Interview with Billy Potts

By Micheal Kaiser
Music Journalist

This past weekend, I had the privilege of interviewing Billy Potts. After hearing Billy sing live at a mutual friend’s house, I was blown away and wanted to conduct this interview.

Billy is an amazingly talented singer and songwriter who is majoring in general studies with concentrations in English, communication studies and pop culture at Texas State University.

He recently released a new single called “The Happenings” and is currently working on a project titled The Green Room. You can hear more of Billy’s music and stay up to date with his discography through Spotify.

Michael Kaiser: When did you decide that you wanted to make music?

Billy Potts: Probably when I was in seventh grade. I had a live performance with a friend and that’s when I decided that I liked performing and being on stage. We performed “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5.

MK: Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?

BP: I would have to say Solange, Blood Orange and Mac Miller.

MK: How would you describe the music you create?

BP: Very sexy and sophisticated, like grown folk’s music.

MK: What is your favorite music genre?

BP: The music I make is R&B, but I also like to sing pop. When I’m listening to music, I like to listen to alternative or chill music.

MK: Tell me about some of your favorite songs that you’ve created.

BP: “7eaven” is definitely one of my favorite songs. Also, my newest song “The Happenings” and “Fake Love.”

MK: What do you think your music says about you?

BP: My music is provocative, and I think it shows that I’m bold and confident.

MK: If you could perform with one other artist, who would it be and why?

BP: Definitely Ariana Grande because I know if I performed with her, she won’t mess it up.

MK: What is your creative process like?

BP: Sometimes I’m inspired by my surroundings and what’s going on in my life. I wrote one song after I had surgery, and I’ve had other songs come to me in my dreams. Sometimes I’ll go to record something and it comes out completely different than what I intended but I keep it anyway. The more I create the more patient I become with myself.

MK: How have you developed your talent since you first started?

BP: My music has calmed down since I started. I used to make music and I felt like I needed to do everything at once. Now, I’m more comfortable hearing myself and being exposed, and my music has become more vulnerable and more explicit.

MK: Where do you draw inspiration from?

BP: I get my inspiration from personal experiences, break-ups and failures. I’m very analytical and observant, and I have a good ear, so I like to sit down and analyze songs beneath the surface level.

MK: Are you working on anything currently?

BP: So, I just dropped my single “The Happenings” and I’m working on another project right now called The Green Room. I’ve been working on this for about two years now, and that’s all I’m going to say about it for now.

MK: If you could offer some advice for other artists, what would it be?

BP: Be intentional with your time. You can’t always work, and not all of your time can be used to record or produce. Sometimes you have to wait until you have free time so that you can dedicate all that time to creating.

Featured image by Devin Richard.