With his maxi-single, “Firefly,” out now, we took some time to hear from Block. Read below to learn more about Block, the story behind “Firefly,” and what’s to come.

Hi Block! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Well, it is my last name! I started my career in the “before times” when monosyllabic singer-songwriter names were the rage!

What city are you from, and where are you based now?

I grew up in eastern Long Island on a little spit of sand in the Atlantic Ocean, and now I live in New York City. The greatest city in the world.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I was lucky to have inadvertently gone to a rich incubator of independent music when I went to college: Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Everybody was forming bands and writing songs. There were great little clubs and a fantastic radio station called WXYC! The Flat Duo Jets, The Connells, Superchunk, Dillon Fence – the list goes on and on. I just immersed myself in the whole thing. Somewhere in that I started to write songs.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

That’s always a tough one. Describing your own music. People have compared it to Lou Reed and Beck, which is super-flattering.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

In order to stay creative, I have to stay “open.” That’s maybe the hardest thing to do. So many things that happen in life can make me wanna shut down. If I’m shut down, there’s no creativity and I’m living in fear. I work very hard to stay open—especially when it’s uncomfortable.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

It’s an eclectic mix. I really enjoy people who take risks with their music. It’s hard to imagine how risky an album Pet Sounds was to make for example—but it was at the time! The whole “Seattle sound” really blew my mind at the time in the 1990’s. Old folk music and old blues like Blind Lemon Jefferson. Bob Dylan of course. And oh yeah, The Beatles!

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

My mom died when I was really young, 20 years old. I was playing guitar in her hospital room when I was home from college visiting her. I was playing the songs I knew she liked and then I played a song called “Independence Day” that I had just written. One of the very first songs that I wrote. I didn’t tell her that I wrote it. When I finished, she looked up at me and said, “Did you write that song? It’s wonderful.” Of all the things that have happened in my career that have been amazing, that was the one, before I even had a career, that means the most to me.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

It’s somewhat cliché and everybody says it, but it’s also very true. Always follow your gut. Your true north. There are a lot of factions that have opinions about music as it’s being made, and that can be very distracting. The key for me is to stay connected to the mystery and adventure of the process.

Now onto your release, “Firefly.” What inspired the maxi-single?

Well, that one is a song about my brother, Michael. He died about eight years ago to the disease of addiction—I suppose it’s also about other people that I’ve lost in that way over the years. So many. The song came to me like most songs do. Pretty much fully formed, but I had no idea what the song was about. Once I did, I put in that last verse about dancing under the trees with fireflies. I’m very proud of this song.

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Firefly?”

Photographer Dave Doobinin and I noticed that if we smashed pillows together on the couch, then the room would fill with dust. And the way the light was angling through it made it look like little stars. Which fits perfectly with the lyric of the song.

What was the creative process like when making“Firefly?”

Well, there’s two parts to “making” it. The first part is the writing of it. And that’s totally separate. I’m pretty tired trying to get it exactly right. Every word. Every syllable. And then there’s the second part: the recording of the song. That’s just so much fun. You have to be careful in the studio though, as there’s so many electronic computerized perfection mechanisms that exist. I like keeping the imperfections in the track. Those are the things that make it human and unique to me.

How long did it take to complete “Firefly?”

From beginning to end to write it, it took about a week. Most of it came in one sitting, but that last verse had to percolate inside me for a few days before it came out.

What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “Firefly” and your music in general?

I can say that I honestly have no “message” in my music. It’s just an offering, an externalized expression of my experience. Take it or leave it.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I have some shows coming up in different parts of the country. Which is really really exciting. It’s been a long time since I’ve been out on the road. You can find the list of my tour dates on my record label’s website, https://ecrmusicgroup.com/labels/meridian/block, or on the Bands InTown website, under Block – Musician.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Facebook: @theblockreal or https://www.facebook.com/theblockreal
Instagram: @theblockreal or https://www.instagram.com/theblockreal
Threads: @theblockreal or https://www.threads.com/@theblockreal

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!