prettyboyshav on "is it raining where you are?"
New York artist prettyboyshav proves that you can be pretty and cool on his latest track "is it raining where you are?" The name prettyboyshav stems from the artist’s fascination with soft things. Citing Call Me By Your Name’s Michael Stuhlbarg speech and Frank Ocean’s Panorama performance as two of his biggest influences at the time, prettyboyshav remains unafraid to push the boundaries of typical masculine norms, and with that comes the vulnerability that is evident in his latest release. I got the chance to speak with prettyboyshav about his newest single, “is it raining where you are?” The song will be featured on his upcoming project, too pretty for sunshine, which is set to release in the coming months.
OKAY, BREAK DOWN THE TITLE FOR ME. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CALL THE SONG “IS IT RAINING WHERE YOU ARE?”
the name came from friends in Austin at SXSW in 2018. i was hanging out with a friend and she wanted to get a tattoo and i wanted to get a nose ring. she said, “if it’s raining tomorrow, let’s do it.” i’m not sure why. lol. but the next day, at a Gus Dapperton outdoor set, it started to lightly drizzle...on a literal level i was like, “i wonder if it’s raining where she is.”
WHAT WAS THE WRITING PROCESS LIKE?
this song is a kindred spirit of “white nails.” kind of like twins with different personalities. the essence of both were captured the same day, 24 hours after I got my nails painted bright white for the first time. i was with Sage and his beat stopped my heart. it was liberating. i felt free—or closer to it. ready to process. white nails knocked on the door of freedom. “is it raining” crossed a moat to get us there.
HOW IS THE SONG DIFFERENT FROM YOUR PREVIOUS RELEASES?
i think this song pushes the sonic boundaries of what’s possible in pop.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LINE FROM THE SONG?
“meet me at the drive-in/eating at the drive-through/but you’re in the rearview now.” thinking about high school nostalgia—looking in a rearview. it was the reflection on a flame from a different time.
THE LAST LINE, “I JUST WANNA CRASH WITH YOU,” REALLY FITS THE WHOLE THEME OF DRIVING AND HIGH SCHOOL NOSTALGIA. WAS THERE A REASON YOU CHOSE TO END THE SONG THERE?
why do you think i chose to end the song with that line? does it mean i want to crash and burn with this person? does it mean i want make it to the end and be together? or does it mean i want to crash for the night? your guess is as good as mine.
*THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR CLARITY AND LENGTH. YOU CAN LISTEN TO PRETTYBOYSHAV ON STREAMING SERVICES LIKE SPOTIFY AND APPLE MUSIC.
