Charlie Puth will take to the stage at Etihad Arena on 1 October.
We spoke with the pop star ahead of his performance in the capital – which is part of the singer-songwriter’s “Charlie” Live Experience, currently captivating fans worldwide.
Charlie thanks for joining dscvr.ae. You’re going to be performing at Etihad Arena on 1 October, we are very excited about your show, Is this going to be the first time in Abu Dhabi?
I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi before. It’ll be my first time so I’m really looking forward to performing for fans that have never met before. And also because every time I get offstage in a place that I’ve never been before I seem to write some really good songs, so I’m really looking forward to it.
What are your perceptions of the UAE?
My perceptions musically are that they’re very passionate people and they are very sure of what they like musically. And they’re also very open-minded to new musical things where it might take a second in other places when a brand new song comes about that no one’s ever heard before. I have a feeling that UAE is very, very open and receptive to new types of music, which is quite inspiring for me since I always want to make new types of music.
We can imagine TikTok will help that, especially here in the UAE where the TikTok audience is huge. You are pretty huge on the platform yourself with over 20 million followers, how do you feel it’s helped artists like yourself reach the audience and be a little bit more interactive with them?
I look at TikTok or YouTube and social media just as the vehicle. I don’t think anyone or any creator should ever make content for the vehicle. I think they should make content for themselves and just let the vehicle drive it out. And I guess the popular vehicle is TikTok right now. But you’re not seeing the TikTok version of me on there, you’re just seeing me and I just happen to be on TikTok. So I urge any creator to just make music and videos for themselves.
We saw a video you posted recently where you turned a video of Kylie Jenner saying ‘Good morning’ and you turned it into a song. Did she ever reach out to you after that?
No, but my friend sent me a screenshot of her sister Khloe and she wrote like, yaaasss! So there’s that, they seem to be a low-key musical family. They’ve got a good tone to their voices.
Maybe there’s a future collaboration there? Talking of collaborations, you’ve worked with some incredible artists and have written for incredible people, who would be your dream collaboration at the minute?
It’s tough because I don’t want to sound like I’m bragging, but my answer is Elton John. And then I got to write a couple of songs with him. And my other answer is James Taylor – and I even put James on my album. So I’m just I’m starting to realise that like, those are amazing collaborations, but I’d like to collaborate with anybody who’s passionate about what they’re doing, because I believe they can bring something out of me as well.
Is it true that Elton John heard some of your unreleased and he was pretty honest with what he thought?
He just basically said that at the time I was collaborating with a little too many people and it wasn’t sounding distinctly me, and I agreed with him. He was the driving force that drove me to just start over and I’m really glad I listened to him because it ended up being one of my favourite albums that I’ve ever made.
One of the tracks that really catapulted you to fame, especially here in the Middle East was ‘See You Again’ did you know that the song would be as big as it became?
I had an idea that it was going to be a big song because it was attached to such a big franchise such as the Fast and Furious movies. But I didn’t know that it would still maintain its popularity after all these years, there seem to be people discovering it today, I think it’s one of the most important songs I’ve ever written, so I’m just really happy about it.
How would you say your sound and you as a musician have evolved since your earlier albums to now?
To be completely honest, I think it sounds mostly the same. I think my voice has gotten a little bit better but I don’t spend so much time tweaking the little things in the songs that no one will ever hear anymore. In the very beginning, I used to obsess over every hi-hat, and it’s not that I don’t know but it’s really about the message and the lyrics of the song and the melody.
What is the one thing in your career that has made you the most proud to date?
I’m proud of my own accomplishments, and I get to celebrate them with everyone all the time. But the thing that I’m most proud of is when I’m on an aeroplane, and someone taps me on my shoulder and says that they just downloaded GarageBand, or Logic or Pro Tools, and they’re starting to make music at the age of 10, or at the age of 50. And it’s because of being inspired by what I put out on the internet. So that is what I’m most proud of, I believe that everybody, every human on this earth is capable of making music and allow me to be the vehicle to drive them to that conclusion.
Okay, so back to your show in Abu Dhabi. What can people expect, especially If someone hasn’t been to see you before?
We take a lot of pride, my band and my crew and the people that helped me mix my show at making the audio of the shows hit in a certain way. I remember going to the movies, when THX had the brand new surround sound systems and I just always became obsessed with surround sound and how certain elements of the movie would just like hit you in the face. And there’s not a part of the show musically, that sounds dull or tired. It’s all bright and exciting and dynamic, but it’s also not in your face. It’s very pleasing to listen to on a musical level. And the fact that it’s live it’s just that much more special.
Whilst you’re in the UAE is there anything in particular that you would like to dscvr?
I hope I can keep my eyes open and not be too jetlagged because Abu Dhabi is one of the most incredibly stunning and visual places on earth. I hope that someone can also tell me some touristy landmarks so I can go around and see them because it’s not every day that I get to go to such a stunning place.
Last question. What is next for you?
I am off to Abu Dhabi! I have to go to Las I’m in New York right now. I have to fly to Los Angeles. Get some things together, finish packing and then I will see you at the show.
Tickets for Charlie Puth Presents The “Charlie” Live Experience are available now from www.livenation.me.
DSCVR: Charlie Puth, Etihad Arena, Yas Bay, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. (Images: Thomas Falcone) @livenationme @charlieputh @etihadarena.ae
