YOUTHYEAR – ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AND IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW
By Ralph Beauchamp
Youthyear is the alter ego of the extremely talented artist, songwriter and producer, Eric Paquette. Youthyear recently released his second single entitled “21 Ways My Life Is Great” which will be featured on his upcoming EP. The song is truly ambitious. It delivers an infectious poppy feel with punky undertones. The melodious track explores a romantic breakup in a genuinely singular fashion. The light melodies and groove laden choruses hides a biting testimonial to a dysfunctional lover. The dicodemy is simply beautiful. His debut single, “Basement” is another killer track that reaffirms Youthyear‘s strong songwriting and inventive craftmanship.
Youthyear and rock legend Carlo Colasacco co-wrote and co-produced “21 Way”. The pair have collaborated on a myriad of galvanic tracks. Youthyear has also collaborated with such illustrious artist such as Lit, Dashboard Confessional, Letdown and Michigander. In addition, he has shared the stage with The Misfits, Jimmy Eat World and Panic! At The Disco. The imaginative video for “21 Ways” was co-directed by Nick Stafford (All Time Low/Boys Like Girls). The video is both fun and whimsical but still possesses a biting undertone. Youthyear will be the breakout artist of 2024 and “21 Ways” this year’s summer smash.
Youthyear was kind enough to spend a few moments with AMP for this cool in-depth interview.
AMP: What made you want to become a musician?
YOUTHYEAR: When I realized I couldn’t be a super hero. Once I understood I couldn’t fly or be a Ninja Turtle, becoming a rock star was my next choice. I was always drawn to music. It was around 8 when I started to play the guitar but because i was so hyperactive I prefered things like karate. Actually, I remember smashing that guitar against a tree. Around 10, I saved up my own money and brought a new guitar and this time I stuck with it. I never looked back.
AMP: You’re a songwriter, producer and an artist. How does the dynamic work for each?
YOUTHYEAR: Well, first and foremost I am an artist. I kind of fell into producing when the band I was in growing up went pretty far. We actually showcased for a few labels. It didn’t work out but when the group broke up, I seriously got into songwriting just to hone my craft. After working with a few outside producers, it seemed a cool world to be in. I really got into that producer mode for a while. All the while, still working on my own projects.
A lot of songs I had written for myself ended up on other artists’ recordings. Even though I wear a lot of hats, I mostly create for myself but when another artist is interested in a track, I start tailoring it to their musical style but it all genuinely starts with me writing for me.
AMP: You’ve collaborated with a bevy of top tier artists like Lit and Dashboard Confessional. How has that experience been?
YOUTHYEAR: I grew up on bands like Lit and Dashboard and it was a full circle moment working with both of them. My first band actually covered “My Own Worst Enemy”. Working with Lit happened at the spur of the moment. I had just moved to Nashville. My fiance and I were shopping when I got a call from a friend and he said “I’m working a session with Lit and I pitched them one of our ideas. They liked it and need you over right now.” So, I didn’t even have time to get nervous. They were like my heroes growing up. A Place In The Sun is one of my favorite albums.
I get there and did what I had to do and it turns out they are these amazing guys. We instantly became great friends. The song came out really well and then we worked on another one. We were six songs deep when they asked if we wanted to finish the record with them. I’m very grateful to be given that opportunity. Dashboard was the same scenario. I got to work with Chris Carrabba and he is the best which was very refreshing. Sometimes you meet your idols and it’s not such a great experience but Chris is not that way. He’s totally genuine and a true artist. He is so passionate about his craft.
AMP: Can you describe your creative process?
YOUTHYEAR: It’s a mess (laughing). Generally I try to focus on the melody. In addition, I try to write my lyrics freeform. I sometimes jot down lyrics while sitting on a park bench or taking a jog. I just let my thoughts fly. So, when I get that cool melody, I can peruse my list of lyrics to see if something pairs up. If I get excited by a certain melody I then want to take it to the next level and start demoing it. That’s how I actually got into production. I learned how to demo my own ideas.
I’m good at getting the vocals and guitar parts down. Being a Tom Petty fan, I’m drawn to simple approach of “don’t bore us, get to the chorus” that he mastered. Once the vocals and guitars are done, I start adding things. Working with other producers has helped me find my own style and eventually turned my insecurities into confidence.
AMP: Your new single “21 Ways My Life Is Great” has a cool poppy feel yet the lyrics are about a relationship break up. Does this come from a real life experience?
YOUTHYEAR: Yes it does! Not naming names but it’s something out of my life. There are break up songs that remain sad and forlorn but we (Carlo Colassacco) wanted this song to have somewhat of a more sarcastic feel. Here again, the melody came first and then we started tossing ideas around. As usual, the song came out of nowhere. We rode into it and used our collective experiences to build the tune. That’s one good thing about collaboration, you can bounce ideas back and forth. The song was something both of us lived through.
AMP: Speaking of Carlo Calassacco, you co-wrote and co-produced “21 Ways” with him. How did that happen?
YOUTHYEAR: Carlo and I go way back. When my band broke up, Carlo was one of the first musicians I started collaborating with. I would take bus trips from Springfield, Ma to NYC almost monthly to work with him. Soon it turned into weekly excursions until I just started to crash on his couch. Now he’s also down here in Nashville. We haven’t stop working together. If fact, we have several songs with a new artist named Letdown who’s currently charting in Billboard.
AMP: The video for “21 Ways” is extremely bright and cheery. Was that on purpose?
YOUTHYEAR: It was inspired by videos like “Buddy Holly” by Weezer and Nirvana’s “In Bloom”. I love that bands from the 90s filmed their versions in a 50s setting. I wanted something funny and sarcastic to fit the tone of the song. Also, I like that bands like the Foo Fighters don’t take video shoots too seriously.
We actually filmed it in Lit’s singer Ajay’s house called The Atomic Inn. Everything you see is authentic to the era. His wife and Ajay really decked the place out. It’s in Nashville and anybody can rent it out for a video or photo shoot. They are constantly changing things around. In addition, they have another hanger in the back they can use for other projects.
Nick Stafford co-directed the video with me. We really worked on the story line. I also styled it. I selected all the outfits and Gabby (my fiance) and Ajay’s wife handled wardrobe on the set.
AMP: Originally you are from Western MA. When and why the move to Nashville?
YOUTHYEAR: Why? because I felt I hit a ceiling in Western MA. There wasn’t a large songwriter scene there. There are great bands and a live music scene in the area but for what I needed not so much. I started taking trips down to Nashville once every other month. Then, once a month turned into twice a month and then the idea of moving to Nashville became an obsession. I was turned on by the fact that there is this huge alternative/rock scene blossoming here. I was ready to move in 2019 but we all know what happened then. But by 2020, my fiance and I took the plunge. Now or never.
AMP: Any plans for a EP or full length?
YOUTHYEAR: I just released my second single. A third will go out in a few weeks. After the fourth track, I will put out a 7 song EP with 3 unreleased songs. My goal is to drop it by the end of the summer. Actually, I switched up my next single to an acoustic tune. I felt it fits better after “21 Ways”. That’s the beauty of being independent, you have total control. My team and I seem always to be on the same page. That really helps.
AMP: What’s next for Youthyear?
YOUTHYEAR: Music! Getting new material out and doing everything I can to promote it like making more videos. When the EP comes out, I’m thinking of having two release concerts. One in Nashville and the other in MA. There is also a tour in the works for the fall. In addition, I’m totally ahead of the game. I’m already writing music for my next project.
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