Scott AF

“Mona Lisa” is the nostalgic, new single off of Scott AF’s upcoming EP, Parallel Sound. The meaning behind the project was to indulge in Scott’s hunger for 80’s pop music. Here is what Scott AF had to say… “I started my own version of “Pour Some Sugar On Me” a few years back, which will be the bonus track on the upcoming project, and I finally put all the pieces together for how I wanted to release this project. The process of creating the E.P. sparked this idea of mixing my flavor of electronic music with this throwback sound that brought my childhood back to life 100% . “Mona Lisa’s” hook, for me, was what had to sell the song. It had to have some moments where pop culture felt swept off its feet by an 80’s vibe. I thought, what better way than to bring back the famous boom box scene, from the pop culture classic, with a little Jonny Cusack reference. Once I had the hook completed, everything else started falling into place, such as how the flow of the songs would be listed on the E.P. Enjoy!” - Billboardsound

Wake Me Up, was written about Scott AF’s crippling anxiety that he struggles with on a daily basis. Scott was in Europe last Summer, in the Oxford college dorms, when he first started collaborating on this tune. Here is what Scott AF had to say about Wake Me Up, “The track was very dark and I was hooked from the beginning. I wanted to write something real and true, that a lot of us don’t like to talk about, which is our mental health. The song’s pulsating melody made me want to wake up and be alive. Those who haven’t experienced anxiety, don’t have a clue how hard it is to overcome. I wanted to let others know that they’re not alone.” - Hit Addiction

In a musical culture increasingly driven by social networking, best kept secrets are often hard to come by, but Scott A.F. has intentionally kept a low profile on the path to perfecting his national debut EP Under Your Skin. Sure, the singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist has popped up ever so occasionally around his current digs in Oklahoma, also scoring a slot at the highly coveted SXSW Music Festival, and a stint on American Idol, but he’s mostly been chained to the studio, painstakingly crafting an inventive new sound that’s insanely infectious at every turn. Scott was and is looking to be unique, and to craft every one of his songs with meaning and purpose, but of course a pop beat that will keep you coming back for more. When Scott found his voice at a young age, he has strived to work his way to the top; mentally, physically, and musically – and most importantly, he has said, “If I can move people and make a living with my music…I’m in. But the bottom line is I do it because I love it and I want to put smiles on people’s faces.” We got a chance to get Scott a bit better in the interview below, and get the inside scoop on his musical history, and his brnad spankin’ new EP, “Under Your Skin.” - Jacqueline Cassell

If you take a dash of Twin Shadow, Disclosure, Sam Smith and Justin Timberlake and mix it in a bottle you will have a concoction that resembles the EP released by Scott A.F. entitled Under Your Skin. The music on Under Your Skin feels very much like it was made in 2015, which only makes sense since the aforementioned artists are seeing continued success and relevance as I write this.

Under Your Skin is a tight, well-produced album that revolves around big bright synths, heavy kick drums and slick, funky vocals. It works best on a Friday night as the evening is building to a climax. The club is getting more packed, more shots are being thrown back and no one is drunk enough that things start getting shady.

The EP starts with “One Step Away” which has the most resemblance to Disclosure. It’s an addictive thumper that contains a number of inventive changes that showcases the skill of Scott A.F. I loved the vocal splicing and the Cut Copy style breakdown. Not a bad way to open up an EP and get people’s attention if you ask me.

“Opening Night” is smooth, lounge-like R&B. It is chill and relaxed compared to the opener but definitely still has its place in a club but maybe after hours. You can hear a little bit of Jamie Lidell on So Cold if he collaborated with Twin Shadow on “So Cold.” The chorus is one of the most memorable and the song also boasts a number of inventive sounds and textures.

A.F. saved the best for last with the title track “Under Your Skin.” This track not only felt the most original but also the most single worthy. It’s a song you can picture being played on the radio or blasting out of someone’s car. He crushes it and in the end leaves a lasting impression.

Scott A.F. has got chops in all areas from sound design to songwriting. He is certainly one to look out for because you might be hearing more about him in the not too distant future.
Become A Fan - Ted Rogen

Pop music in 2015 is in a state of flux. With many artists relying on gimmicks like surprise albums, joint tours, social networking, and Kanye interrupting them at awards shows, the image of pop has never been more important than the music as it is today.

Enter Oklahoma singer-songwriter Scott A.F. an artist who is more concerned with his music doing the talking. His debut EP Under Your Skin doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of current pop, instead he has kept a low profile to make sure his art is the defining statement of his talents.

Like all great pop music the primary focus is romance: the opening song One Step Away is the love song of Mario and Princess Peach that we’ve been waiting for, I mean who hasn’t fought, literally, for those two crazy pixels to get together. One Step Away is a defining introduction to Scott’s particular brand, introspective lyrics, sweet, yet spiky melodies, and a big singalong chorus, and let’s not forget those excellent Nintendo-like synths.

