In Conversation with Ender Bowen about his latest single ‘The Art of Tactful Procrastination’
Originally published by WeAreYMX.com
Nashville rock/pop artist Ender Bowen is back with a new project, ‘The Art of Tactful Procrastination’. After some bad experiences in the music industry in 2014, Ender was about to give up making music. Then, after his first child was born in Nashville – where he had moved 8 years prior to pursue his dream – he realized he was still here for a reason and knew exactly what kind of music he wanted to make.
“The Art of Tactful Procrastination” sums up the experiences of a new parent struggling with phases of work in the entertainment business. “I might be bumping elbows with Jack White (while working on a music video for The Dead Weather) and then selling spa parts at a local hot tub store” he told us. The most important thing is to live and have lived, always loyal to his passion.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ENDER BOWEN BELOW!
YMX: Hey Ender how is it going? some of our readers might not be familiar with your project, how would you describe yourself, in a few words?
ENDER BOWEN: Nashville Melodic Alternative Rock/Pop artist. Husband. Father. My music is at once Dark, Ambient, and Ethereal, yet Inspirational, Uplifting, and Empowering, revealing songs about hope, loss, finding yourself, not giving up and having the strength and courage to overcome.
YMX: Your current work is the result of a long journey; What first drew you to making music?
ENDER BOWEN: I was 4 or 5 when I saw the music video for Van Halen’s “Jump”. Somehow I just knew that’s what I wanted to do and – through many ups and downs and variations – I’ve been on that journey ever since.
YMX: If you had the opportunity to pick any artists in the world for a collaboration, who would be your first choice? (and second choice, perhaps?)
ENDER BOWEN: This is a really hard one… I’d have to start with my big “producer” influences. Brian Eno (Talking Heads, U2, Coldplay) and Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage) come to mind. I would also love to do something fun with Gary Numan – that would be a dream collab.
YMX: You recently released “THE ART OF TACTFUL PROCRASTINATION”. Can you tell us how that project came about?
ENDER BOWEN: The single “The Art of Tactful Procrastination” is actually the title track from the album. It probably wouldn’t typically be a single release (as far as my work is concerned) but because it’s been so long since my last release I really wanted something that would bring listeners – new and old – into what I’m doing right now. It – like the album as a whole – is about the struggle to realize your dreams as you get older, as you come into more adult responsibilities and obligations. It very much creates a dividing line between the day (which represents that “adult” life) and night – where your dreams can be chased and you are generally free of those obligations. There’s a yearning for night and a sense that the day is long and meaningless.
YMX: Do you feel more confident writing music alone, or within a team?
ENDER BOWEN: I feel much more confident writing alone. And to be honest a lot of that is because I’ve HAD to do it all alone since my teens. I grew up in an area where there just wasn’t anyone else, for the most part, and I didn’t creatively gel most of the time with others – we just had different goals that’s all, different styles of music. I HAVE collaborated with others and it’s gone generally well, and I would LOVE to bring on a producer for an album (I wanted to for THIS one actually) but just haven’t been able to do that. As it is, I would love to produce an artist myself. I feel I could bring something unique to the table.
YMX: How do you feel about performing in front of an audience again? are you noticing any unexpected changes in your attitude towards gigs?
ENDER BOWEN: Well a big part of my hold up and struggle is that I haven’t been able to play live much. As a solo artist with songs that are fairly tightly woven (as opposed to meanderings that I could use a loop pedal to build live) as well as densely packed with many pieces and parts, I really would need a band, or at least a couple more people, to help me get these things out live, and I’ve just never had that. I’ve never been able to do it. I very desperately want to get out live – especially for this album – but with me focusing SO much on the digital advertising and promotion (again, I do this all alone) it’s really hard to have the time to develop that. Especially with work and kids.
YMX: We are finally able to sense the end of the pandemic on the horizon. Artistically speaking, what challenges the last year and a half has presented you with?
ENDER BOWEN: As an artist I wasn’t challenged by it much. As a human I think it was frustrating. I’m very much an outgoing, get out there and do things person. It was very stifling not being able to do that. On the artist side, it actually worked well for me – I had wanted to put this album out in 2020 but didn’t feel it was ready. COVID gave me an excuse to hold back on it, put that extra time in and really get it to pop. This album is something very special to me. I wanted to make sure the final work and presentation showed that, and that I had learned and trained myself all I could on the promotional aspect.
YMX: What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
ENDER BOWEN: This single is the first of what is planned as 7. One single a month with the album in November (more or less in the middle). I’m taking pre-orders now at enderbowenstore.com – 24 page color booklet and wallet. Very excited about that. And it’s limited copies so if you want it you need to get it pronto because they are flying away.