Multi-talented artist and creative force in the industry, Drew Chadwick of Emblem3, sits down to talk all things new music and mental health. Chadwick rose to fame on the popular TV show, The X-Factor. He has captured the hearts of fans all across the world with his charismatic stage presence, powerful vocals, and authentic personality. Not only is the star making waves in the music industry, he is a voice for the voiceless. He is a mental health advocate and speaks up on social and environmental injustices.
What is the biggest piece of advice you could give to aspiring artists?
If you don’t come from money, it’s not going to be easy. This is going to sound cliche, but it’s the truth. If you believe to the marrow of your bones that you are here to do something, then you will not be able to give up. Even when it seems like you should, even when everyone that you love tells you to stop, you won’t give up. Don’t ever give up, no matter what! Believe in yourself!
What can fans expect from your new music?
Im gonna pour every ounce of my blood, mind, and soul into it. What you get out of it, you get out of it. I believe it’s gonna turn into something in the next 10 to 15 years that nobody will see coming.
How has your music evolved over the years?
It went from being hyper compressed into a pop format, to then over compensating for that by being so deep and direct about whatever activism or direct expression you wanted to get across, to finally maturing and integrating into a happy medium. Now you can find the balance between saying things that are digestible, and that most people will get, while at the same time, sharing the message or your artistic mission and journey in a way that meets that same standard. Make your lyrics draw into the patterns of nature. That is timeless.
What’s the creative process like for writing music in a band versus writing for a solo project?
In the band, you have to generalize, make sure that it crosses over into the other performers experiences and their dimensions of identity. In the solo stuff, it’s what gives me the chills, what makes my ancestors weep with pride. What makes me feel so alive, so excited, that I can’t sleep. If it doesn’t stretch your heart wide open, then it doesn’t even count!
Have you noticed a shift in conversations regarding mental health in the music industry during your career?
At the end of the day you have yourself and you have your connection to God. If those two are in sync together, you’ll find a way to transmute that into something beautiful. I don’t really think it’s ever changed. Everybody has trauma, some worse than other, but you have to find a way to turn that trauma into something that’s beautiful. Everything in nature can be transmuted into something beautiful.
Look at a caterpillar crawling across a thorny leaf and then turning into a beautiful butterfly that can fly. There’s so many different metaphors for that. Yea, sometimes it gets hard, but hopefully you have at least one friend who can help you out of it. If you can get yourself out of those dark moments, it will mean something.
Emblem3 will be releasing a new pop-punk single called “Looks to Kill”. You can pre-save it here. They will also be on tour in Brazil August 2nd to August 8th.
Emblem3 Tour Dates:
8/2 – São Paulo, Brazil
8/3 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
8/4 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
8/7 – Curitiba, Brazil
8/8 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Keep up with Drew Chadwick: Instagram // X
Keep up with Emblem3: Instagram // X // Website // TikTok