Next up is the slow jam of Opening Night, a sweet lament to a female singer who’s “future is bright”. Scott takes his foot off the pedal for this song to great effect. Opening night feels more R&B with his synths and understated bass creating a dreamy atmosphere.

His talent as a multi-instrumentalist, as well as a great singer, is a little at odds on So Cold. While it’s certainly not a bad song he throws a lot of raw material at the song that with a little work could have stood on its own. With at least four different melodies So Cold has enough material for another EP but feels jammed together, still can’t fault his ambition.

To finish things off we have the double whammy of Save a Little Place and the closing title track. These tracks prove that talent wins out, these are the kind of radio-ready songs that will have dead inside indie fans (which I count myself as) turning to their friends with surprise in their voice and say “no it’s ok, keep it on.”

The only way is up it seems for Scott A.F. with Under Your Skin a melodic and effective opening statement from pop’s next star. Maybe someday in the near future Kanye will stage dive him at the Grammy’s, then he’ll know he’s made it. - Kevin Boyle

Singer-songwriter Scott A.F.’s newest release, the EP “Under Your Skin” is fun, smooth, fresh and easy to listen to. This set of tracks features a soulful sound with just the right amount of technical additions to fully enhance the artist’s raw talent. Scott’s music reminds me of artists such as Justin Timberlake with his smooth vocals and tight beats. It’s the kind of music that you can dance to or have on in the background…it’s versatile and just plain fun. Scott A.F. is a native of Winfield, Kansas and is described as a “best kept secret” on his Facebook page, because of how the artist prefers flying under the music scene radar. He’s managed to keep a low profile while working on this EP, which he hopes won’t be seen as just another pop album, but one with meaning.

The EP leads off with a track that has a great techno beat, its sound increasing throughout the song to include a lot of digital effects that really heighten the overall feel of the song. This is definitely a dance track and each of the elements such as vocals, lyrics and effects are well-timed and come together just right to make it an effortless hit.

This artist shows off some diversity on songs like his fourth track, which is much more mellow, but still has a driving beat. I really enjoy what he does on this song—his vocals the strongest component, but the beat and piano backing it up to give it a lot of power. Only artists with great voices can pull off this kind of song where the voice is front and center, the other elements falling into place behind it. Scott A.F. has an excellent voice and it is showcased especially on tracks like this one.

I found myself wishing this E.P. had more songs. Scott A.F. is great at creating music that you can get into almost instantly. His rhythms are contagious and he has a lot of talent musically. I would place his music into the genre of pop or soul/hip-hop, or a mix of both. But he brings something fresh to these genres with his effects which are not too heavily relied upon. Just enough of all of the components that work for him are used in each of these songs—he never goes overboard whether it is a high-energy or more relaxed track. This artist definitely achieves his goal of creating a unique pop album with more meaning. Judging from this release, Scott A.F. has a promising career ahead of him!

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/scottfleenormusic - Christen Johnson

"Everything from the title to production emerges itself to an emotion that we can all relate to. Open Water is about giving 100% of yourself to someone that you may or may not get anything back from. It was inspired by the errienest of uncertainty and being in that place with someone. THE REALM OF UNKNOWN, as almost as if you were in open water."

LINEUPOKC: So it may be a bit of an obvious question, but we always like to have a baseline question to start–what got you interested in music?

Scott Fleenor: “In high school I was a little bit of a troublemaker and kept losing my way. My mom decided my freshmen year of school to take me out of the classes I was currently in, and put me in art classes. Around the age of 17 was when I started to "want to sing." I went on to American Idol and almost made it to top 40. It was there that I realized this was my passion. In addition to that I started focusing on the direction of my career and what type of artist I needed to be. I wanted to be involved in every aspect of making my music. I wanted people to love me for my artwork and not someone else’s. I started moving around at the age of 20 and met a lot of influential people that got me really interested in writing my own music.”

LINEUPOKC: I love that. It sounds like you have a really connected process. That being said, tell me about the song and your creative process, your sound is unique and highly developed–how does something like that get from start to finish for you.

Scott Fleenor: “I started actually singing melodies at work one day and sung stepping into holy water. I knew I didn’t want it to be that but liked how the cadence and flow sounded. I wanted to do this hook because you know you’re stepping into open water and you know that if you put yourself out there... Well, she might not want you at the end of the day, but you want to show her that you’re willing to try.”

LINEUPOKC: What about influences, what is making an impact on your music?

Scott Fleenor: “I’m more in the process of changing my sound. Before it was other people making the music and now I am focusing on that myself. They hear more of my voice when I start producing the song, and I feel it's more soulful and I’m putting something out that was 100% of what the track really needed to sound like. I like to give it my all for the people listening to my music and know that I was there from start to finish. I’m really inspired by the UK sounds. I have been diving into tons of artist over there in the last year. I love big drums, soulful vocals, and that’s really what I’m focusing on right now.”

