SXSW Pop: What inspired the concept behind your latest project?

The Reckless Nights: I'm fascinated with "melancholy" as a theme, most notably because we all experience it. This familiar feeling is easy to interpret, which makes it all the more interesting to see how you can distort and expand it into a narrative. "Rain" was an attempt to create this love ballad which plays with themes of secrecy and unrequited emotions. The melody came about from this guitar line I was working on for three months, the lyrics all fell into place when I started to play it as a warm up before sessions!

SXSW Pop: What’s your approach to creating a unique sound?

The Reckless Nights: Chasing originality is super important to my creative process. Constructing the rhythmic elements of a song is the very first step I take into getting the general idea of how I want the rest of the track to sound like. This can come from a number of different influences, such as playing a certain guitar through an effects chain I had rigged up, or playing a chord progression through an old casio keyboard, and sometimes it can be a melodic line which has been on repeat in my head.

SXSW Pop: What’s your favorite part of the recording process?

The Reckless Nights: Truth be told, I love everything about the recording process! I don't know whether I am more obsessed with playing music, or learning about the behind the scenes production on how my favorite artists crafted their tones. I am very deliberate when it comes to choosing sounds and instruments to incorporate into my songs, I spend weeks and often months trying to experiment with various playing styles and tone selections to help influence the direction I want to go.

SXSW Pop: How do you define happiness and fulfillment in your life and career?

The Reckless Nights: I think taking time and devoting it to what makes you content in life is the first step in achieving happiness. For me, the ability to express myself through music and simply playing songs that mean something to mean is truly transcendental. I think the simple reason I'm so comfortable when playing music is because it connects to every moment that has been significant in my life. I'm not sure whether I can call it my purpose, but based on how it makes me feel, I think there is a sense of unity.

SXSW Pop: What’s the most significant change you’ve seen in yourself since starting your music career?

The Reckless Nights: I feel like looking back now, when I first started out in the music scene, I was unsure what kind of image I wanted to represent and what kind of style I wanted to explore. But through trial and experimenting, I found a sense of comfortability when I allowed my vulnerabilities to merge with the sense of confidence I tried to portray through the music. I think that duality had a lot to do with inner acceptance and assurance, and because of that I think I channeled it back into my songs.

SXSW Pop: Have there been any pivotal moments or turning points in your career?

The Reckless Nights: I think a turning point in my career was when I noticed my music started to attract a decent amount of following. Connecting with my audience has allowed me to gain a larger understanding of trends and helped craft a certain aesthetic behind the band's vision. The encouragement I have felt through the many kind messages I receive from people who are interested in my compositions, help fuel my desire to continue my dreams of becoming a songwriter.

SXSW Pop: How do you deal with self-doubt or moments of insecurity?

The Reckless Nights: Every artist has had their fair share of insecure moments, and through experience and willpower, I think it all comes down to how far you are willing to chase your passions. I noticed in the moments when my self-doubt starts to get the best of me, I lose the ability to communicate honestly through my music. Noticing these patterns within myself helps to regulate my work and allow for rest and recuperation. Your work should come through naturally, and most of my compositions which I have felt the most proud of were from moments in which I allowed a clear head to navigate the workflow.

SXSW Pop: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about making music?

The Reckless Nights: The best advice I have received in relation to songwriting has been to keep writing. I think especially in moments of self doubt, we lose the stamina to continue with our desire to create art. Writing a "bad song" doesn't destroy your career, nor does writing a mediocre album. I believe it is whether the artist is willing to still try and attempt to make something new, that they come closer to achieve the goals they set out to accomplish.

SXSW Pop: How do you feel when you hear someone singing along to your songs?

The Reckless Nights: There is no better feeling than when someone is singing back the song you have written in your room, it's truly a surreal experience. That connection between artist and audience is something like magic, and lyrics are something which is very important to me. I first started as a lyricist before I could even play an instrument, so having someone learn the words to which you have written is like a dream come true! I have read about those instances in magazines and in books.

SXSW Pop: What legacy do you hope to leave with your music?

The Reckless Nights: The legacy I hope to leave with my music is to challenge yourself in whatever your pursuits are. I feel like music has been my calling ever since I can remember, there were times where things just fell into place so perfectly that I am truly grateful to be where I am currently. I hope my honesty/"humanness" and my feelings of free will to expand oneself can be felt through the songs. I admire artists that try to stay authentically themselves through the art they create, my songs are in attempt in the same vein.