Musical artist Felly took the stage on Oct. 29 at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club where he launched the second half of his tour.
Beginning as a hip-hop and rap artist, Felly has recently been experimenting and growing from rap to more indie-esque material with his new album Ambroxiyde.
Originally Christian Robert Felner from Connecticut, Felly got his start in music at age 13, listening to his parents’ vinyl records, sampling, producing beats and laying down lyrics. Drawing inspiration and influences from Paul Simon, Radiohead and Fontaines D.C., Felly’s seemingly sudden genre shift was expected from his perspective.
“I think it came pretty naturally,” Felly said. “When you release music over 10 years, I feel obligated to change.”
During his 10-year-long career, Felly has collaborated with multiple artists such as Disco Lines, Diamond Pistols and Carlos Santana.
Reflecting on his session with Santana, he highlighted the guitarist’s down-to-earth nature that solidified his view on creating music.
“I think it was just very refreshing after because … that’s what I grew up knowing music to be,” Felly said. “It was just a very healthy reminder of purpose and how to use my talents.”
For Felly, that healthy reminder has been what motivates him to write music in the first place.
“The real work that we’re trying to do is to touch people and reach them and bring them joy and love and light,” Felly said. “If it resonates and it’s real and it’s raw and it’s from the heart, there’s no telling what it could do to people’s lives and to your life.”
Dancing around, interacting with his bandmates and crouching at the edge of the stage to be closer to fans, Felly made the most out of the small venue. The crowd was small but mighty, with many dedicated fans belting out lyrics to their favorite songs as he performed.
“I started listening to Felly, probably in middle school and I was super excited when I found out that he was coming to Santa Barbara,” UCSB student Teagan Alstrin said. “I first found him on SoundCloud and I feel he’s grown a lot.”
Fans of any age came out on Oct. 29 with many dancing to the music and shouting out song requests as the night went on.
“My roommate back in my freshman year of college five years ago first introduced me to Felly and I didn’t even know him, but I really like his music,” recent UCSB graduate David Ryan said.
Felly’s tour includes 29 cities, continuing their tour in Oregon and other states on the West Coast.
