs and I’m always told that our styles, while seemingly very different, are of a similar ‘soul’. I’d have to agree.”
Finally, one last question before you go, what advice would you give to band’s who are looking to make it big?
“Chase your feelings, and only post what’s authentic and what you’re inspired to. If you want to take some time off from social, take it, and don’t stress… just have fun, and if you can’t have fun doing it, then it’s not for you.”
Having grown up in New York City, Garrett has been “moaning poetry” into microphones since his teenage years and brings a soulful energy to his house-infused dance music which contains raw and vulnerable yet conscious lyricism. To date, Garrett has built up a fanbase of over 80.000 followers and listeners across his platforms, as well as amassing over 2,000,000 streams and has performed in venues all over the world, all as a completely independent artist.
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