Filipino-Japanese singer-songwriter Fitz Shioda just dropped his debut single under O/C Records, ‘callboi’ — a “flirty feel-good romantic song” set in a pop tune that connects with those who revel in a “quanfling" as it tackles a romantic love formed during a quarantine period.
In an interview with Fitz, he shared more about his debut track: how someone he met online inspired the story of this single, why we need to talk about forging new connections in the digital landscape, his musical influences for the overall tune of this track, and more about the ‘playfulness’ of callboi.
TNH: How do you feel about your debut release under O/C Records?
Fitz: I’m really excited about my debut release with O/C. This is the first time that I’ve been signed, and I feel like I’ll learn a lot from this journey.
TNH: callboi tackles a romantic love formed during a quarantine period. What else can you share about the story of this track? What was your key inspiration behind it?
Fitz: Covid forced people to do everything online, which includes meeting new people. I met someone online and was amazed at how attached I got. I became her ‘callboi’. I figured some people probably experienced the same. Haha.
TNH: Your music exhibits your own version of pop – greatly influenced by various genres like soul, acoustic, blues, and rock. With your newest track, how would you describe its sonic arrangement? Are there any other musical influences that helped shape the production of this track?
Fitz: I would say that the guitars are very bluesy, and the beat at the bridge part quite suggests RnB. I get a lot of these ideas from my all-time idol, John Mayer, and recently Tom Misch really got me as well. This is actually the first “happy” Filipino song that I’m releasing. I usually write sappy songs and sing them online ever since the beginning of the covid era, until one of my viewers challenged me to write an upbeat song that’s not sad. Hence, callboi was born.
TNH: You’ve worked with other artists in the production of this single such as Ammy Gecana, Joel Mondonedo, and Ninno Rodriguez. What can you share about the journey, and how was it working with other creatives for this track?
Fitz: I always loved collaborating with people because I learn so much from them. I feel really blessed to have worked on this track with such talented people. The song wouldn’t sound as good without their help. The songart would probably be just a picture of myself without Ammy’s help. Oh btw, shoutout to my sisters for singing the choir parts of the song. Had fun recording that at home.
TNH: In terms of the overall structure of callboi, what specific distinctive element in this track should people watch out for?
Fitz: I think it’s the overall playfulness of the song and how the song describes a cute online dating situation - that’s what people should watch out for! Yung “landi during covid”. I’d like to hope that this is the first song that tackles that haha.
TNH: What’s your biggest takeaway from this single that you hope to share with your listeners?
Fitz: It’s probably how the song suggests that falling in love online can be part of the new normal and that it really shouldn’t be a big deal. Keeping that connection intact when you finally meet in person, though, I think that’s another challenge.
About the music per se, however, it’s the fun, playfulness, and sexiness of the track that I’d love to share with everyone. :)
callboi’s jesting approach offers more than its playful sound — the track willfully makes a remark on the notion of falling in love in the era of new normal.
You can keep streaming callboi on digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The official lyric visualizer of the track can be streamed via O/C Records YouTube Channel.
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