Phil Good — better

Jared Maldonado, known as Phil Good is a singer/songwriter/producer from Portland, Oregon.

Phil Good revealed his debut single “Sleeping In” in 2016. After the success of his latest releases including the singles “Growing Up” and “I’ll Fix It”, the musician is now offering the new smash pop single entitled “Put It All On Me”, written and produced by Phil Good and Max Hershenow.

“Initially, it was a message to my girlfriend and when she first heard it she cried happy tears. But besides her, I think it’s just for anyone who needs someone to vent to,” explains Maldonado.

The Los Angeles-based artist will be releasing new projects in the next year.

“Put It All On Me” is now available worldwide.

Introduce yourself. What's your story?

I’m Jared Ryan-Maldonado AKA Phil Good, I’m 26 years and 354 days old. I was born in raised all over the westside of Portland, OR.

When did you start feeling connected to music?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a connection to music. There’s a video on a vhs tape somewhere of me bopping up and down to a Prince song as a 1 year old. I really fell I love with music in middle school and started playing drums and guitar, and then played in different bands in high school. My life revolved around music since then.

Could you tell us about your first experiences in the music industry? What did you learn from these early experiences?

My first experiences in the industry was touring as a guitar player/background vocalist for a friends band right out of high school. I toured with them from 2010-2012 and it was so fun and I was sooo so broke. But I think that’s what made it so fun… At that time I saw the industry from a live player’s perspective, but I didn’t really understand it. I think what I took away from my early experiences was that it takes a lot of people and a lot of hard work to make it in the music industry. And to never get your hopes up because things can change in an instant, for the better and for the worst.

When did you start writing songs?

I started writing songs in a band in high school, but I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I’m pretty sure they made little sense and were very emotional and cringey. I really started writing songs while on my first couple tours. I would sit in the stairwells at hotels at 2AM and write songs with the help of the natural reverb in the stairwell making me think my voice was way better than it was at the time. I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. All of my favorite songs I’ve written/have put out always come pretty quickly and unexpectedly. I kind of like that it happens that way though. I feel more connected to it and it feels a little more special and magical

At what point did you know you had to become an artist and release your original music?

I think after starting and ending a couple different projects with different people, I knew it was time for me to give myself a shot. When I moved to LA in February of 2016 I knew it was time I started something of my own, but it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. It took a lot of time and a lot of trial and error, but now I feel more comfortable and in my own lane than I ever have before which is a great feeling.

How would you define Phil Good, the artist?

I’d define Phil Good as relatable, honest, and awkward. The longer I’ve been working on the project, the more I feel it’s just the most honest form of myself that I’ve ever put out into the world. Most of my songs come from a direct experience or thought that reflects something I’m going through or feeling as I’m writing it. When I released the video for my last single “Be Somebody”, it was the first time I saw a video of myself and I was like… “Damn. That pretty much sums it up” and I’m really proud of that.

How did your sound and artistry evolve since your very first release?

It’s evolved a lot! With my first release, I had only started producing about 8 months before it came out. Now, almost 3 years later, I feel like I understand what I’m doing a lot more than I did, which can be a good and bad thing. I can be very stubborn and picky now about the smallest thing in a song, but when I finally get there it’s incredibly satisfying. I think the project is just falling more into place now and I’m realizing that the styles/genres that might define my music can be all over the place because the common thread throughout everything is my voice and the words I sing.

You're about to release your new single "Put It All On Me", what's the story behind this song? Who did you work with?

I wrote and co-produced this one with Max Hershenow, producer and member of MSMR. He and I wrote and produced my song “Better” together as well. The songwriting came together quickly and from a conversation Max and I had. At the time my girlfriend, who is also an artist, was feeling so defeated by the music industry. She would come home after a session or a meeting and just be on the verge of tears because she felt like no one listened to her and the men around her didn’t take her seriously or trust in her fully as an artist. I was telling Max about this and how sad it made me to see her this way, and a few hours later we had “Put It All On Me” written. I love waking with Max because we’ll start a cool instrumental idea, I’ll mumble some random things on a mic, and then something I said will lead us into a long conversation which ends up being the song. It just flows and it’s honest and I love it.

What message do you want to deliver through this song?

Everyone needs to be able to get their feelings out no matter how irrational they may seem. It’s important to be there for your friends and loved ones in that way and just let them get all their shit out. Sometimes just saying the way you feel out loud can help you see it for what it is and move on from it in a healthy way.

Listen to “Put It All On Me” here.

What do you like the most about songwriting?

When you finally hear that line or melody and it just feels like a snowball effect from there. I think that’s one of the best feelings in the world. It doesn’t necessarily come easily, but in my experience, once you take the time and effort to capture something real and you have that one meaningful line or part, everything else will come.

How's it like to collaborate with other writers? In your opinion, what makes a good songwriting team?

My absolute favorite sessions and songs have come from hours of conversation and realizing that everything we just talked about is exactly what the song should be. In my opinion, a good songwriting team should have someone who’s great at the big picture, someone who’s great at the little interesting details, and someone who can be little of both and can objectively sway the choices one way or another.

What makes a good song?

The feeeeeeelingsssss. If it feels good, and makes you feel something, it’s a good song.

What advices would you give to young songwriters?

Trust yourself! And listen to songs while reading the lyrics. And try to freestyle over things.

As a producer, what equipments and softwares do you usually use?

I use Ableton for all my production. My favorite things lately have been the UAD plug ins, learning those have really opened my mind to the intricacies of recording sound. Also the OP-1 is a necessity, and I have a synth called the Novation Peak which I love.

What appeals you the most about the production process?

Honestly, it’s just so fun. I still find it very hard and frustrating sometimes, but when I get past that it’s probably the most fun thing in the world to me and it makes me feel like a kid again creating something with legos.. but with sound.

What does it mean for you to be an artist?

Being an artist to me means being as honest as possible and realizing that you have the power to really impact people. And to be grateful that people care at all.

What inspires you the most, in life and in music?

I think being around so many musicians and creative people in Los Angeles is probably the most inspiring thing to me. I love working with other people and hearing stories or their processes, it keeps me inspired and on my toes.

Any upcoming project?

I have a handful of songs that I’m finishing up now and will be released in early 2019 for sure.

In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?

Less ego, and less judgement. And if everyone could agree that Donald Trump is the absolute worst of humanity and we can do so much better.

What's your purpose?

To make people laugh and feel less alone.

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