In a unique project releasing tomorrow, October 1st, 11 independent pop artists are coming together to bring you an all-new compilation album of catchy, original pop music called “Young Pop Renegades 2021: Origin”. Spearheaded and dreamed up by pop/EDM artist Matthew Parker, the project includes heavy hitters Sajan Nauriyal, Neon Feather, and Chris Howland as well as others, and lyrically covers many “young” topics that relate to finding yourself, having dreams for your life, and being who you were meant to be. The album is made up of largely 2-artist collaborations and a few solo artist tracks, but also includes what the artists have dubbed a “mega collab” as the final track, a massive collaboration made by all 11 artists on the record–7 vocalists and 5 producers.
I connected with all of the artists involved with the project to find out the origins of Origin with 3 original questions (and, yes, I enjoyed writing that!). Here’s part 1, with part 2 being posted tomorrow on release day and part 3 will be posted on Monday (just you wait to see Monday’s article!!).
What made you want to be a part of this project?
NITRO X
@nitrox_music
I was honoured when Matthew reached out to me, and honestly I was so excited to be a part of this, I instantly said yes! As a new producer Matthew has really believed in me, and my potential, and this was an awesome opportunity I couldn’t turn down. Also, a lot of these artists, (Neon Feather, Sajan, Chris Howland and Matthew) I’ve been a huge fan of for a long time, not to mention all of the others I’ve met recently on this record, and to be a part of something with all these amazing guys is just incredible!
SAM BOWMAN
@sambowmanmusic
Matthew put a gun to my head and told me to make music. I didn’t have much of a choice. Just kidding. Kinda. Matthew did approach me pretty early on to hop on board (without a firearm) and I was super excited to join in. Many of these dudes are dear friends of mine, and I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a unifying project. Music is best enjoyed together!
NEON FEATHER
@neonfeathermusic
Always love projects built around community – also just love any excuse to make music.
BEN LAWRENCE
@benlawrencemusic
I really wanted to be a part of the project because a lot of the people who were already on it are my friends. Last minute, I was in town near Matt and we made “Merry Go Round.” It was my goal this year to work with him and even better he said it would fit on the album. Then another good friend Sam Bowman hit me up for vocals for our song “Summer Was Fun” and even better that had granted me two spots plus the last song on Young Pop Renegades.
JSTEPH
@jsteph.music
I first heard about the Young Pop Renegades project when Matthew approached me with the idea this past summer. The first thing I thought was “Woah…this is like the Avengers, but with even cooler music people!” Needless to say, I was completely down once hearing about Matt’s vision, the people involved, and the opportunity to write a creative and fun pop song.
SAJAN NAURIYAL
@sajannauriyal
I’m really intrigued by the idea of a collaboration album, and I’m really inspired by every person on this project. I really think it’s something special.
MATIAS RUIZ
@matiasruizmusic
For me Matthew Parker always has been a huge inspiration in how he makes music, so when he invited me to join the album I just accepted immediately.
XANDER SALLOWS
@xandersallows
I wanted to be a part of this project because all the artists on this project have built an awesome community, and they’re insanely talented. I believe young pop renegades will grow to be a very impactful album series, and it’s a huge honor to be invited to be a part of the first edition.
JACOB STANIFER
@jacobstanifermusic
Such an incredible team of artists and people—and then to be able to make music and share a vision together is just the coolest. Collaboration is such a vital part of creativity in music, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen it done at this scale. It was such a fun opportunity to be a part of this project!
CHRIS HOWLAND
https://www.youtube.com/chrishowlandofficial
I ALMOST didn’t get to be involved in the project actually! When Matthew had initially pitched me the idea, I was sort of buried under a pile of other songs that I was working on. But of course I ignored my apprehensions and swan dived right into the project because it was just too intriguing to have this many people working on one big thing together.
MATTHEW PARKER
@matthewparkermusic
This project was actually my “brainchild”, as they call it. I was partly inspired to make this album by a yearly compilation I was a part of back in my “EDM-only” days as an artist. But Young Pop Renegades would of course be pop music instead of EDM or dubstep. I get really excited about the opportunity to bring a bunch of artists together for a very cool project like this!
Be sure to check back tomorrow for part 2 where we find out more about the tracks the artists created for the project.
