Blake Redferrin – better known by his last name – started out as a dirt bike rider before branching out into songwriting, with cuts for artists including Florida Georgia Line and Nelly.
However, it was the viral success of his song ‘Jack And Diet Coke' which propelled him into the mainstream as an artist in his own right and saw him release his first EP ‘Old No. 7' in February this year. He's also performing at CMA Fest in Nashville next month, and will be back in the UK later this summer opening for Russell Dickerson on his ‘Good Day To Have A Great Tour' after making his debut here at C2C in March.
Ahead of the trip, I recently caught up with Redferrin to chat about his C2C experience, the response to the EP so far, his plans for new music and much more.
For people who may not have heard your stuff before, how would you describe your music and your influences?
Okay, so that's a great question. I would describe my music as a blend. You know, I'm a country boy, and I love traditional country lyrics, but I also love big rock and roll guitars and loud drums, and I also like rhythmic flows that you might get in pop songs and hip hop songs. So I'm kind of just a mixed bag. I like a little bit of everything.
You released your EP ‘Old No. 7' in February. What's the response to that been like so far?
You know, it's kind of crazy how people have responded to the EP. I didn't know what to expect, because I've only got to put singles out. But I feel like, kind of doubling back on the last question, I'm such a versatile artist, that sometimes it's hard to really understand what I'm about with just one record. And I think that having a body of work that the songs were all different, but consistent, really helped people maybe start to wrap their head around what kind of artist I am and what I'm trying to say. So super thankful. It's been overwhelming, honestly, because the first 10 songs I put out, not that many people listened to and now all of a sudden, they're giving them a chance. And it really means a lot to me.
Have you found there are any songs people are particularly responding to – maybe in a way that you didn't necessarily expect them to?
Yes, ma'am. It's kind of funny. It feels like it keeps hopping around. At first it was ‘Jack And Diet Coke'. And then ‘Miss Summer' had a moment and then ‘Just Like Johnny' is taking off on TikTok right now, for some reason, randomly. Like, it was like the seven out of seven. And now it's number three out of seven in a day all of a sudden. So it's kind of been funny to see the different ones have their little moments. But yeah, it's been fun to go to different shows, you know, and some cities sing one song really loud. And then another city sings another one. Just interesting. [I'm] trying to see why people like one, you know, or what made them choose that one that day, I guess.
I also wanted to ask you about the process of choosing the songs for the EP. Was it quite difficult to get it down to those seven or did you have a clear idea which ones you wanted?
It was pretty tough. So I would say in the last six years, I've written about 500 songs, and I've maybe had 40 cuts, maybe put 10 out on my own. So there's a large pile sitting still. And, you know, I knew that I had a few old ones. But I felt like I had went through a lot of life in the last year or so. So I had a lot to say. And I just started writing and trying to beat songs and think I had a list of about 20. And then I chiselled it to 15 and then to 10. And then there was just little things that happened while we were producing the songs, like a few of them we were unable to finish. And it kind of just narrowed itself down for me. And then when I had those seven, just, I don't know, it really felt like me. It felt like a good cohesive… it showed all sides of me pretty well. So yeah, it was an interesting time. I never got to do a project. It's always been singles. So that was nice to do a body of work and really tell that bigger story.
You've mentioned ‘Jack And Diet Coke' and I did particularly want to ask about that because it's been such a huge hit – is it 45 million streams now?
I think it's almost 60 now somehow, we're getting like two and a half million a week. It's been a blessing. Yeah, I used to just want to get 1000 streams on a song. And to see that, it's so crazy [laughs].
Did you have a feeling it was going to be that big when you were writing? Or has the response to it taken you by surprise?
I was totally taken by surprise. You know, when I wrote it, I felt… I mean, I felt like I like every song I write. You know you love them. They're your babies. But when I wrote it, it just kind of felt like just another one. And I was so nervous to share it because I'd shared a few more songs on TikTok before then, and they would get like 200 views. And I remember I posted a video of me playing that one on my couch. And I woke up the next morning and had a couple hundred thousand views. And I was blown away. And we just kept posting and posting and people kept responding. And it really inspired the EP and it really opened a lot of doors for me this year to get me on the road and get me going. So I'm super thankful for that one. But we had no clue. We just thought it was another… we was just chasing it, you know, just writing another story.
Speaking of being out on the road, what's a typical Redferrin show like?
