Creativity often flourishes where curiosity meets authenticity, and few artists embody that philosophy as naturally as Levon Calloway. A songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, Calloway has built a reputation for creating music that refuses to be confined by genre or convention. His latest single, “Home,” is a compelling example of that artistic freedom, blending thoughtful storytelling, evolving grooves, and sophisticated musicianship into a listening experience that rewards every revisit. Inspired by Detroit’s resilient creative community and recorded through a collaboration spanning Los Angeles and Prague, the song reflects both the power of community and the importance of finding a place where creativity can truly thrive.
In this exclusive interview with Spinex Music, Levon discusses the inspiration behind “Home,” his old-school approach to songwriting in an AI-driven era, the value of working with world-class musicians, the future of authentic music, and why genuine artistry will always have a place in an ever-changing industry.
Congratulations on the release of “Home”! It’s a remarkably original song that blends sophisticated musicianship with an unforgettable groove. What inspired the track, and what does Home personally mean to you?
Thank you for the kind words, it makes me really happy to know that you felt something positive from my song, Home. I was in my studio just playing whatever came to mind on my electric piano. The syncopated chord progression just came to me and all of a sudden, I had the roots of the song. I immediately started hearing rhythms and melodies in my head that would compliment this chord progression. I had recently watched one of Anthony Bourdaine’s episodes on Detroit. I was inspired by the Detroit community, pulling together through adversity , making it work and how the affordability and loft spaces made the city an ideal home for artists. Home personally means a lot to me as a musical expression and as a comfortable shelter with a music studio. I dig studios in general, a place designated for creativity and fun.
For readers discovering your music for the first time, how would you describe Levon Calloway as an artist, and what makes your approach to songwriting different from today’s musical landscape?
I am a musician who listens to a lot of music from many different musical styles. I incorporate what I hear in to what I write, subconsciously. I guess that is a cliche but its true for me. I like playing authentically in different styles rather than playing in one style only. This keeps the groove interesting when it keeps changing and evolving. As a musician and songwriter, my process is organic, instrument based and more of an old-school method. I don’t use AI in my music creation process not even for mastering. Also, I have been around a while but for the Levon Calloway project, nobody knows exactly who I am yet and I am not appearing in my music videos, yet. I will reveal my identity at some point, stay tuned.
The idea for “Home” was sparked by an Anthony Bourdain episode about Detroit, where creativity flourished despite adversity. Do you believe great art is often born from struggle, and how has that philosophy shaped your own creative journey?
Certainly some great art comes from struggle, going way back to Swing Low Sweet Chariot by an unknown writer, to The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I always felt Swing Low as a song and recorded my own version with the great bass player Fernando Saunders who took the song to a higher level with his fretless bass and backing vocals. Check it out on spotify, youtube or wherever you like to stream, its a different take on the song but true to it’s roots.
“Home” feels like more than just a song; it feels like an experience that constantly evolves with every listen. When composing music, do you consciously aim to challenge conventional song structures, or do you simply follow wherever the music naturally leads you?
I go where the music leads me. I can’t sit down with the plan to write an odd metered song in 7 time, it will never happen that way. I might be playing chords in 5 time and all of a sudden start writing a song in that tempo, naturally.
Your music combines thoughtful lyricism with sophisticated arrangements that reward careful listening. In an era where shorter, algorithm-driven songs often dominate, how important is it for you to create music that invites listeners to slow down and fully immerse themselves in the experience?
I really appreciate the acknowledgement. Over time, I have learned how to write lyrics that tell an understandable story rather than writing only with vague flowery lyrics. Home is about modern Detroit, I wrote a funk song about the great traditions of New Orleans, biographical songs about Peter Tosh ( Peter Tosh the Song ), Joni Mitchell (Joni ). The listener can really follow the stories. For arrangements, I have no formal training but it comes naturally and arranging is really fun for me. Algorithm driven songs are the modern way and part of the devaluation of recorded music. I recently saw youtube videos where the hosts are instructing listeners on how to use AI music platforms to generate algorithm friendly songs and make a lot of money. I can’t get in to that way of thinking and I believe the quality, nuance and heart that goes in to song creation mean everything. The songs I write are more likely to be enjoyed by the music fan who wants to hear music that draws the listener’s attention to detail, instrumentally, lyrically and provokes thought.
You’ve worked with an incredible lineup of world-class musicians throughout this project. What have you learned from collaborating with such experienced artists, and how have those experiences influenced your own growth as a musician?
All the musicians who play on my songs are better technical musicians than I am, and I always learn a great deal from them. They are mostly jazz musicians, and I love the way they sound on my songs which is often jazz influenced but is not jazz. I learned that approach from reading about some of the recordings by David Bowie, Steely Dan and others who brought in Jazz musicians to play on sophisticated rock songs and it really works. You get certain sounds and techniques that are different than what a primarily rock artist might give you, as a generalization. Not a knock on rock musicians, I am one too. The musicians in my bands have helped me shape my songs and take my songs to a higher level. I can also handle recording more parts on my own from what I have learned from them.
As a songwriter, producer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, you wear many creative hats. Which role challenges you the most, and which one brings you the greatest satisfaction?
The technical sound engineering part is the most challenging. I have no formal training. I learned how to use Logic by going to the Apple Store with that One to One thing they offered where you could get an hour a week with a Logic expert for like 100 bucks per year, amazing deal. I would learn as much as I could on my own and have the Logic expert teach me what I could not figure out. I am lucky to be friends with the great 7 string guitarist Fabiano Nascimento, and we would do a lot of demo level recordings of his songs when I started sound engineering. Over time, I just improved and now I create fully mixed and mastered songs. The most satisfying part of the process is when I finally have all the parts properly dialed-in and I sense that the song is just about done. The final tweaks are a blast. I also feel great when I get a really good vocal recording.
The music industry has changed dramatically over the years. As an independent artist, what do you believe are the biggest opportunities and challenges musicians face today?
Recorded music has been quite devalued but completely needed for musicians to create. AI will keep getting better and take away musician work for jobs like jingles, background music, bad pop songs. AI is good at creating the bad and bland music that has always been around but played by people. This will eventually increase the value of the truly unique and creative musician because people will eventually want more authenticity as they get tired of the bland and predictable music. At least some fans will and plenty already do. Clearly the biggest opportunity is in Live Performance.
Looking back on your musical journey, what’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self when you were just beginning to pursue music professionally?
Be more focused on the craft and practice scales more, particularly uncommon scales and don’t stay in the comfort zone for too long. Learn how to play in a style that is new to you and challenging.
Finally, what exciting projects can fans look forward to after Home, and what message would you like to share with everyone who continues to support your music around the world?
I recently dropped a music video for a song called the Monster, kind of a folk-rock ballad with humor. Folks on youtube are paying attention. I have been making fun AI videos to visually tell the story of my lyrics and human music. It’s a trip to be able to create whatever type of visuals you want for your song. Some of my AI videos would be prohibitively expensive to film and I am very clear that they are human music, Ai videos, not trying to fool anyone. I have a number of Roots Reggae songs that I will be dropping soon. I am really in to Reggae, the simplicity combined with subtle nuance. You gotta love music that enables you to turn the bass up super high and it still works.
