In this exclusive interview, Bobbi Fallon dives deep into the inspiration and creative process behind her upcoming single, “I’m Not Coming Home.” The track, born from a period of significant personal transformation, reflects Bobbi’s journey of leaving her comfort zone and embracing change to pursue her dreams. As she discusses her evolving sound, creative collaborations, and the experiences that have shaped her music, Bobbi shares insights into how she has stayed true to her authentic voice amidst an ever-changing music landscape. With a mix of soulful melodies, lyrical depth, and a dedication to innovation, this interview gives fans a glimpse into the heart and soul behind her latest work and what’s to come.
Your upcoming single “I’m Not Coming Home” sounds like a deeply personal track. What inspired this song?
“I’m Not Coming Home” was a song that came from a deep place within me where I knew something had to change in my life. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task, but I had gotten comfortable and felt that I wasn’t growing and learning as much as I could have been. I decided to end the mundanity and monotony of my life and move to a new continent to pursue my dreams. I left a lot behind. But it was a sacrifice that taught me so much about myself. I wrote this song three years ago, and I know that it is because of the decision to leave my comfort zone and challenge myself that I am where I am. I have had such incredible experiences all over the world doing what I love all because of one decision.
Your music has always had soulful melodies and harmonies. How would you say your sound has evolved with this new single compared to your previous work?
I think I have definitely mastered my own sound. Though it is ever-evolving and changing, I feel the most myself in terms of my musical expression. I have spent many years studying and honing my craft. I have many influences and listen to a lot of music, and in recent years, I have nailed my own sound and how I wish for it to be portrayed. There is a lot more of my range on display in this record than in previous records. It is a dynamic song, and I enjoy using volume and control to convey emotion in my music. This is a great representation of that.
What drew you to Isam Hadjih’s sound, and how did you know his beat was the perfect fit for your song?
It was the confidence with which he messaged me. He said something along the lines of “This is a ballsy shot, but I have a beat for you”. I am always interested to hear the beats people send me because I will always know within the first 30 seconds if it resonate with me, and the beat that Isam sent me had me gripped within the first five seconds. I got so excited because it was so unique, but I knew we would be the perfect duo for it.
What was the creative process like for writing “I’m Not Coming Home”? Did the lyrics come first or did the music guide the story you wanted to tell?
This was one of those songs I don’t actually remember writing because it flowed out so easily. I sat at the piano and remembered thinking about another life I needed to live, so that was the first thing I wrote. “Another Life” was written from there and kind of wrote itself from there. It was an amalgamation of the chords guiding the melody and the lyrics just finding their way into the music. I will often write gibberish to the melodies and rhythms until something cohesive comes out, and then I will spend some time just writing the words according to the rhythm I had written.
You’ve had success with tracks like “One Night” and “Reasons” that garnered millions of streams. How significant are they to you?
All my songs are significant to me because they all represent a moment in time for me. Everything I write is based on my genuine experience. I process my emotions through music; both songs were moments in my life that I felt were important, and I wanted to express them. “One Night” was my first-ever release and will always hold a special place in my heart. It created many opportunities for me. “Reasons” seems to be a song that has brought me many listeners and people who resonate with the deeper meaning of the lyrics. That is something that has been such a heart-warming experience because “Reasons” is a song that really captured how torn I felt about the heartbreak I was going through.
Your journey has taken you from Berklee College of Music to collaborating with notable artists. How has your experience at Berklee and your previous collaborations influenced your current musical direction?
Most definitely. Berklee was one of the most magical experiences of my life. Every day I worked with extremely talented musicians and professors. Not a day went by when I wasn’t learning and growing musically. You can only get better when surrounded by so much skill and expert musicianship. I would say Berklee is where I actually learned how to write songs properly. I went to Berklee wanting to be a jazz singer, and I left a skilful songwriter, which is something I am so grateful for because I would have never had the confidence to write the way I do if I hadn’t had such incredible mentorship.
When it comes to collaborations, I always learn from my fellow musicians. I love to work with other people because they have influences that I don’t have. When you add more ideas to the mix, you’re only elevating the level of resonance the music will have with other people because it has so many influences. I love learning from my collaborators, especially when it comes to production and songwriting methods. I think we always have things to learn from each other. I am not someone who is closed off to different styles or sounds; I think it is so beautiful to express oneself musically in a vast range of styles. I have worked with many different people in many different styles and this is what brings me versatility in the music I am able to create.
You’ve mentioned that connections with people often turn into songs for you. Can you share any memorable moments from your personal life that inspired “I’m Not Coming Home”?
When I wrote this song, we were at the tail-end of COVID lockdown, and the world was opening up again. I had been in a relationship but was realising that this was coming to an end. I had just graduated from college, and it was time for me to decide where my life would go. Either I was going to stay where I was and be comfortable and never know how far I could have gone, or I was going to explore territories I had never been both mentally and physically. I booked a flight to LA and moved a month later. I can proudly say that it was a decision I am so grateful to have made. My comfort zone will always be there. But the opportunity to learn and grow is far more important.
The music industry is constantly evolving. How do you stay true to your authentic sound while adapting to the trends of the current music landscape?
I truly am someone who goes with the flow when it comes to music. Opportunities will often arrive, and I prefer to focus on them if they inspire something creative within me. I don’t believe that there is much longevity in following trends. I prefer to pioneer and innovate a sound that is authentic to me. That way, my art will always be my truth and represent how I wanted it to sound when I wrote it. By staying true to my sound and my expression, I think there is more room for creating something fresh that has never been done before, whereas I feel that if I am focused on a trend, I feel confined.
If you could describe “I’m Not Coming Home” in three words, what would they be, and why?
Deep, motivational, and catchy.
What can fans expect from you after the release of this single? Are there any exciting new projects or directions you’re exploring musically?
Let’s just say I have been spending a lot of time in the studio…