Redferrin show live, you wanna see it! I tell everybody I record my records a little lazy. That way I can beat them live. So you're gonna get a good vocal, you're gonna get a lot of energy. And I'm gonna pour my heart out. I'm not a real showy guy, but I'm gonna sing it like I made it. And so far, it seems like it's translating. People been rocking with us pretty good. So it's been a lot of fun.
Are there any songs you're particularly enjoying playing live lately?
Yeah, that's a great question. So ‘Champagne In The Morning' from the EP, when that chorus hits, it's like some fireworks went off. The bartender looks up, the guy tying trash bags looks up. The lady on her phone looks up. Like when that chorus goes, they're like, “oh, that's what we're doing?” I look forward to that one every night. That's when I strut my stuff. I sip a little extra whiskey. That's when I get going.
You were over in the UK for C2C earlier this year as well – how did you find that whole experience?
That was life changing for me. It was so eye opening. I just got a passport about three months ago. So yeah, up to that point I never left America. I've never seen history like that in the buildings and never got to experience other cultures and languages. You know, we did Germany and I went to France. And you know, after just seeing that whole scope of stuff it just… Lord, I just want to come back. I miss it so much [laughs]. I miss the crisps, them sweet chilli crisps that you got over there, some of that little stuff that just… I don't know. It felt more like home than home. I loved it over there.
You know now you've said about the crisps next time you come over here people will be bringing bags of those to your shows…
Yeah, bring me that sweet chilli. I love that. It's so good.
And was there anything about the UK audiences that surprised you, in terms of their reaction or anything like that?
Yes, ma'am. That's a great question. So they react a little bit more like a writer's round. They listen real intently while you're singing. And then they cheer for you at the end, or they like sing the last chorus. It felt like they were so respectful. I love my people here. But we're a little rowdy. And, you know, I was just like, “Man, this is so cool”. I remember the first couple shows, I wasn't sure if they liked me. I was a little nervous. And then at the end, you know, they get so loud. And you're like, “No, they're just actually listening. They're just really trying to hear what you're saying and feel your lyrics.” So that meant a lot to me. That was pretty special.
We've touched on your songwriting already so I wanted to ask you about how you approach that. Do you have a typical way that you write, or is it more about what the song needs? And does it change writing for others compared to for yourself?
Yes, ma'am. For sure. So my songwriting process, I think it's a little unconventional. A lot of people start with the title all the time. And I might start with a melody, I might start with a guitar lick. I might have a title, but that's kind of what's fun about it to me is inspiration strikes in a different way every time and when you finally hear that word or that note or whatever, that just perks your ears up, it's go time. And it is a little different for me if I'm writing for myself or another artist, I feel like I have my artists filter. So I try to see the song through that lens. But also, I want to make sure if it's for somebody else, we're telling their story. So that's fun for me. I like telling my own but I like putting on somebody else's hat for a day and helping them tell their truth too. It's a lot of fun for me.
Were there any songs on the EP that were particularly easy or particularly challenging in terms of the writing?
Oh, that's sweet. Well, we got one called ‘She's Like Whiskey'. And I got to write it at Jack Daniels distillery in a camper. We were there camping for a week. And I had my dog with me. She was 13, I had her her whole life, you know. And that was actually our last day that we got to spend together. We knew she was sick. So that song fell out so fast, because I was just writing the truth, you know? And I think anytime that it's just super true and super on the front of your mind and heart that it kind of just pours out. And then, like ‘Jack And Diet Coke', I feel like it took me two weeks to write. We wrote a verse and a chorus and then I changed all the chords and then I wrote a second verse. It was just really interesting to see the different way that all the songs fell together because no two are alike. They were all totally different processes.
One thing with the EP is there are some quite intense songs on there, in terms of the subject matter and the lyrics. Is that honesty and openness something that's quite important to you in your writing and how you approach your music?
Yes, ma'am. I've just, you know, growing up, and especially the last couple years, you know, going through hard things in life, music is always what's gotten me through. I've never been a big movie guy, I couldn't relate. But music always would be like, “Wow, this superstar goes through hard stuff, like I do”, you know. So, when I was, you know, 10 years ago, when I didn't know about all this, and you hear a song by Jason Aldean, you're like, “That man has it all, and he's still getting his heart broke”, you know, like, it just gave me some peace, and it made me not feel so alone. So I think, you know, some of the songs like “Doin' Life”, they are very vulnerable, and they are raw, but I think it's necessary. And I think there's a lot of people that experience things like depression, but there's not a lot of us that talk about it. Because it's such a thing that, you know, you don't want people to worry about you or you don't want to seem crazy, or whatever. It's really not, it's just the human experience. And I think that having the courage to put something like that out, will hopefully give somebody else the courage to share their story, or to ask for a little bit of help, or whatever they might need. So it's definitely very important to me. I like the fun songs, but I always related to the deeper ones a lot more. So I think that's probably what people can expect from me most of the time. But I'm a fun guy, too. We lighten it up every now and then.
