Q&A: Alto Key on “take what i can get” and Being a Dreamer at Heart
CONFORMITY, INDIVIDUALITY, EXPECTATION, LONELINESS — are all themes in London-based Alto Key’s latest single, “take what i can get.” Released on July 5, the piano-led song explores Alto Key’s appearance-related insecurities and struggles along his musical journey.
The artist spells out his whole truth in the lyrics, making the song uplifting for listeners who may relate to the pressures of fitting in: “I’ll lower my hairline / I'll losе some weight / Get a doctor to fix / Everything out of place.” Or, the self-doubt that can come from pursuing the road less taken: “Hiding my emotions from familiar faces, it hurts when they say / ‘Congratulations you made it, you've changed for the better’ / ’Cause it doesn’t feel that way.”
Overall, “take what i can get” presents courage through its honesty. Alto Key isn’t performing anything but what’s there, what he’s living and reflecting on. This makes for a humbling listening experience because, connecting to music widely, the song is a reminder of the people behind the performance.
“Whilst it was painful to write, it’s been very empowering for me getting it all out,” Alto Key shares. “I think its rawness will really resonate with people.”
Sonically, the star of the song is Alto Key’s emotive vocals, which mirror the message. His voice is passionate in the chorus and gentle through the verses. A consistent piano note accompanies his vocals from start to end, just like the consistency of music in Alto Key’s life throughout the difficult experiences he expresses.
Read our interview below as we talk everything “take what i can get” with Alto Key.
LUNA: Across all your releases, your sound includes reflections on both joy (“wonderful life”) and struggles (“take what i can get”). What is your thought process behind presenting both sounds? Is it intentional, or do you prioritize the writing and the message, then shape the sound from there?
ALTO KEY: All the best songs have elements of real emotions and experiences mixed in. For me, I love writing about both the highs and lows I’ve experienced. And I do usually prioritize the writing rather than the general sound at the start, as I believe a good song will sound good stripped down just as much as with all the cool production elements that go into something finished.
LUNA: I want to ask you about the following line in the new single: “Mom said, ‘It’s a lost cause to go to the stars ’cause the ground is fine / Sure it looks brighter but just be realistic / You’re already 29.’” Our loved ones will often present both sides of the coin for us, both support for our greatest dreams but also what seems, to them, most realistic. It comes down to the individual to choose the path that is right for them in their heart. What advice would you give to listeners who may be in the process of making that decision?
ALTO KEY: I think there’s nothing wrong with taking a stable route through life, but if you want to follow your dreams, you have to be willing to take risks no matter what people around you may think. I’ve always tried to balance both, but I’ll always be a dreamer at heart. It can be tough, and not everyone will agree with it, but there’s no greater joy than following what you want to do in life.
LUNA: On a related note, that same line presents the theme of support systems, which some people are and some aren’t privileged to have. What do you rely on for support during tough times?
ALTO KEY: I’m not from a particularly privileged background, and my family hasn’t ever really connected to music like I have. But I’ve always kept positive and persistent and been very lucky that my partner has been with me through the highs and lows of my music career. If you don’t have a support system out there, that’s okay. Focus on surrounding yourself with people who also think big. Positive energy and passion are contagious and we need people to lift us up through hard times.
LUNA: Of course, music must be a big one for you in terms of feeling supported (or comforted). Who are some of your favorite artists?
ALTO KEY: My favorite artists are always changing, but some inspirations for me are definitely Coldplay, Sleeping At Last, The 1975, and Phoebe Bridgers, to name a few. I’m always religiously looking up song lyrics and I love being inspired by other artists in their writing.
LUNA: It’s interesting how “take what i can get” is ironic, because you’ve created something entirely original from experiences rooted in pressure from others. Tell me about how it came to be — what was the spark of inspiration?
ALTO KEY: I’ve definitely been, and still am, self-conscious about my appearance and about the success of my music career, often because I’m pretty public on social media. Some people close to me have also contributed to that anxiety by having — usually well-intentioned — conversations around my future. I think some of that was the spark. It became something I really wanted to write about. I got lucky to write with Ryan Nealon who had a viral song called “Feel Good,” which is all about male body image issues. It was an amazing match and I’m really proud of what we came up with.
LUNA: Lastly, I want to ask how you are feeling now that this song, which is vulnerable and brave, has been released.
ALTO KEY: I’m feeling great about the song and how people have felt and related to it! Personally, I still have some work to do to get my mind to a healthier state. But I’m trying, and songwriting is always very therapeutic.
