- Hey what's up you guys, Chelsea Briggs here with
Billboard, coming to you from Coachella,
and I am joined by Greyson Chance.
- Thank you so much for having me.
- I'm so excited to talk to you.
- Thanks, it's nice weather out today, right?
- This is your first time here at Coachella, right?
- This is actually my second time.
I came, I think it was 2012.
It's when they had the 'Pac hologram.
I was able to see that in real life,
so that was kind of cool.
- That's like one of the most iconic moments.
- Yeah, so that was kinda cool.
- That's awesome.
But you're here, you said you're not really gonna need
to see much of the festival though 'cause you just--
- Unfortunately I can't.
We just wrapped up tour and so I'm gonna back to Oklahoma,
where I'm from, and maybe sleep for the
first time in like eight weeks.
- You deserve it.
- Yeah, thanks. (laughs)
- So excited for you, obviously just released your album.
How is it being back in the spotlight?
'Cause you've taken some time off.
- I thought that I was sorta done
with music for a long time.
I went to university for two years--
- Live that college life, the best life.
- Yeah, in a way and sorta just finding a purpose again.
And honestly, the past few months of releasing this record
an playing it live have been so much fun.
I think for the first time in my career
I'm starting to do things that are on my own terms,
and it feels really good.
And, fortunately, people are still showing
up to listen, so that's nice too.
- Well, I just told you this,
I think the album's incredible
and not necessarily what I'd thought you come up with.
I don't know, it was one of those things
where I listen to it, and it was such a cool
evolution for you as an artist.
- Thank you so much, it felt like one too.
I don't think I could've written this record
at any time but this moment at my life right now,
so it feels good.
- Any thoughts, I think it would be such a full circle
moment if actually worked with Lady Gaga.
Like is that something that you've thought of,
or maybe have you met her?
- Yeah, we've developed a pretty good friendship,
and she's been someone throughout my career
that's really been amazing to telling me
to keep on going and kinda keep my head down
and focus on the work.
Yeah, that would be something very incredible
and very amazing, but I think she's a little busy.
- I know, but come on, you know.
- You make the call, come on,
help me out Chelsea, come on. - I'll see what I can do.
So you came out recently, as gay,
and obviously that was a surprise to some.
Why did you feel like it was this moment
that you wanted to, because you waited a little bit,
so why this moment? - I did.
If I'm being completely honest with you,
I thought for a while that
I maybe wasn't going to do it ever.
Because I was worried about people feeling
like it was going to be used as
an exploitation tactic for me to be like,
"Hey everyone, this is now apart of my brand,
"so now buy my music or do x,y,z."
And then I also just think I was waiting
for some self confidence.
I got a message online that really kind of
rocked my world from a fan in Arkansas,
and I felt like in that moment that I really needed
to have some confidence
and have some courage to do it.
I just posted a message on Instagram.
I don't know, if I'm being completely honest,
I didn't think about it a lot,
I just really sorta did it.
- Talked about, obviously you just released Portraits,
what is it about that album that
you are most proud of would you say?
- I don't know, a lot of people throughout
my career have told me, "Hey, you had one thing.
"That's it, that's all you're going to be known for."
And I think for me, the record is in a way
sort of a giant middle finger to a lot of people.
There was just a lot of conversation and talk of
this was it for you, this is all you have,
and it felt really good March 15th to put out
of a body of work and say, "I'm not done yet and I'm
"still writing my story and still creating it as I go."
- That's awesome.
So many incredible artists are here at Coachella,
are just kind of making a name
for themselves right now in the industry.
Billie Eilish comes to mind,
she's someone I think is incredible.
Who is someone for you that maybe is inspiring to you
or maybe someone you'd like to work with?
- I think at the moment,
Brandi Carlile is a huge inspiration for me.
I don't think she's playing here.
I know she's playing at Bonnaroo,
which I hope to see her there.
She's someone who, I think just as a songwriter,
really inspires to really be honest
within my storytelling and to just keep on going,
she's had a really long career.
So that's someone, on an aesthetic level--
- She's killed it this year with all her Grammy nominations.
- Tame Impala too of course always inspire me
and I'm so sad I missed their set last night.
- They're really good.
That's awesome.
Ariana Grande is performing tonight,
are you a big Ari fan?
- Well, we've known each other for a pretty long time.
She was in one of my music videos way back in the day,
but I told you I have that flight to catch so--
- You're gonna miss it! - I know. Live-streams.
- Yeah, that's true.
Did you hear though, that's she's bringing out NSYNC?
There's a rumor that's she's
actually bringing out NSYNC.
- Wow, okay, I'm ready to see it.
- So I want to know, my question for you,
related to that, is if you could bring out your childhood
hero onstage with you during a show, who would that be?
- Gaga, for sure, 100 percent.
Not even a question. - And we're here today
to celebrate, you've gotta show me your go to
celebration dance right now, as we're--
- Well, it's the fringe, right?
So you've just have to play with it.
- I tried to get in there-- - Get in there.
It's kinda fun. - There's very
little movement. - If you have a friend
that you're mad at, you can just like bop it back,
you know, it's kinda fun. - You're so awesome.
Have so much fun, good luck with everything,
and I know we'll see you soon.
- And enjoy the set, I hope you have wit it.
- Thank you, you're the best. - Cheers Chelsea, cheers.