Brandon Roy Wronski aka Roy English has come a long way since working at Boise, Idaho’s very own Pizza Hut. The American singer, songwriter, producer (multi-hypen millennial) is on the come-up, and on his own. English started his musical career in a band you may (but probably don’t) know as Dead Letter Diaries. He later became founding member of an American indie-rock band Eye Alaska before launching a new group Under the Canary Dynasty, with which he declared he would take the moniker Roy English.

Fast-forward through stints with Republic Records, production on Lana Del Rey’s ‘I Can Fly,’ and touring with 5 Second of Summer, and the 29-year-old seems to have finally come into his own. We caught up with the artist to see what inspires his work, his life in LA, and his guilty musical pleasures.

What was your first introduction to music?

My mom always loved music. She’d have it on at the house all the time listening to Celtic music, and African music, and Joni Mitchell. There was always interesting music around me and she’d teach me about certain instruments.

Who are some of the artists that have inspired your work?

Joni Mitchell is probably the best lyricist of all time and I’ve been inspired by her. I listen to movie soundtracks a lot so people like Harry Gregson-Williams, Atticus Ross and Hans Zimmer. Then of course pop music and rnb. It’s a range like anyone from my generation who grew up with music at their fingertips.

Describe your style of music in 3 words:

Changing every day. I try to keep the industry part of it away from me. It can be very dark as you get deeper, but you just learn to surround yourself with good people. You kind of develop a sixth sense on people’s vibes. I think the most important thing is to do what you love.

Tell me more about your latest release – hotel pools.

Sneaking into hotel pools was something I used to do a lot. I produced it with my friend Michael Morgan out in Joshua Tree after getting off tour with 5sos a few months back. There’s also the remix that badhabit did that’s incredible.

You have quite a following – what approach do you take to social media?

I love the way social media lets me connect with fans. When I’m out on tour I love talking to kids and hearing their stories. It’s a really special thing the way music brings people together.

@royenglish

What’s the worst part about LA?

The worst thing about LA is there’s no real music scene. Everyone is fragmented and doing their own thing. I want it to feel like a community where we all help each other and make great art. We need a renaissance.

It’s a Sunday morning at home, what are you doing?

I’ve been in my studio all day working on production for a new song. Another one I wrote out in Joshua Tree. Really cool movie score meets rnb vibes.

You’re at a party and your music library is on shuffle, what guilty pleasures might come on?

I would hope that Blurry by Puddle of Mudd would be blaring.

What are your hopes for the rest of 2017?

2017 has been amazing so I’m excited to see how the rest of it unfolds. Got some more music coming out in the next few months and having fun with all that. Also launching some new designs for my I’m Not Here clothing brand that I’m really excited about this year.