Editor’s Note: This interview with Chris Webby was conducted via email. Questions and answers may have been cleaned up for grammar and clarity, however, the content has not been altered.
[Samantha Warren/AltWire]: I first wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this e-mail interview with me today. I know you’re getting ready for your upcoming tour. What are you most excited about being on the road again?
Chris Webby: Connecting with my fans is always an amazing experience, and performing itself is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Not too excited for all the early morning drives ahead, but that’s the nature of the game. Ups and downs.
[AW]: You release content every week for an upcoming project. Can you tell me anything about that?
Chris Webby: #WebbyWednesday has been going since March and will continue out for the rest of the year. Basically, I’ve been dropping new music, videos, or merch every single Wednesday since I started it. It’s been a lot of work, but I spent many months prepping so I would always be several steps ahead of myself. The momentum I’m feeling right now is phenomenal.
[AW]: In your early years you self-released a lot of your music. What was it like adjusting to a label afterward? How has your sound evolved since your first L.P.?
Chris Webby: I only signed a one-album deal with E One which was years ago, and they’re an indie label. Aside from that brief time, I’ve always been, and remain to be, the definition of indie in its purest form. No industry support, no financial backing, no nothing. I’m fully self-funded by re-investing what I generate. Surviving so long in the game like that has made me tough, and I’ve learned a lot about the business side by necessity. It’s not easy being an indie artist and having to keep funding a full-blown rap career, but I still have plenty of fight in me. The evolution of my sound is just the natural course of my creativity and life in general changing along the way.
[AW]: If you had to make a playlist of songs from all of your albums, what songs stand out the most to you and why would you pick them?
Chris Webby: I would definitely put “So Eazy” on there. That’s like my theme song. I feel like if I was a superhero, I’d enter the screen to that song. Also, one of my newer songs “Little Man” would be on that list too. I approached that song differently than any other before it and I just love how that one turned out. Hits you right in the feels.
[AW]: When you write your music, what is that process like for you? What goes into writing a song and where does your inspiration come from?
Chris Webby: Inspiration can come from anywhere. It’s important to keep living life and exposing yourself to new and exciting situations so you never feel stale and predictable. Everyone gets writer’s block though. Anytime I do, I put it down for however long and go do some fun stuff and let my mojo recharge.
[AW]: Were there any songs left off the album (or albums) you wish you had included? Was the order of the songs you picked to release particularly meaningful for you?
Chris Webby: I’ve definitely used some level of strategy in the order of the songs that have been released this year, especially over the summer. Certain songs just had that full-on summer vibe, so I wanted to make sure those ones got out there in time for all the backyard barbecues and beach party scenarios that people always need a solid playlist of music for. I’m going to round out the year with a lot of super lyrical stuff in the final months of the year for sure though.
[AW]: With the music industry constantly changing and social media having a big impact, how has it affected you and your career? If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be?
Chris Webby: Social networks have taken over the industry, which is a blessing and a curse. It’s great that it’s become even easier to reach so many different people on all these platforms, but I HATE the fact that I need to be on my phone all the time. Another big shift in the industry that I’ve watched happen is the migration of listeners to all these streaming services. I’m not mad at it, but it took some adjusting. I was part of the mixtape era, so the whole concept was foreign to me. In the long run, it generates me more money though. And that’s always a good thing.
[AW]: Any last words?
Chris Webby: Follow me at @RealChrisWebby on Instagram and ForTheBurbs on YouTube to stay up to date on all the #WebbyWednesday content still to come this year. Much love!
