Christian French went home again. All it took was a pandemic.

The fast-rising pop star said “peace out” to his LA crib and head back to his parent’s place in Indiana where he grew up. Instead of being bummed about leaving sunny La La Land the “i think too much” (RCA) singer-songwriter looked at the move as a chance to reconnect with the fam and work on himself. He spent his days there reading and journaling in the mornings and then getting down to business with his traveling studio set-up at nights.

French told Music Choice over the phone from Indiana (he’s now made it back to LA) he’d already written four or five songs he was super stoked on and talked about getting in the right mental headspace. Something he had more than enough time to work on during his time back in the midwest.

Below check out the chat where French tells us all about getting to work in quarantine and a big motorized purchase he made at the tail end of it.

Music Choice: You’ve been quarantined in Indiana, are you with family or friends?
Christian French: Yep I grew up here and I’m staying at my parent’s house. I’ve been here for a couple of months and I haven’t really gotten to hang out with them since I left for college five or six years ago. I’ve been sharing a room in LA so it’s nice to have my own space and stay up until four A.M. writing a song if I want to.

MC: Have you been getting along with your parents or have they tried to ground you yet?
CF: They love me being here!

MC: You mentioned staying up to write, are you also able to record at all?
CF: My second day here I was ready to make music. I had my guitar, interface, computer, and mic I was just missing a keyboard and speakers. I was able to get everything from a Guitar Center and create a make-shift studio. I’ve been really working on the guitar and practicing production.

MC: Are you making beats or learning to work with samples? What do those production nights look like?
CF: I’ll start with guitar and piano, finding and humming a melody. I’ll record the basics and lay down drums for a song. Then I’ll sit down and mess around until I find something I really like. I’ve worked with talented producers in the last few years. I’m not the guy to sit in the back of the studio and wait for my song to be finished. I want to watch every step so that’s coming to fruition as I’m able to create on my own.

MC: Since that second day when you were ready to make music have you felt consistently creative?
CF: I can sit with myself and think about what I want to say. Over this period, I’ve written four or five songs I’m really proud of. Some days inspiration takes longer than others because you can’t force it. You can’t sit down and aimlessly tap on some keys and hope something comes out.

MC: You wrote a long post online to coincide with the release of “I think too much” about getting out of your own head. Has that been a struggle while you have all this alone time at home?

what ‘i think too much’ means to me 🧠 i know it’s kinda long, but there’s a lot i wanted to share with u guys. hope this finds u at the right time ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b4ZemDsq7U

— christian french (@christianfrench) April 21, 2020

CF: I’ve definitely spent some time in my head. You can’t think your way into being the optimal version of yourself and I’ve wasted a lot of time doing that. Rather than living and experiencing every day. I’ve also been reading books about spiritual practices. A big author for me has been Don Miguel Ruiz.

MC: As you are on this journey to become your best self have you felt those ideas affecting your music?
CF: 100 percent. My music is about my personal journey. Overall, I want my music to have a positive impact on everyone listening. I want what helps me to help them too.

MC: What would you say is the thing you miss most about pre-quarantine life?
CF: Being in LA with my best friends who also happen to be my team. I miss the family dinners and morning meetings over coffee. I miss the energy.

MC: I also saw you post online about getting a new car?
CF: Subaru Outback baby!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_yP_r1JeDy/

MC: Had you been planning the purchase or were you like “the world’s upside down, let’s get crazy!”
CF: My car in LA has been broken down in the garage for a while and not worth the money to fix up. This car came up so I checked it out and loved it. Now it’s mine!

I did this drive from Indiana to move to LA in my old car. It will be nice to have air conditioning this time.

MC: Lastly, do you have a message for any fans who are reading?
CF: Do something you’ve wanted to do for a long time that you haven’t had time or the courage to do. It’s helpful to stay energized and excited and you never what it may lead to. Give it a try!