Rilan
Photo credit: Luiza Comsa
LA songwriter, actor, & dancer/choreographer Rilan has released his music video for his latest single “Sad”. The outstanding music video paints a modern take on sad clowns. Theatrical and authentic, the music video perfectly reflects what the song is all about.
“My favorite musical is Chicago. I’ve always been heavily inspired by musical theatre, especially the work of Bob Fosse. I personally feel like the Mr. Cellophane of pop music, so “Sad” is his off-off-Broadway, one night only, black box theatre debut that no one came to,” says Rilan.
The pop/r&b single was co-written with Myah Marie, Zac Poor and produced by The Audibles (Dominic Jordan and Jimmy Giannos).
“Sad” is Rilan’s second single of 2021, following “Bitter” released last month.
“Sad” is available now :)
Artwork: Ashley Andrea Beliveau
How would you define Rilan, the artist?
Rilan is a theatre kid through and through. He’s equal parts ridiculous and brooding. He’s weird and flashy and theatrical but above all he’s honest. He looks like a character, but he’s who I really am.
"Sad" is your latest single & video - what's the inspiration behind this song?
“Sad” is about the comfort of feeling sad. It’s easier to stay down than it is to lift yourself back up. I think we all know what that feels like after this past year of isolation. “Sad” is for the times when you can’t escape your emo feelings and just want to wallow. There’s nothing wrong with feeling bad from time to time. It happens to the best of us. I think it’s much worse to pretend everything’s okay than it is to take a minute and be honest with yourself.
What can you tell us about the music video?
Again, I’m a theatre kid, so everything I do is inspired by musical theatre in one way or another. The video for “Sad” is what I would imagine Mr. Cellophane’s pop music debut would look like. It’s like the opening night of a low budget, Off-Off-Off Broadway black box theatre version of Chicago that no one asked for and no one came to. In other words, the story of my life.
What message do you want to deliver through this song?
I’ve been there. I’ve felt miserable many times. There’s nothing wrong with that. The one thing that gets me through it is art. Hearing a song, especially a pop song, brings me out of a depressive state more than anything else in the world because it tells you, “I get you.” I wanted to give fellow weird kids like me a depressing little bop that says just that - I get you.
Who's helping you build your artistry/career?
I have a small team of wonderful professionals whose insights and suggestions are invaluable. They help everything stay on the right path and keep my chaotic brain on track. My parents are also very supportive of my art, which I am forever grateful for. But to be honest, all the creative ideas are my own. I have a very concrete vision of myself as an artist, and I know exactly what I want to share with the world.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
The hardest part of being an artist is also the best part - being yourself professionally. I left the theatre because I didn’t want to play a role anymore. I wanted to be exactly who I am on and off the stage. It’s difficult on the days when no one seems to believe in you because there’s no way to escape. There’s no disguise to wear physically or emotionally, but that’s the life I chose. It’s a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things because I don’t have anyone telling me how to look or what to say or who I should be anymore. I’ve done that, and it served me no good. I’m grateful that I get to do this as a living even when making a living doing this seems impossible. You just have to dust yourself and keep going. Faking it until you make it is real.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
Believe it or not I’ve been doing this for a long time. You grind and grind day end and day out for years before anyone knows your name. Trends in music can be disheartening because if you’re not a part of the current sound or style or “new thing” you can get overlooked. But at the end of the day, I’m not a trend. I’m an artist. And every artist I admire has never followed trends. They’ve set them. They’ve had intuition. They’ve showed the world what’s next through their music and their performances. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
You are also a dancer/choreographer - what does dancing make you feel?
Dancing brings me joy - plain and simple. It always has and always will. I think we’re in a bit of strange time in entertainment right now. Everything is praised for being “chill” and “vibey” and “cool,” especially in regards to male artists. I’ve never been chill or cool in my life. Every time I’ve tried to be I’ve miserably failed because that’s not who I am. I’m not a subtle, casual groover. I’m a dancer. That’s what I do, and I shouldn’t try to do less simply because that’s what’s cool right now. My choreographer, Richy Jackson, has been my biggest champion in this uphill battle to bring performance back to pop music. He did it with Gaga when she first came out, and I’m honored he’s doing it with me now. No matter the trend, the ability to preform will never die, and we’re here to remind the world of that.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
Unapologetic individuality. Paving your own road is always better than following the crowd. If you wanna wear it, wear it. If you wanna sing it, sing it. If you wanna be a professional velociraptor impersonator, go for it. That was my original childhood dream. It didn’t work out for me, but who the hell am I to tell you that it wouldn’t work for you? If you dream it, do it, because everyone I’ve ever admired in all aspects of life have created whole new worlds out of nothing but their imagination. We all can. We just have to put in the work and never give up.
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