Has writing “chasing ghosts” helped you heal from past relationships?
It helped me unpack a lot from past relationships and it also helped me remind myself to not get back to that point where I am in a cycle that I do not want to be in. Sometimes it feels like an impulse though – that is what the song was meant to do, to free me from that and it has.
How did it feel to sing with Chelsea Collins?
From the second I heard Chelsea I knew I wanted to do a song with her. When she agreed to write and be on this song with me, it was exciting because I truly respect her so much. The pieces fell into place so effortlessly that it felt like it was meant to be. I could not have asked for a better partner for this song.
What emotions came up for you while creating this track?
Lots, I racked my brain for all the small moments that people overlook or try to forget about when they get stuck in spots like this. The finished product sounds beautiful but the details that come back definitely left me exhausted afterwards.
How has “chasing ghosts” influenced your identity as a musician and how do you see it changing your progression moving forward?
I started as a rapper and now, I just dropped a pop song where I am singing. Not only that, but I am singing alongside a talented artist, so that in itself was a little daunting. I hope this song helps me break out of that box of just being a rapper to show the world that I like to play in different genres and outlets. Being multi-talented and versatile is what I want my music to reflect moving forward.
What is something you learned while writing this song that you wish you could tell your younger self?
If I could go back in time and tell my 14-year-old self that I would one day release a record where I am singing, and not rapping, I think it would melt my younger brain. But I think I would tell myself to do all the things that feel right when it comes to music and to never second guess myself out of fear of being misunderstood.
What do you hope your listeners take away from “chasing ghosts”?
I hope anyone who can relate to “chasing ghosts” can heal through it and anyone who cannot necessarily relate can learn from it before they make the same mistakes.
How did performing a duet differ from singing on your own?
When you are in a studio by yourself, you can stay in your head for hours obsessing over the tiniest details, but when you are with someone else you do not want to put that burden on them, so you force yourself to just act and trust your instincts.
Take us inside the writing process behind “chasing ghosts”. Was it a visceral release or something you had to sit with and ruminate on?
Chelsea and I wrote this in our first-time meeting, we did not get to writing right away though; her and I just sat with the producer of the song ＦＥＲＲＯ and talked about anything and everything outside of music and just became friends. We knew almost immediately that ‘chasing ghosts’ was special and that we were going to release it. I had to go back home to Canada shortly after our first session before we were able to finish the song, so it was a few months before getting back into the studio to tie it all together. It took a year for all the pieces to fall into place to line up for release. Though it took a while, I knew from the beginning that this would be the first song I would release to kick off this new era. It just felt right.
Who were the inspirations you turned to while writing this song? What music influenced “chasing ghosts”?
I turned to my individual experiences with my past relationships. I also added elements of the relationships I have observed around me… this story is one that a lot of people can relate to so I wanted to make sure I was getting it right for those who would listen and appreciate. Overall, the biggest influence was my personal experience.
What is next for viisi after this new single?
I am releasing a catalogue of music that I have been holding onto for a while now – pieces I have been perfecting and just waiting to show the world. The music that is rolling out in different ‘episodes will drop each month. I am so excited for the world to hear what I have kept secret for so long.
EXTRA FUN FACT:
I (Matthew Borley) was named after 3 skateboarders (Matt Hensley, Christian Hosoi, and Eric Nash). When I was born, my first name and 2 middle names were all given to me because my dad loved skateboarding and was actually quite good at it growing up.
