Meet The Multi-Talented Rising Star… 12AM

Back with a redefined sound, 12AM is an emerging talent that is essential for your music playlist. Originally from Toronto but based in LA, the 22-year-old artist first got his start in 2016 with his single ‘White Winter’. Over the years, he honed his craft and released hit records like ‘Drugs (I Feel Like Dying)’, ‘come over’ and ‘Don’t Hang Up’. Alongside his own music, the young talent has worked with some of the industry’s biggest artists, including Iann Dior, 24kGoldn and Trevor Daniel.

Fast forward to 2021 and 12AM is at his most vulnerable with his brand new After Midnight EP. The record showcases a deeper side to the rising artist with tracks discussing his challenging upbringing, endless hustle, and hard-won elevated life. Described as a record you “play or listen to after midnight” the project exudes a dark and nocturnal production that will leave fans floating through the clouds. We were able to dive deeper into 12AM’s life, his new project After Midnight, and so much more. Read the full interview below.

Hey 12AM! Thanks for sitting down with us! How’s it going?  

I’m good! Just woke up, grabbed a lil Nitro Cold Brew with sweet cream, and I’m ready to rock.

Well first of all congratulations on dropping your new EP. How does it feel to finally have After Midnight released?

Man…it’s bittersweet to be honest. I’m so happy and excited that I could drop this EP but on the other hand, I was so frustrated with how long it took to get this out there. I was just stuck for years and couldn’t drop music. I was in a bad mental state because of it but everything happens for a reason. Now I’m in a position where music can finally come out at ease and with no problems so it’s beautiful to be here and see this drop!

We’ve got to talk about the creative process for the project. Was there a specific theme or idea you wanted to explore?

I wanted to embody every feeling you get After Midnight. Life is usually the most real at that time. You’re either having the time of your life or you’re mad depressed. So I wanted to have all those feelings in one package.

Which track of the record are you most excited for fans to listen to?

I love the intro “Cold Season.” It really just tells my story for the first time in my career and I’m putting it out there for fans. I’m describing what I’ve been through, what I had to deal with for my whole life, and where I’m at now. I wanted to inspire people because I was in a dark place, but things get better and you just gotta push through it.

Your music exudes such a “long night drive” type of energy. How would you personally describe your sound?

Yeah for sure, it comes from those Toronto roots… the city is known for that vibe so I wanted to bring that Toronto sound with me when I moved to LA, but merge it with the people I’m working with out here. I grew up listening to everything from hip-hop, r&b, and rock so I feel like I wanted to hit every genre with this one.

On top of delivering an immersive sound, your songwriting showcases such an emotive and vulnerable side to you. Can you take us through your writing process?

I freestyle everything and record myself. I will usually be in my home studio or at a studio with others and just let out whatever I’m feeling out off the top. If I don’t have the melody in the first 15-20 minutes I’m usually on to the next one. I take my time with lyrics after I find the melody but I don’t like forcing any music.

Taking it back to your childhood, what type of artists did you grow up listening to? Would you say that they had a direct influence on your own artistry?

Grew up listening to a lot of Michael Jackson, Tupac, Eminem, Justin Bieber, Drake, Blink-182, Stevie Wonder, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The Weeknd… they all have had a huge influence on me. I feel like I take everything I listened to as kid and mold it into my music.

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue music full time?

I’d say ever since I was a kid that’s all I ever wanted to do. I dropped out of university because I’d go to class and just sit there writing songs… I was like “there’s no point in fighting this, music is what I need to do.”

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Man… that everything’s going be okay. With my mom being sick and taking care of her, my life was on pause for a long long time. I kinda just shut down and my emotions froze. I was numb. After she passed, I was scared and didn’t really have a clue what to do so I just moved from Toronto to LA. I wish I could have told myself that I was gonna be good… but everything happens for a reason.

Looking ahead, what type of impact do you want to have in the music industry and your fans?

My main focus is just to help people. That’s why I make music. When I get messages from fans saying I’ve helped them through depression or whatever they are going through it means the world to me, I can’t really believe it. That’s what I do this for. Whenever I play a show and fans are singing the lyrics back and when they meet me after the show, I just want to have a positive impact and be there for them, because they are all that matters in this music industry.

Make sure to check out 12AM’s brand EP After Midnight here or below.