CVBZ Chats 'River' EP, Collaborations And More Before KAABOO

DEL MAR, CA – For the first time, electro-pop artist CVBZ is slated to take the stage in San Diego during KAABOO Del Mar, a three-day music, comedy, art and cuisine festival at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds.

CVBZ is the moniker of Sean Jacobs, a Los Angeles-based Oregon native who writes and produces emotional dance-pop songs that edge toward chillwave and R&B. He dropped his debut single, "Be Like You," in 2017, earning more than 12 million streams. In August, CVBZ released his five-track "River" EP.

In addition to his solo work, CVBZ co-wrote The Chainsmokers' track "Young" and collaborated with Cheat Codes and Fetty Wap on "Feels Great."

CVBZ is set to perform at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at KAABOO.

For more about CVBZ, read our interview with him below and visit www.facebook.com/cvbzmvzic.

Patch: How would you describe yourself as an artist?

CVBZ: I would describe myself as a self-contained artist. Don't get me wrong, I love collaboration! Nothing beats the feeling of bringing great minds with great ideas together to form a body of work; but that being said, I guess I'm intrinsically a "lone wolf" (or bear lol) musician. I work best when I am alone and able to immerse myself in silence, so I can penetrate my ego, and find my truth. I write my best music out on hikes, walking around my neighborhood and producing the music glued to my phone, entranced in a flow state. We all hold memories deep within our bones, and in those memories are a plethora of moments and feelings that can be expanded upon infinitely — defined, reexamined and transmuted into gold. Everything I need is already here, deep inside of me.

Patch: What are some of your musical influences?

CVBZ: I grew up listening to Hall and Oates, Stevie Nicks, Michael Jackson and Phil Collins. I learned how to write songs like Elton John, Taking Back Sunday and Eminem — drawing inspiration from everything I listened to. Eventually, figured out how to combine flowery, poetic language with deep vulnerability, with brash and brutal honesty. Lyrically, I found a balance of combining melodramatic romanticism with 'shock and awe!'

In my time as a rapper, I took influences from Drake, Kanye West, Macklemore and The Weeknd, and crafted a more soulful voice with rhythmic cadences and further developed my range.

As I moved further into singing, I got really into bands like St. Lucia, Bon Iver, Bastille and The 1975, and tried to incorporate retro elements into modern pop derived from Justin Bieber's "Purpose" album.

Since then, I pretty much listen to it all, and have so many idols to thank for the way my sound has developed.

Patch: How did you get your start in music?

CVBZ: I started with a band called Newcomer in high school. I got bullied a ton, and had a rough time being accepted amongst my peers. One day, after getting brutally rejected from a girl named Diana, I knew music was the only way I'd stand [a] chance to win over someone's heart in such a shallow and competitive social ecosystem.

Patch: What was it like working with The Chainsmokers on "Young" and Cheat Codes and Fetty Wap on "Feels Great"?

CVBZ: It was a dream come true. I had zero expectations of having monster collaborations so early in my career — but then again, I was constantly manifesting such dreams, so when it happened, it wasn't much of a surprise. It felt more like, 'Oh yeah, this is what was supposed to be.' Each event held a bevy of challenges
To overcome and ultimately taught me the importance of self-reliance and owning who you are and what you're here for.

Patch: What are some other artists you'd love to collaborate with?

CVBZ: I'd love to work with Justin Vernon, Sonny More, Banks and Post Malone. Fetty used to be at the top of that list ... and still is.

Patch: Congrats on the release of your EP! Tell me about "River" and the process of making the EP.

CVBZ: "River" was a long time coming! I had written some of those songs two years ago, and others two months ago. They all tell a story that I've lived over and over again in my lifetime: a story about picking the pieces back up and reclaiming your life after your heart is broken. The production is reminiscent of the style of music that I was into during those times, therefore, has 2015-2016 EDM feel to them.

Patch: Do you have a favorite track?

CVBZ: Hmmm ... I'd have to go with "Look Where We Are" because it evokes so much emotion that is ubiquitous to young love, and has beckoned so much relativity to listeners, and the songwriting is quite story-teller folkish in its essence.

Patch: Your performance at KAABOO in Del Mar is just a few weeks away. Have you performed in the San Diego area before? What can fans and people new to your music expect?

CVBZ: This is my first time performing in San Diego and I couldn't be more excited, to be honest! People can expect very high energy, a lot of emotion, and plenty of awkward laughs and WTF moments!

Patch: Will you get a chance to enjoy the festival? If so, who are you looking forward to seeing?

CVBZ: Yes, I am most excited to see Post Malone and Jewel! In fact, I might even be doing a Jewel cover during my set.

Patch: What's next for you? (Is there anything else you'd like to add?)

CVBZ: I have a bunch of new music coming out, and I can't wait for everyone to experience what I've been putting my heart and soul into!

Also see:

• 3-Day KAABOO Del Mar Festival Sold Out
• KAABOO Del Mar 2018 Concert Lineup Announced

Photo credit: Ryan Forsythe