VISUAL TALES: Hi Leroy, Thanks for doing this shoot and interview for us. You were born in Abetxuko, Vitoria, Spain. For those unfamiliar with that region of Spain, what’s your hometown like, and did being from there help shape your musical future? 
LEROY SANCHEZ: It's quite a small town in the Basque Country of Spain. I think the population of my town is about 3,000 people or so. Growing up there, honestly, was amazing. It was a very small community where everybody knew each other, and I felt very loved and protected. Growing up in a place like that shaped my music—I think it gave me a strong hunger to pursue music and to do something bigger than myself, to get myself out there and make my people proud.

VT: Who are some of your musical heroes and influences?
LS: My musical influences aren’t tied to a specific artist because I truly fell in love with radio—that’s where I drew all my inspiration. I grew up surrounded by Spanish music, but when I discovered Top 40, I became obsessed with artists like Rihanna, JoJo, Maroon 5, and all those pop hits.

VT: Where do you get your inspiration from, and when do you know you've got a song that feels right and wants to share it with the world?
LS: Inspiration can come from many different places, even the smallest moments in a day. Sometimes you have to look for it, and other times it arrives unannounced. I just have to make sure that whenever it happens, I’m ready to let that inspiration in.

VT: Similar to other recording artists, you achieved recognition through social media (YouTube) initially, was that a planned strategy or otherwise? How do you feel about the world of social media now? Is it still a way to go if you want to be recognized? With the emergence of AI technology, from your perspective, is it a benefit for an artist like yourself or harmful?
LS: I began social media back in 2007, and at the time, there was no real strategy behind it. It was so new that it was just an exciting thing to explore. I remember uploading videos online simply for fun, with no way of knowing what could come from it compared to how things are now. Today, I do believe that every artist needs to be on social media because traditional media is not as accessible or as prominent as it once was. If you're a new artist, social media is essential—it's the name of the game.
As for AI, I think right now it can be a great tool for songwriters to create their art. I don't know where it will end up, but even if AI becomes more advanced, the human experience cannot be replaced. You will never be able to replicate what someone is feeling and how they choose to create their art. Because of that, I'm not too worried about it, and I’m also not too concerned because I don’t see AI playing live shows anytime soon.

VT: Like most recording artists in recent times, they often release singles or EPs as a way to introduce their music before a full-fledged album (as in your case, 2017’s Elevated). As an artist, what is the biggest progression in terms of your work that you have noticed?
LS: I guess it's always been a steady climb. I first started writing my own songs at home, then went online and started doing covers, and then I eventually began releasing my own music. The progression has felt quite organic in that way. I think the biggest transition was probably moving from covers to original songs. Fortunately, my covers became very popular, so I became known for them, but at the same time, I was writing all these original songs that I wasn’t able to release. When I finally started putting them out, people had to make that transition from covers to originals, and that was probably the hardest part. But now, seeing where everyone is at and how excited they are to hear this album is really amazing.

VT: Early in your career back in 2020, you released a holiday theme (mainly original material) EP, The Greatest Gift, which we find so refreshing since most recording artists save their holiday theme album until a bit later in their career. How did that come about? Is Christmas a favorite time for you?
LS: I love Christmas, and it’s probably my favorite time of the year. The reason I created this Christmas EP is because I love American Christmas music. I didn’t grow up with this kind of music in Spain, but I’ve always thought it was so cool that Americans create new Christmas songs every year. While there are so many classics, I wanted to add my own little grain of sand to this sea of Christmas music. Watch out Mariah, I’m coming for you!

VT: Besides being a recording artist, your compositions have been recorded by other artists and entered the Eurovision Song Contest, for example, the Spanish number 1 Billboard hit Chanel’s SlowMo. Is the writing process relatively the same as writing your own material? What’s it like to be part of Eurovision’s competition?
LS: I always try to approach songwriting from the same perspective: writing as if the song were for me. I think it’s important to add your personal flavor and draw from your own experiences whenever possible because people tend to connect more with something genuine. Working on the Eurovision Song Contest was honestly one of the craziest and most incredible experiences of my career. It’s a massive show with incredible artists from all over, and being part of something that big was truly special.

