Connor Fischetti makes music with the kind of warmth that reminds you why bands still matter. In this A&R Factory interview, he opens up about the value of real musicianship in an era increasingly shaped by shortcuts, how technology can support artists without replacing the human feeling behind a song, and how his self-titled album grew once it reached the hands of a full band. There is plenty of soul in the conversation too, from the awkward sweetness of early romance in Don’t Let Me to the influence of Jeff Buckley, Prince, Blur and Bruno Mars on his sound. Fischetti also talks about winning over East Lansing crowds, trusting yourself more than the internet, and making shows that give people a reason to step outside their own heads for a while.
Your band has positioned itself as a staunch rejection of AI music and soulless electro pop. What finally made you think, “Right, we need to put real musicianship back at the center of this”?
I think over the years, modern musicians have gotten better, faster, more precise, and it’s resulted in an era where musicians are inspired by programmed music and electronic pop. I think there’s something amazing about how we’re at the start of a new era, which is a large return to bands with musicians with distinct styles, playing simple parts, or very complicated ones, but as tightly as possible.
Where do you draw the line between technology serving musicians in the studio and technology replacing the human being behind the song?
I think that technology has always served a purpose in terms of creating new styles and modes of musical expression, but the main goal of any piece of technology used in musical production should be as a tool, not as a substitute for human expression. Otherwise it stops being art, at least in my opinion.
Your self-titled album became the foundation for the full band. How did those songs change once you placed them in the hands of musicians with their own personalities and ideas?
I have versions and recordings of the band playing live, and the fluidity of the structures, the improvisation on certain vamps, and the engagement and energy with the musicians can all be felt. I’d love to release those someday.
Don’t Let Me captures the cringe of early romance with incredible honesty. Did one painfully awkward memory inspire it, and did any lyric feel especially exposing to write?
It felt like it was written from a combination of experiences, where early flirting and intrigue put you in such a place of vulnerability. In my way, it felt like I was reflecting back on my first few years in college.
Your live set places Jeff Buckley, Prince, Blur and Bruno Mars beside your original material. What do those cover choices reveal about your musical DNA?
I mean, there’s clearly a soulful connection and link between all of them. These are artists that have always been known for being great frontmen, innovators, and prolific writers, players, and instrumentalists. I take cues from all of them in different ways, a lot having to do with sound selection, mixing and production choices, and vocal and songwriting inspirations.
You built a strong reputation around East Lansing through musicianship and soul-driven sound. What have those local audiences taught you about winning over a room?
This has taught me that people love an elaborate and entertaining show designed to capture their attention and distract them from their lives for an hour or more!
Your album tackles situationships, sex, depression, and emotional turmoil with a cheeky Timberlake-esque wink. If you could make one impression on people dealing with the mess of contemporary reality, what would it be?
That people need to trust themselves more than the internet when making decisions in their lives, because even when they make the wrong choices, at least they’re actually learning the lessons. You also do a much better job at learning what it is you’re seeking from friendships, relationships, casual partners, etc.
Thanks for giving me these fun questions!
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Stream latest singles on Spotify & connect with the artist on Instagram.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