You started out riding dirt bikes before pivoting into music. Has that had any influence on how you've approached your music career?
I would say so. Yeah. I mean, it's funny how similar the industries are. There's only one person who's number one every week. And, you know, everybody that's second through 50, your ego takes a dent. You know, I think that set me up good to be able to accept some nos. And also when you win, you know, you got to feel it, but you can't hang on to it too long. Because the next week, you need to start working hard again. So I think that those things are similar. And, you know, they're both heavy touring industries. So I spent a lot of time growing up on the road in a van, and travelling all around America racing. So that doesn't tire me out as much as some other artists because I've always felt super comfortable. I kind of felt more at home on the road than at home. So I think it set me up really nice to be ready for what's coming.
Is there a song that you wish you could have written?
Oh man. That is a great question. Song that I wish I could have written. I mean, any Alan Jackson song touches my heart. He has one called ‘Dallas'. “Oh, how I wish Dallas was in Tennessee. And I that one just always hit me in the heart. I, used to be like, Man, I wish I could have wrote that one. Because it's not even about the impact that the song had on the world, just the impact it had on me. I'm just like, “man, it's like they told my story somehow. “And that was written before I was born probably. So, yeah, that one's pretty cool.
And then what's still left on the bucket list for you in terms of collaborating with other artists or writers, or places you'd want to play at? I read you want to work with Post Malone – is he still top of the list for you?
Yeah. I mean, I would love to do one with Alan Jackson as well. I know sonically we're very different. And he's a little unsure of music like mine, but he's the reason that I write my songs the way I do. My lyrics are traditional country inspired by people like him. Post Malone, especially now that he's going country, I really hope we get to do a song soon. I've been putting that out into the universe so much, just praying. And I've always had a weird goal of wanting to make it to Japan. I feel like if I get to Japan singing country music that I probably toured America pretty good. And I've probably been everywhere else too, because that just seems like the furthest away in my mind. I don't know how far it is from here by plane but it seems like the furthest place away I could go. So if I make it there then I probably did pretty good I reckon.
And what is the rest of the year looking like for you? I know you've got live dates coming up in the summer – is that going to be the main focus?
Yeah, so I would say I've been working really hard on my next EP. I've got some more songs I'm excited about and trying to get those done as fast as I can. About to hit the road with Billy Currington. And that'll be my first time ever playing in an amphitheatre. So I'm really excited for that. We got a lot of festivals and a headlining tour coming. I'm coming back out to London this fall [with Russell Dickerson]. We're going to do another little UK/EU trip and I'm really looking forward to that because it was really good for me. I came home a new man, just so much more calm. You know, taking a train through a place that you don't know the language and you don't know how to buy the ticket, it had me frazzled the first few days in Germany, and then I'm like, “Ah, this is easy. You'll figure it out. Worst case, there's another train coming.” So it laid me back. It got me back into who I used to be a little more. So I'm just looking forward. It's gonna be a good year, we got so much good coming out. I'm just so thankful.
I was going to ask if you were coming back to the UK any time soon but I think you've beaten me to it!
You already know, as soon as they'll have me I'm coming back.
So in that case I'll finish by asking a bit about the new EP – is it going to be a similar sound to ‘Old No. 7' or a bit different?
I would say this next one is going to kind of be a continuation. I'm trying to look at it when I was creating it all as an album, just a two part album. So that's kind of been my thing so far is just, I want it to feel cohesive, but I want them to be different as well. I guess if you would say maybe there's five heavy songs and two light ones on the last pack, I want to try four happy songs three, three darker ones. Like I want to show people another side of me,but show how they're consistent as well. So I've been having a lot of fun with it. It's a tad different. But I think that, you know, I hope people respond well. I can't wait start sharing and I'm about to start letting it go on socials real soon and see how people think about some of the songs.
See Redferrin live in the UK this August supporting Russell Dickerson on the Good Day To Have A Great Tour:
Monday 26 August – Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket
Tuesday 27 August – Manchester, O2 Ritz
Thursday 29 August – Bristol, O2 Academy
Friday 30 August – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town
