Landon Fleischman, also known as Boy Willows, grew up in the state of Maryland, before relocating to Los Angeles. Landon makes a combination of folk, jazz, indie R&B, and pop music. His sound is beautiful and unique so I thought it was only right to talk to the mastermind behind the incredible music.
You recently collaborated with Elais Park, who is someone else you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Hmmm, I don’t know if he’s my number 1, but Mura Masa is just so damn good at bringing out the best in his featured artists, I think that would be up there for me. Also this artist Infinite Bisous is one of my music idols, to work with him would be dreamy.
What’s your favourite song you’ve ever written?
I’d have to say this song I wrote when I was probably 15? It was called “no wonder” and it was the first time I wrote a song that felt really both personally honest and sonically catchy. It was really folksy. It’s the kind of song you could play by yourself or with a band and it would be equally compelling.
Is there a Boy Willows album on the horizon at all?
Oooooooo. 2020 babayy. Nothing official yet, but I’ve been quiet for a minute cuz i’ve been stocking up on the tunes. So we shall see.
You’re always a music recommendation from me, who are some bands or artists you’re loving at the moment who you’d like to recommend?
Love it. To repeat one, Infinite Bisous, you gotta listen to him. So dreamy and atmospheric but funky at the same time. Munya is another dope artist, she also has a large amount of funk / shoegaze vibes. Also I recently just discovered Margo Guryan, this 60s songwriter who has some real nice bops.
Is there something/someone specific that inspired you to start making music?
I think it’s a combination of my dad, The Beatles and the movie School Rock. Pretty basic sounding answer but it’s the truth. My dad would always play classic soul and funk in the car and I loved that. The other two are pretty self explanatory haha.
What can we expect from you in 2020?
I’m gonna be traveling a lot for work (non-boy willows work). But I’m really gunning for a little boy willows tour of my own, some fancy ass BW merch and a buttload of songs and videos with the help of my friend Nikoli.
You played Resident in LA in August, are you planning on playing any other live shows in the near future?
Ok so there isn’t technically anything on the books yet, but once these songs start rolling out i’m gonna really want to play them live. Hopefully people want to hear them live too.
What’s the usual ‘day in the life’ of Boy Willows?
Wake up either really early or really late, walk downstairs in a bathrobe and play guitar to see if I remember the song I wrote last night. Then normal sh*t, run errands, call some people, eat some food, do a never ending load of laundry and lock myself in the studio and have some music fun.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Try your best to understand why you’re doing something. For me, it’s two things: first, I need to be my own therapist and making music provides that. And 2nd, because I really enjoy the feeling when something that feels deeply honest/ unique to me speaks to others. It’s so assuring that everyone’s connected.
So if you want to be an artist, try to figure out why you want to be and that will greatly inform you on how to go about getting it. IDK??!?!?!?!?!?