The interview doesn’t end when the camera cuts away. With “Cut For Time”TODAY.com asks the burning questions our hosts can’t solve on air.
Magnus Ferrell is having a breakthrough with a little help from his enthusiastic father Will Ferrell.
Earlier this year, Will Ferrell played a snippet of Magnus Ferrell’s song “Asleep Talking” on Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson’s podcast.
Their immediate and heartfelt reactions led to a viral moment and the 22-year-old actor’s years of music coming under the spotlight.
Magnus Ferrell, a sensitive, soulful singer known for his falsetto voice and groovy rhythm, may seem like a contrast to his father, whose voice has famously been likened to “Fergie and Jesus combined.”
But jazz musicianship actually runs in the family. Will Ferrell’s father, Roy Lee Ferrell, toured with the Righteous Brothers for 20 years.
We caught up with Magnus Ferrell after he hit the stage with Jenna & Sheinelle on TODAY on September 30, where he performed his breakout hit.
Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson have had incredible reactions to your music. what was it your reaction to their reaction?
I knew this would happen beforehand. I just knew you’d play the song. I was in Oregon at the time and three or four weeks ago the podcast interview (because it was recorded) I had forgotten it happened. I’m in the middle of the woods, there’s no cell service, and the only connection to the internet was through the cabin Wi-Fi. I kept running back and forth towards the cabin in the woods, trying to be where I was, but also trying to control this moment and my life’s dreams coming true before my eyes, which was incredible.
Because you can’t fake a reaction like that. You cannot imitate a father who is so proud of his son. How does it feel to have this support?
I was a little jaded about it because I’ve been so lucky to have had this my whole life. It was kind of like, ‘Oh my God, people don’t recognize him as the father.’ They know him as an actor and we kept the family part of it very secret. It was so nice for everyone to see that moment and what kind of a father he was. It meant a lot to me because it was his pure reaction. I’m so lucky to have this support.
It must feel pretty good to have the whole internet saying, “Wow, he’s really good.”
Yes. I never thought my music would connect with so many people, but here we are.
When did all this start for you?
I’ve been playing the piano since I was 5 years old, and music has been a part of our family for a very long time. My father’s father, my grandfather, was a touring musician and toured with the Righteous Brothers. He played keys, piano, organ and alto saxophone.
That’s where funk comes from.
Exactly, that’s where the groove comes from. This whole experience led me to reflect on the past. “S—, am I ready for this? Is this what I want to do? Is this what I want my existence to be?”
What is “this” when you say you don’t know if you are ready for this? You’ve seen what fame is and what it’s like up close.
I think everything happens for a reason. I’ve been making music for five years, so it’s been a long time. I’ve had a lot of time to improve and I’m very, very grateful for that. I’m really lucky that I wasn’t in the spotlight when I released my first song. I am very sensitive and I attach great importance to my music. And I think if this had happened when I was younger and a novice, it might have discouraged me from continuing.
One of the best things I’ve learned is that not everyone will like your music, so you need to focus on making music that you can actually listen to for yourself.
Because of the position I’m in, I believe I have a distinct advantage simply in terms of being in the spotlight. I am the son of an actor. It will just be something that is there. So I’m really proud of my work ethic and practicing my instruments, my vocals, my piano, and other things that I really want to get good at. I still think there’s a lot I want to get better at, and I have a lot of potential to continue to improve. I’m not quite where I want to be yet in terms of being a musician. I feel really comfortable in the position I’m in right now. But yeah, I’m excited to get better.
You’ve said that ‘Asleep Talking’ was the first song that really made you feel like you. What about Magnus and how did you arrive at this sound?
I grew up in jazz band and met one of my best friends and closest collaborators through jazz band. In terms of co-writing and releasing music, that was something I felt was missing from the music I was making before. “Sleep Talking”, “Oh, this is finally what I’ve been looking for.” It was the first song that said. This is something I would listen to on my own. I’m happy with how this sounds and I’m not overanalyzing what’s going on. It is not very heavily manufactured.
I felt this way after an incident and a certain experience. We wrote about it. We tried to take the emotion of that event and put it into the song, and I’m happy with every part of it. It’s not like, “Oh, I wish we could change this. Oh, I wish this melody was different.” I am happy and satisfied with all this.
How do you feel when people call you the new Robin Thicke?
This is truly a great honor and I still have a lot to prove, you know. It’s the world of the funky white boy like Justin Timberlake. It’s a lot to achieve but I’m excited to do it and see it as a challenge and opportunity to show the world what my music is all about and continue making the music I love.
Finally, I had to ask how your father surprised you by dressing as a medieval lord at your prom.
It was absolutely funny. Mostly I’m not surprised by his antics, but this one caught me off guard.
The photo where I look angry just says, “Oh my god, you caught me. I had no idea you were going to do that.” I’m normally prepared but this caught me completely off guard