VT: You are about to release your official debut album, Sorry for the Chaos (Congrats). It’s been a long journey to get to this point. Tell us about the making of this album and the thoughts behind the songs. 
LS: Yes, indeed, it has been a long journey. I started uploading videos back in 2007, which eventually led me to come to the U.S. after a producer discovered me online. That led to me signing a record deal, a publishing deal, and a bunch of other bad contracts that ultimately left me stuck in a difficult situation as a shelved artist. It took many years to get out of that place, and unfortunately, there was a lot of time during which I couldn’t release my original music. It’s been 18 years since then, and it’s been a long journey. I’ve learned a lot, put in so much hard work, and rebuilt my team, trust, and confidence to finally have the courage to release a full piece of work. This project is a huge milestone in my career. Choosing the songs for this album wasn’t easy, but also in a way it was. I knew I wanted every track to be strong enough to stand on its own. To me, every song on this album is a single.

VT: Can you tell us about the creation of the imagery for the new single and album cover?
LS: I created the cover art for this album with Julian Dakdouk – he's an incredible photographer who has recently worked with Lady Gaga and Beyoncé. Just having the opportunity to collaborate with him was amazing. For the concept behind the cover, I had this idea in my head where I wanted to picture a false sense of calm. The blurred versions of me in the background represent the overthinking, the voices in your head that can sometimes get in the way (of a beautiful relationship in this case). The match in my mouth symbolizes that small yet volatile element representing the burning passion of a first relationship, while also signifying the potential for destruction—I'm the one holding the power to create chaos. Additionally, the oversized outfit conveys a sense of immaturity, suggesting that being in a new, serious relationship feels like trying to fill very big shoes.

VT: Your new music video to complement the track from your new album Fallin’ is a conceptually interesting one. You’re in it, but you are not the key subject in the video. What was the reason behind that decision, and what does that song mean to you personally?
LS: There’s a reason why I’m not the focused subject in my 'Fallin' music video or in my 'Nuclear' music video, and in any music video from now on for this album. The reason is that I want to shine a light on my songwriter side and truly highlight the story, rather than focusing too much on me. I believe it’s all about the song, the story, and the characters who can tell the story in the best possible way. I’m more than happy to take a step back in the story. The song is special to me, but just as special as every other song on this album.

VT: We are certain that with the new album, there will be plenty of promotion and touring to get this album going. What are your plans? 
LS: The plan is to release this music and continue putting content out because there’s still a lot to tell and a lot to show from this album. I’m working really hard on getting a few shows together. I’m not sure if it will be a fully fleshed-out tour, but I would love to get out there, see my fans, and share this album with them.

VT: Which track on the new album would you say is especially close to your heart and why?
LS: I really can't choose. I would love to give you an answer on this, but I truly think every song on this album is extremely special to me, and if it weren’t, it wouldn’t be on the album.

VT: From our shoot together, you have a big love for hats, specifically a certain type of hat, it actually ties with your style perfectly. What’s your view on fashion and your personal style?
LS: I love fashion. Hats became a thing while I was doing YouTube videos, and I started realizing that people recognized me more when I was wearing them, so I leaned into it. I honestly loved them so much, and I enjoy being creative with my outfits and, if possible, telling a story with them.

VT: Are there other recording artists you would like to collaborate with, and if so, who would be at the top of your list at the moment?
LS: I would love to collaborate with Ryan Tedder on the songwriting aspect of my career. I think he's one of the most talented songwriters, singers and producers ever. I would also love to collaborate with Yebba as well, such an amazing artist.

VT: The entertainment industry (film and recording) is going through major evolution. As an independent recording artist, what are the changes you would like to see so that it better serves artists like yourself?
LS: I would like to see changes on the social media side. I think it has changed tremendously over the years, and now it’s almost impossible to grow/build an audience. It’s become more about going viral from just one video. I miss the old days when it was more about building a community, subscribers, and a dedicated group of people who knew they could find you on a platform. Now, it’s more about random searches, and you never know what you’ll find while scrolling. That’s the kind of change I’d like to see.

VT: In terms of the future, let’s say down the road in the next five years, how would you like to envision Leroy Sanchez?
LS: I would love to see Leroy Sanchez with a second album out in the world, following Sorry for the Chaos, with fans eager to hear what’s next from me.