LINEUPOKC: Do you plan on staying in OKC?

Scott Fleenor: “Yes, I would love to stay in OKC and make a name for myself. I know right now that the scene for music is not where it will be in a few years, but I trust that time will come and there will be plenty of opportunities here. Music is a very important thing and I know that there is so much passion and art here. There are some really talented people here that I look forward to collaborating and working with. Once the opportunities present themselves I feel like there is so much potential for me here.”

LINEUPOKC: Anything else you want people to know about this song?

Scott Fleenor: “Just to know and feel the emotion of the story and hopefully connect with it on a personal level maybe someone is or has gone through the same things. Being as real as you can get."

LINEUPOKC: Ok, last question and thank you so much for interviewing with us. What’s next for you?

Scott Fleenor: “I’m really just working on singles, going on the road and doing shows, like SXSW. I'm truly focusing on my sound and trying to create every bit of my own music, and hope people just hear my sound and think it's amazing.” - LINE UP OKC

A wonderful pop electronic track by Scott AF ‘Open Water’ enters into the Our Culture library. Stunning vocals supported by a commercial electronic beat. This one is for your library! We introduce to you, SCOTT AF. - The UK's Our Culture magazine.

Everything from the title to production emerges itself to an emotion that we can all relate to. Open Water is about giving 100% of yourself to someone that you may or may not get anything back from. It was inspired by the errienest of uncertainty and being in that place with someone. THE REALM OF UNKNOWN, as almost as if you were in open water. - LINE UP OKC

http://ourculturemag.com/post/149082136635/new-scotty-af-open-water - Our Culture Magazine

A wonderful pop electronic track by Scott AF ‘Open Water’ enters into the Our Culture library. Stunning vocals supported by a commercial electronic beat. This one is for your library! - UK's OurCulture magazine

Everything from the title to production emerges itself to an emotion that we can all relate to. Open Water is about giving 100% of yourself to someone that you may or may not get anything back from. It was inspired by the errienest of uncertainty and being in that place with someone. THE REALM OF UNKNOWN, as almost as if you were in open water.

http://www.lineupokc.com/blog/2016/7/15/6qra90p2nf6g9wb6qd5ujuykfdxmou

LINEUPOKC: So it may be a bit of an obvious question, but we always like to have a baseline question to start–what got you interested in music?

Scott Fleenor: “In high school I was a little bit of a troublemaker and kept loosing my way. My mom decided my freshmen year of school to take me out and put me in art classes. Then when I was 17 that’s when I started to sing. I went on to American Idol and almost made it to the top 40. It was there that I realized this was my passion. In addition to that I started focusing on the direction of my career and what type of artist I needed to be. I wanted to be involved in every aspect of making my music. I wanted people to love me for my artwork and not someone else’s. I started moving around at the age of 20 and met a lot of influential people that got me really interested in writing my own music.”

LINEUPOKC: I love that. It sounds like you have a really connected process. That being said, tell me about the song and your creative process, your sound is unique and highly developed–how does something like get from start to finish for you.

Scott Fleenor: “I started actually singing melodies at work one day and sung stepping into holy water. I knew I didn’t want it to be that but liked how it sounded. I wanted to do this hook because you know you’re stepping into open water and you know that if you put yourself out there she might not want you at the end of the day, but you want to show her that you’re willing to try.”

LINEUPOKC: What about influences, what is making an impact on your music?

Scott Fleenor: “I’m more in the process of changing my sound because before it was other people making the music and now I am focusing on that myself, and now people can hear me more co producing the song, and I feel its more soulful and I’m putting something out that was 100% of what the track is going to sound like. I like to give it my all for the people listening to my music and know that I was there from start to finish. I’m really inspired by the UK sounds I have been listening to with big drums, soulful vocals, and that’s really what I’m focusing on right now.”

LINEUPOKC: Do you plan on staying in OKC?

Scott Fleenor: “Yes, I would love to stay in OKC and make a name for myself. I know right now that the scene for music is not where it will be in a few years, but I trust that time will come and there will be plenty of opportunities here. Music is a very important thing and I know that there is so much passion and art here. There are some really talented people here that I look forward to collaborating and working with. Once the opportunities present themselves I feel like there is so much potential for me here.”

LINEUPOKC: Anything else you want people to know about this song?

Scott Fleenor: “Just to know and feel the emotion of the story and hopefully connect with it on a personal level maybe someone is or has gone through the same things. Being as real as you can get."

LINEUPOKC: Ok, last question and thank you so much for interviewing with us. What’s next for you?

Scott Fleenor: “I’m really just working on singles and going on the road and doing shows at like sxsw, and really just focusing on my sound and doing every bit of my own music, and hope people just hear my music and think it's amazing.” - LineUpOKC