This week, we want to introduce you to PopWrapped’s next artist to watch, STRUAN. Having grown up in Virginia, and finding love for music at a young age, and then later losing his love for music – STRUAN has had quite the story with music and eventually, he finally found himself and rediscovered his love for the art of music.

Taking inspiration from many artists, STRUAN also is an old soul, lover of groups like The Beatles, he embodies what a true artist is all about in our opinion, versatility and not confining yourself to be this genre or that genre. With a wide range discography, STRUAN is next up and no doubt, an artist that you are going to want to get your eyes glued to.

STRUAN just released his single, “Can We Be Friends”, take a look at what he told PopWrapped about the new track.

PopWrapped (PW): You grew up in Virginia and have opened up for several amazing artists. However, just a few years ago you started the “STRUAN” project. When did you realize you wanted to make a name in music for yourself? What was the driving force for you?

STRUAN (S): I think I knew from a very young age that I wanted to play music and write songs.  Starting when I was about eight years old I would fantasize about writing and singing Beatles’ songs to my crush (lol).I started playing in bands in middle school and high school. 

We weren’t amazing but were good for our age and got some cool opportunities.  By then I was hooked.  Writing songs and playing shows was all I thought about.  I think for me songwriting was really the way I processed my first heartbreak, being a teenager, loneliness, etc… Playing sold out shows and seeing other people I didn’t know connect my songs that I wrote in my bedroom—the way that I connected to my favorite bands—was a huge motivator to keep going and also gave me the belief that it was something I could actually do.

(PW): While developing your own discography, you’ve had a few low points and actually lost the love for music at one point. Tell us a little bit about that and how you rediscovered your love for music?

(S): My senior year of high school I generated a modest buzz in the DC area, signed with a manager, and was talking to labels and such, but I got distracted when I went to college.  Honestly I wasn’t ready yet musically.  I spent a few years looking around at what other people were doing and I forgot why I did music in the first place and became pretty burned out.  I could see the gap between the music I made and the music I wanted to be making.  

When I started releasing as STRUAN I really recovered the excitement I had in high school and felt free to just do what I wanted to do rather than what was expected of me.  I completely switched genres.  I started making music that I would actually listen to.

(PW): “Can we be friends” is the next single, following the release of “Want You Back Now”, you wrote with LVRBOY (Jordan DePaul) — which follows the love/relationship/etc storyline. How did you know this was the perfect follow up? Do you have any personal stories you can share that influenced Can we be friends?

(S): I wrote both of these songs pretty close together and they were all following the break-up of the same relationship.  I think they both really stood out to me because they were so different than what I had been doing and both drew influences from some of my favorite 90’s bands.  Lyrically, “Can We Be Friends” (and WYBN for that matter) are me asking questions I already know the answer to.  Without offending anyone, all I can say is I write my songs about personal experiences which really helps them follow a cohesive story line because it’s based on my life. 

(PW): You’ve mentioned the STRUAN project is authentically you – something you hadn’t necessarily experienced before. How do you best describe the body of work you’re currently crafting and how are you making sure that you’re confident that the music is staying true to yourself?

(S): I think of these songs as the  soundtrack to my twenties.  Being a songwriter and artist means forfeiting a little privacy and being honest about your shortcomings.  I think I did that in CWBF.  If I don’t feel it on a deep level, I’m not going to sing it.  Fortunately, I want to sing all of the stuff I’m working on so I know it’s true to me hopefully I can be the soundtrack to my listeners’ twenties (or teens or thirties…whatever) while we all figure out what we’re doing.

(PW): Your project so far has followed a relationship story line. With the EP/Album that you’re building – do you plan to keep this theme? what can we expect from the music that’s to come?

(S): Unfortunately I generally suck at writing anything other than about relationships.  Fortunately, I have some messy stuff to draw from.  I wrote a lot of these songs during the fall out of my last relationship, but I venture out of the break-up songs a little bit—not everything has been bad on the dating front.  I LOVE the upcoming stuff.

(PW): Want You Back Now, Can We Be Friends, Go Out With Friends, & Even Elizabeth are all stunning tracks that include beautiful production. Are you working with any artists that you are looking forward to being apart of this journey? If so, who? & is there any particular artists you have on your radar to work with?

(S): Thank you so much! I’m always writing for other artists which is something I absolutely love.  I also have a track I’m featuring on coming out this summer with…Hannah Trager.  It’s gorgeous.  This is the first time I’ve leaked that…sorry Hannah.  If you haven’t heard her go listen.  She’s got a gorgeous voice and is an incredible songwriter.

I’d LOVE to work with Lennon Stella.  I think she’d be perfect for a duet on a song I have coming out later this year.  We’ll see if I can make that happen.  Working with Sasha Sloan is another dream of mine.

(PW): Let’s talk pandemic fatigue – how are you staying motivated to continue working hard at music during this time? Have you had any moments of self doubt or struggle during this time that has effected your music?

(S): Honestly, it’s been really good for productivity.  I’m genuinely so ADD.  Quarantine, especially the first bit, was really good for me to grow as a producer and writer.  I took a lot of creative risks I wouldn’t otherwise.  CWBF is a product of that. 

I have a moment of self-doubt about every single day.  I think I’d be a little worried if I didn’t.  As much as it sucks, it keeps you from being delusional.  That said, I think it’s really important as a creative to let yourself have bad ideas and see them through.  If you write a song and it sucks you don’t have to release it.  I’m constantly needing to remind myself of that.

(PW): What do you want your audience to know about the music you’re working on? & how do you plan to not only grow your artistry – but your support system, too. 

(S): I’m working as hard as I can to get you the best, most honest songs I can.  I’ve been getting a lot of DMs saying how much you guys love the stuff I’ve been releasing.  It may seem like nothing to you, but that stuff is incredibly inspiring and seriously means a ton to me.  While I love music, it’s important for me to know I’m not just doing it for myself.  I’m also planning on putting together a live show that’s worth coming to.  So thank you for listening, and hopefully I will see you there and get to say hi in person…sooner rather than later!

STRUAN’s new single, “Can We Be Friends” is out now on all of your favorite platforms, now. If you want to follow along STRUAN’s journey, be sure to follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.