Adam Klobi didn’t start out planning a music career, he just loved singing covers. But what began as casual online posts quickly turned into something bigger, shaping his artistic voice and setting the stage for his first full project. Now, he’s stepping into original music, duets, and a sound that blends nostalgia, folk warmth, and pop experimentation.
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You had a major online presence before releasing your own music. How did those early covers, especially the ones that went viral, shape your artistic identity?
Adam Klobi: This whole “being an artist” thing is super new to me. Until I was about 20 or 21, I had no idea this was something I wanted to do at all. When I found my love for music and singing, I just couldn’t stop playing covers or making music in general. It definitely annoyed my parents a bit. Those early covers shaped me in a huge way. They gave me a backbone and showed me that maybe this was actually possible, even though it didn’t seem realistic at the time. I think it’s really special that anyone can be an artist now. You just need your phone, and that’s one of the best forms of publicity there is. It’s all about putting yourself out there fully.
What was the turning point that pushed you from strictly doing covers to stepping into your own original releases?
Adam: I didn’t really know how to go about it at first. I was working on my own stuff and trying to find ways to express myself, saying things I wouldn’t normally say out loud. I started posting small snippets and being very vulnerable, which is honestly a scary thing to do. When I did post, though, the response was really positive. It gave me confidence, especially realizing that people were connecting with it and maybe even needed it more than I did. I just kept posting, and when those moments really landed, it made me think, “Okay, I should take this seriously.” I’m beyond grateful that it’s working out.
You split your time between Los Angeles and Nashville, two very different creative hubs. How do those environments influence your music differently?
Adam: As much as I love LA, I don’t know if it feels like home or ever will. It’s very work-focused, which is great for what it is. The weather is amazing, too. Nashville, on the other hand, feels very homey. In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Canada. People are open, welcoming, and just down to create. The time I spend in Nashville has been incredibly shaping for who I’m becoming as an artist.
Your music blends folk warmth with pop elements. How do you navigate that balance when you’re writing?
Adam: I don’t try to write genre-specific songs at all. A lot of those songs came from what I was listening to at the time. With this new era I’m starting to roll out, it’s a bit more rock-oriented and closer to my roots. I’m really excited about it because I don’t think writing needs to conform to genres. My favorite artists just do whatever they want, and that’s what I want to do too. I’m excited to experiment and put out music that feels borderless.
You’re known for emotionally honest songwriting. What does vulnerability in songwriting mean to you?
Adam: I think it’s one of the only places where we can truly be honest and vulnerable without judgment. Even just listening to music says a lot about you, but it’s something you can’t really be judged for. When I write, I don’t think there will ever be a time where I hold back how I actually feel or think. Someone else might need to connect with it more than I need to write it.
“Peace of Mind” is your first duet ever. What drew you to working with Run for Short, and how did that collaboration come together?
Adam: That was such a great experience. I love “Peace of Mind.” We wrote it in a session back in April with producer Jeff Hazen, who I absolutely love. He asked if another artist he works with could join us the next day, and I said sure. She’s (renforshort) from Toronto, so I was excited to connect with someone from home. We clicked instantly, and the song came together so naturally. It was very vulnerable for both of us and something we deeply resonated with. When I heard her voice on the chorus, I knew she had to be on the song. It evolved from her doing harmonies to becoming a full duet. I’m really grateful she wanted to be part of it and was just as excited as I was.
Did working with her shift your creative approach?
Adam: Definitely. Before that, I was very isolated in how I worked. I’d mostly finish songs on my own and then bring them to someone else. Starting from scratch with another person is completely different. You have to be open in the moment, without having everything figured out yet.
“We Were Never Just Friends” digs into blurred emotional boundaries. What inspired that story?
Adam: I’m really excited about that one. The emotions throughout the song are very present, even though the lyrics aren’t super dense. There’s no crazy wordplay, especially in the chorus. It’s just a feeling. There are only a few words in the chorus, but it creates a world where you can sit with the emotion. It also starts to push into the new genre I’m stepping into, which is exciting.
“RUT” was a powerful reflection on mental health. How has the audience response to personal themes like that influenced your songwriting?
Adam: It’s been incredible. I still can’t believe how well it’s doing and how much people continue to connect with it. It showed me that I don’t need to write for anyone else. I can just write for myself and be honest about what I’m going through. People connect with it because it’s real. I didn’t think that would be the case at all, but now I’m excited to keep digging deeper with my writing.
Your cover of “Iris” really blew up with over four million views. What does it feel like to reinterpret such a classic song at that level?
Adam: It’s pretty crazy. I posted it on a day where I just needed to post something. I love the songs I cover, but I never expected that kind of response. That genre of music is really special to me, and seeing people resonate with my voice on such a timeless song gives me extra confidence to lean further into that direction.
You’re actively working toward your first full project. What emotional or sonic ideas are anchoring this body of work?
Adam: It’s centered around a feeling I’ve had my whole life, and it’s become more present in recent years: romanticizing nostalgia. It’s not always a good thing. We tend to look back and remember only the good moments while forgetting the harder parts. This whole project feels like a 2000s movie credit scene, where the credits roll and there’s this big emotional moment driven by music, nostalgia, and the feeling of growing up.
What do you hope listeners take away from this new era?
Adam:I want people to realize that they can do whatever they want in terms of chasing goals that feel unachievable. I started music at 21 or 22, and I’m not even 24 yet. Being able to live off it still feels unreal. You don’t need a million dollars to start. You need your phone and the willingness to try. It’s never too late. You can be 35 or 45 and still start doing what you love. It just takes risk.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone looking to get started in music?
Adam: The thing I hate admitting, but it’s true, is that you just have to put yourself out there. Post and keep posting, even when it’s not perfect. I still struggle with wanting everything to be curated and perfect, but people don’t care about that. They want to see you for who you are. If you’re not where you want to be yet, that’s okay. That goalpost will keep moving as you grow. I look back at things I posted two years ago and cringe, but I’m so glad I did it. Without that, there’d be no proof of growth. You just have to be vulnerable and do it, whether it’s music or anything else.
