An Interview With Edidion

A new album release from Edidion just dropped, and this record is a massive crossover of many genres. As the release unfolds, you get hints at elements of rock, hip hop, afrobeat, pop, R&B, and even more.

The PHOENIX album is the kind of record where you listen to all the tracks. This is an album you check out from beginning to end, all the way through in one shot, because listening to one or two tracks will not give you the spectrum of what the album has to offer as a whole.

There are most certainly singles that stand on their own two feet like "Reckless Lover", which is a smooth R&B style track with layers of great backing vocals and soul oozing out of every note.

This single actually introduces the record and does a great job of that because there are certain staples that stay strong throughout the course of the full album.

But again, there are so many different styles and approaches throughout this record, and the glue that holds them together is his vocals.

There's also some great honesty and certain descriptive lyrics on tracks as well, which lets you dive deeper into the character and personality behind it all, and I can tell you right now, this record has loads of personality to soak in.

Some of my favorite stuff on this record is tracks like "1:00 AM", which brings in some great guitar work and elements of rock undertone but sticks to this almost vintage sort of 80s R&B and pop vibe.

Listening to songs like this lets you know that he's got a lot of different influences under his belt that helped create this record.

The album features a ton of really inventive and unique lyrical phrasing, which is another one of his actual staples.

 His wording throughout this record is incredible, and while he can be descriptive or detailed, it also has a natural and forward-moving flow to it almost all the time.

This was a banger of a release, and there are songs for almost everyone here.

A lot of these tracks have vast undertones that make them feel almost cinematic, along with super smooth and silky tonality and deep-rooted grooves that you can't help but get pulled into.

This is clearly coming from an artist who pays a lot of attention to detail when creating a record like this, but throughout it all, he never does lose that personality that begins with in the first place, and that may be the most important aspect of the entire thing.

It's been a long time since I've heard a record with this much smooth diversity that comes across so seamlessly and with such great authenticity that you can't turn away from it.

Again, I suggest listening to this one all the way through from start to finish.

When you do it this way, you can take in all the layers and textures that the record offers, as there are tons of that vastness in some of the songs and notes that float through the ethers of others.

As a matter of fact, listening with headphones is one of the absolute best ways to do it.

There are a lot of layers going on with these tracks, and although you end up paying a lot of attention to the lyrical content, the music is really what sets the moods.

This record has a lot of moods to it, and that brings us back to the whole character behind it all.

You can tell that a lot of these tracks serve almost like chapters in the artist's life, and that he puts pieces of himself into his music all the time.

This was an awesome release and super well woven.

With the release of such a beautiful record, we wanted to chat with Edidion to find out where this all came from and what might be coming up next.

Here's what happened.

BUZZ SLAYERS: Let's talk about PHOENIX EP! This was such a layered record with elements of smooth R&B but also up swing and vivacious approaches too!! Where did this record come from?

"'PHOENIX' is the result of me navigating heartbreak, depression, and feeling like a failure. I moved away from the initial idea of creating radio friendly party songs, opting instead for vulnerability and honesty to connect with listeners through shared experiences and showcase my growth as a singer-songwriter. The EP’s title 'PHOENIX' is a metaphor for how music saved me and took me out of the dark place I was in.

BUZZ SLAYERS: How did it all really start for you as an artist?

My passion for music and dance was present since the day I was born. After I finished high school I decided to pursue a career in the music industry. I invested in music production software, bought a cheap microphone and started experimenting with producing, writing and recording songs. Those early SoundCloud days weren't exactly polished, but the positive response I got was really encouraging. So I continued to perfect my craft, release music, perform live and put myself out there.

BUZZ SLAYERS: I'm hearing a few different approaches on this record! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Usher, Craig David, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, and Prince are my biggest musical influences.

BUZZ SLAYERS:  Are you performing live right now? Any touring in support of this release?

Connecting with people live is a real passion of mine, and I perform often. Stay updated on my upcoming shows by following me on social media or visiting my website: www.edidionmusic.com. To watch my latest live performances, check out my YouTube channel: YouTube.com/officialedidion.

BUZZ SLAYERS: Did you record this in a home studio setup, or did you go to a big studio for this?

Recording 'PHOENIX' in various London studios was a fantastic experience that I will never forget and cherish. I find the collaborative process with the engineers really fun. Bouncing ideas and receiving their guidance allows the songs to really evolve in a way that's different from my solo work at home. The feeling of building a track together from scratch is magical.

BUZZ SLAYERS: Now that this is out, what's next for you as an artist?

I'm really focused on promoting 'PHOENIX as much as I can and shooting some music videos to bring the songs to life. Beyond the music, I'm also committed to using my platform to advocate for mental health, as demonstrated by my recent partnership with the UK charity MIND for Men's Health Awareness month – a cause that is very important to me and also aligns with the messages on my EP.

BUZZ SLAYERS: Who's in your headphones right now?

Norah Jones, Beyoncé, P.M. Dawn and Feeder.

BUZZ SLAYERS: Was writing and recording this EP a big undertaking? How long did it take to finish this?

It took me one year to complete 'PHOENIX,' which allowed the project to evolve naturally through multiple studio sessions, careful mixing, and mastering. My goal was to create a collection of songs I could stand behind wholeheartedly, free of any regrets, regardless of chart performance or sales.

I sat with the songs, played them for my friends, and genuinely had fun making it; I didn’t want any outside pressures to affect my joy and creativity in the studio.

BUZZ SLAYERS: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?

To my day one squad #TeamEdidion thank you for the constant support! Big shoutout to all the DJs, blogs, and platforms that have promoted and supported 'PHOENIX' – it means the world to me. 

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

SPOTIFY

TIKTOK