Hey Loui, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. Could you tell us a little known fact about yourself?

Lots of little known facts that’s for sure. But I can tell you that I LOVE building stuff.I love to arrange rooms in terms of colors, furnitures and decorations or lightning. I built 3 home studios prior to my current one, and people that are coming in always have a ‘’that’s so cool and unique’’ type of comments. I also did an elevated/raised garden bed for my veggies and all. It’s really soothing, and it’s tangible in the end, you know ?

Can you talk about the emotions that shaped your new EP, Middleman, and especially how you translated anger into sound?

That’s a tricky one, because I always had a feeling of justice that was never really satisfied. When I was young, I often went to demonstrations, whether that be of a neglectful government new law or to stand with the world on what we think is the rightful thing to do. MiddleMan was a way to express that fight that always has been going, an outlet for my anger of late. I’ve contained it for so long since I just started being more grounded, connected and also wiser/older in the last five years or so.

I just needed to say out loud that, people’s evasive behaviors towards a peer, whether it be in the music industry, at work or hell, even in a sports team should always be replaced by honesty and truth. I got lied to, I’ve had so, so many false promises made to me. I got drive, I want something, I go get it. If you’re not to be apart of this, I need you to state it out as clear as day. Not feed me a lie to protect your ego from failure because you won’t be coming through, or that you’re not organized enough and it clouds your decisions.

Again, life is what it is. MiddleMan allowed me to make peace with my fights. It was a way to grow as an artist, a producer, but also say : I’m aware that happened, now my focus’s back on me.

Many of your songs critique the way artists navigate social media and self-promotion. How do you personally balance authenticity with the pressures of visibility?

Again, tricky. Great question. No matter where or what parts of the world you’re in, you won’t be popular in your hometown until you win elsewhere. Many artists from the province are going for the social media game, as if it’s now the only legitimate way of getting known. While it is very true in some aspects, people just forget that they need to go out there. Doing shows, events, connect with people outside the screen. Some of them REALLY use GIMMICKS to trick people into watching them ! IT’S WILD !! That’s my perspective, people do themselves, sure, but what about the people listening ? Who said : I got hooked to that artist by the clickbait he used on his video. It’s the same recycle sh*t, and people NOTICE that, they’re not dumb. They don’t interact because it’s repetitive and non-original.

In the end, maybe I don’t know nothing. Maybe it’s because I’m from an older generation and that’s the new thing now. But for me, the way I balance things, is just by doing whatever I want. If I’m to do content, well, I’ll do it my way. I ain’t no copycat, I’m an artist, I’m supposed to be inspired to innovate. I post what I love : Pictures from moments I was in, parts from my music videos or a short skit. I’m into cinema. I go with my passions. Not by what brings in views. It will come in due time when it will come, and if it don’t, well, okay ! I did what I wanted for the sake of the arts.

What are the biggest challenges and rewards of being a one-man creative force?

Forgetting stuff. Lol. Really though, the biggest challenge simply lies in the fact that you gotta wear so many hats and, with the hat, comes different macro and micro aspects. The biggest reward is when I do got an occasion to talk about this with people, they’re very impressed by the efforts and the commitment. I also got tangible things to show them, so it’s not just words. The music really speaks for itself ! I just can’t wait to find a manager lol.

Does your studio, The Aquarium, also contribute to how you create?

Yes, most definitely. In a world where you ask EVERYBODY that came through The Aquarium, they came out of there with a new/enhanced skill. They just got better. They trust me and I trust them. I’m not scared to push an artist to somewhere he’s never been, because that’s when you create incredible pieces. And people really come out of this sanctuary saying that it changed them. They feel comfortable, they never felt like that even in a high-end studio.

It’s a man cave, a creative space, a place to be myself. I love other studios, but mine is really like a home to me. I sleep there often lol. 

What quote or line best sums up the journey behind Middleman?

I’d say, it’s the one in Alfred Pennyworth that goes : ‘’ See being a Middleman is a good thing and a bad thing but it’s a great thing. If fate wanted me to be the Middleman, then it wouldn’t give me a chance to fight for mine’’.

That one’s everything. I really got lost in my anger. It just grows so much, so fast. It tinted the way I stepped and I don’t want that. Not with the goals I have with this music thing. I’m relieved it came out, because, believe or not, it instantly brought me peace because I said what was was needed for me to go on, and be better.

What’s next for the project?

Lots of EP’S, merchandise, shows organised by HizzleMindRecords. A complete takeover !
Album is still sleeping, I got all the beats, it’s just not the right time to put it out. I don’t rush, by I just went from a marathon to a triathlon level of commitment.

Follow Loui Grandson on Instagram.