Two years ago, Christian French, a hockey lover and Fisher, Indiana native, put his pre-med textbooks on the shelf forever to follow his true passion using his music to share his perspectives on life. Today, Christian has become America’s indie-pop prince. Starting out with covers on Soundcloud, emulating his favorites JohnMayer, Gavin DeGraw, and Adam Levine, Christian eventually dropped out of Indiana University and migrated to Los Angeles to pursue his dream.
We got the chance to chat with this rising star and learn more about his new music and story.
Unheard Gems: We are so excited to talk to the one and only Christian French, how are you today! Christian French: I’m good - “i think too much” just came out and I’m so excited that it’s finally out for the world to hear. I’ve been cooped up inside my house for the past month and am ready to spend time outside and with my friends again, but we’re all going through this together.
Unheard Gems: I always like to kick off our interviews with learning a bit more about the artist I am talking to. What is your musical origin story, how have you become the Christian French we are talking to today? Christian French: I had a friend that came into choir class in 6th grade and showed me a cover he had learned on the piano from YouTube. I was so amazed that he learned the whole thing from YouTube so I decided to try - within a few months I was getting the hang of it and started singing while playing. I had learned a bunch of covers and started posting them on SoundCloud and continued for a few years until I started writing my own music. Once I got to college, I got a mic and midi keyboard to start recording a few demos. I met my friend Triegy, and found out he was a great producer, so we began to work together - making my first 4 songs: “Fall for You”, “Dying Alive”, “By Myself” and “Done from the Start”. From there, I began working on music out in LA during breaks in college and then was asked to join Chelsea Cutler on her fall tour in 2018. Next thing I knew I was dropping out of college to move to Los Angeles and prepare for my first tour, and things have really just fell into place since then. Unheard Gems: I have to ask, how does one go from Pre-Med to 153 million+ streams across streaming platforms, seems like a pretty big jump. Christian French: Honestly all of the streaming goes to my fans. I’m thankful that I have such a dedicated fan base who supports me, and it’s awesome that they’re picking up the message that I’m putting down. Also, I’m lucky that I found an amazing team who is as passionate about my project as I am, and we’ve just made sure we don’t take any shortcuts as we’re continuing to develop. We’re just taking things one day at a time. Unheard Gems: You are an incredibly strong artist, every single song I hear from you is incredible and I think the world needs you on the radio now! How would you describe yourself as an artist? Christian French: Thank you that means a lot to hear! I would describe myself as introspective, optimistic, and genre-blending. A lot of my music is about things that I’m currently going through, but I’m always trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Along with this, I’m always trying to pull my favorite aspects of different genres into my own music to make a unique sound. Unheard Gems: You have a brand new single out, what can you tell us about this song?
Christian French: “i think too much” is out now! I’ve always considered myself an introspective person who really likes to think deeply through situations, but sometimes I end up thinking TOO much and it becomes counter-productive. I’ve been on this constant search for growth and true happiness in my life, and a lot of times I try to “brainstorm” my way into how I can reach these goals. This is a big paradox sometimes, because when you’re trying to enjoy and absorb the moment, thinking and trying to put your experience into words is the quickest thing to pull you out of it, which I’ve realized I do a LOT. Instead of taking a second and being thankful for what is, sometimes I find myself shooting right onto the next thing, and there’s no way to ever be satisfied if you’re always doing that. In a lot of ways, this song is kind of me acknowledging how much I think and “checking” myself. Unheard Gems: I will say the world right now is a different place without live music and concert venues, you had an incredibly busy year of touring in 2018-2019 with Quinn XCII and Chelsea Cutler. Any favorite memories from touring and how are you keeping the love of live music alive right now in the world of social distance? Christian French: Getting to share the stage with them was such a blessing - they both have very genuine, kind fan bases that greeted me with so much love. Both of their teams were so welcoming as well, and I really miss hanging out with all of them after the shows and celebrating the killer show we just had. Being quarantined without my band, I’ve spent a lot of time really learning how to make my songs sound good acoustically with just my voice and a piano. It’s taken a lot of work, but it’s been essential for when I do online concerts, through outlets like Instagram Live. I’ve done a few live’s throughout this quarantine, and I’m starting to have a LOT of fun with them. Every time they get better and I’m proud that iIve worked so hard on them! Unheard Gems: What’s next for you, what can we expect in the upcoming months? Christian French: Definitely consistent music coming out into the summer ~ I’ve released 3 songs from my next EP “good things take time” and am hoping to get a new one out every month until the EP in June. No one really knows anything about when live shows will be a thing again, but I will say that I’ve been loving doing Instagram Live’s — I can still hang out with my fans during this time. Unheard Gems: We always like to know who our Unheard Gems artists are listening to, if you could recommend to us another artist you think deserves more recognition in the music industry who would you recommend? Christian French: BabyJake is just getting started on his artist project, but he’s got something special. I’ve enjoyed every record of his that he’s put out. Check the kid out! Unheard Gems: Lastly, for all of our readers, where can they find you and your music and is there anything else you want to leave us with that we didn’t talk about in our questions? Christian French: Just want to say that I hope everyone out there is safe and healthy. This time at home has been a really big challenge for all of us, but we’re all going through it together. If you’re bored at home, try doing something that you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the time to do. Use this time to your advantage, do your body favors by working out and eating healthy and you’ll thank yourself later! Much love, CF
Interview by Hannah Schneider