Last year was undoubtedly a breakout moment for fifteen-year-old Mississippi native and genre-bending alt icon Prentiss. He’s eclipsed the mainstream masses with high-profile performances at major US festivals, including Lollapalooza and When We Were Young Festival. From there, he’s further cemented himself as an artist to watch due to his high-energy live performances, sincere lyricism, and laid-back demeanor. Fast forward to 2023, and Prentiss has now fully established himself with the release of his debut LP, i tried. He can also add seasoned road dog to his resume, having just completed a run of dates opening for the beloved Tiny Moving Parts.
And that’s all without mentioning his most significant break coming in February with the release of “3am”. An infectious collaborative track with Anthony Green (L.S. Dunes, Saosin, Circa Survive) and Skrillex, the latter of whom featured it on his triumphant third studio album, Don’t Get Too Close.
Prentiss has now returned with his latest single, “Keys To The Brain.” It expands upon his signature blend of Lo-fi pop and emo, albeit with a faster and darker tone than ever before, to match the self-reflective nature of the lyrics, depicting Prentiss’ deep ruminations on teenage angst and blissful ignorance, the track is more universally relatable than he lets on. It serves as a charming reminder that no one has it all figured out, and that’s perfectly ok.
Now at the halfway point of the year, Prentiss is hungrier than ever. Hitting the road and expanding his live show and sonic offerings to the highest degree, he is also striving to work with a diverse range of dream collaborators across multiple genres. Always a prolific artist who releases music at a rapid-fire rate, “Keys To The Brain” is just an ambitious first taste of what will soon come.
What was the process of creating “Keys To The Brain” and the sonic influences you pulled from?
It had been a while since I made fast music, so that was a big inspiration. I was making a lot of slow, acoustic guitar stuff, and [this song] is a mix of that but sped up twice as much. The dark influences came from random artistic visions and me figuring out how to make music that tells a story. I never try to make anything dark on purpose.
Speaking of the story behind the song, what were you trying to convey lyrically with “Keys To The Brain?”
It’s ironic saying this as a teenager, but the main thing teenagers think is that they know everything. The song’s premise is that I thought I had it all and knew it all, but [ultimately], I knew nothing.
2023 has already felt like the year where you have fully established yourself as a significant presence in the music industry. With the release i tried, what has the reception been like so far? Have there been any learning experiences?
I’ve learned that touring is the most important, rewarding, and fun part. The first two years [of my career], I was so young and was playing that stupid-ass internet game, but now I just went on tour for the first time with Tiny Moving Parts. I was playing new stuff from the LP, the Skrillex collaboration. Yeah, the music wasn’t even close to Tiny Moving Parts’ sound. However, I could still tell that the fans liked hearing good music and liked what was going on, which was super inspiring. I definitely need to get back on the internet game. But if I could tour enough to make money to pay rent until I’m 90 years old, I’ll do that.
You mention “3am,” which has already become a cult classic track in its own right. What did this experience mean to you getting to work with such esteemed artists, and how did it inspire you going forward?
That track was years in the making. Skrillex hit me up and sent me a snippet of the song, and I basically fainted for fifteen minutes. After a little bit, I sent him my vocals, and he then came back with Anthony Green’s verse. When I listened to it for the first time, I was like, “This is crazy!” At that point, I was maybe fourteen years old and didn’t know Anthony too well, but now he has become a huge inspiration. When the song finally came out, it was perfect timing with the perfect people. I met Anthony at the When We Were Young Festival. He is an amazing person and the same with Skrillex. This moment proved that there are people out there who want to hear my stuff and push me in a new direction.
Are there any dream collaborations you would love to make a reality soon?
I’ve always dreamed of doing collaborations with Post Malone and Justin Bieber. But from a straight creative standpoint, there’s this artist Jean Dawson who is super sick. His production and visuals are just awesome. Sturgill Simpson is another one, who is such a left-field play, but the music is so dope.
With your eagerness to be on tour as much as possible, how do you want your live show to evolve?
I’m trying to learn the guitar, which takes a little bit. But I’ve already written some songs on the guitar and want to be able to play leads and be stripped down with just me and the guitar. I always want to have a drummer, another guitarist, and a bassist, but honestly, I’m an instrument guy. I’d love people coming out of the woodwork with banjos and shit. I have no jazz music out, but I’ve always loved the saxophone and think that would hit on anything. I want to make the show feel like a kid’s basement. They are cooking up music, drinking a few beers, and betting on Thursday night football. A big carpet, posters, and a goodwill couch — just something to give it a fun little vibe.
