Zeke Duhon may not be a musician you are familiar with just yet, but you should get to know this talented young adult hailing from Tulsa, Okla.

Duhon currently lives in Nashville, where he signed a publishing deal with Big Deal Music just a few months after settling down there and led to his self-titled EP that released in October.

Enstars chatted with Duhon all about his music and what's to come for him in 2016--2015 was really only just a warm-up.

Enstars: When and how did you get into music?
Zeke Duhon: I started writing songs after my father bought me my first guitar when I was 13. Then I started putting them up on the ol' Myspace and it all really grew from there.

Your recently released self-titled EP spans genres so how exactly would you describe your sound to a stranger?
I would describe it as if maybe Chris Martin went solo and had a baby with Paul Simon. (Laughs) But genre wise I usually just say indie rock/alternative.

You signed a major publishing deal with Big Deal Music and worked with Grammy Award-winning producer Charlie Peacock so what was that experience like?
That whole experience was very surreal for me. I signed with Big Deal like four months after moving to Nashville and then soon after that started working in the studio with Charlie. Big Deal has some artists on their roster that I have always admired and looked up to, so having my name listed along with theirs is still super weird and awesome for me. Charlie also has recorded albums I used to listen to as a kid, so working with him in the studio was nothing but inspirational.

Where does your inspiration come from for songwriting?
My inspiration comes from every part of life. I like to write about my observations and experiences with relationships and the people around me.

What's your songwriting process?
My process is probably not the typical songwriter's process; I tend to spend a lot of time on five or six songs at a time. I'll usually let them sit for a few weeks and let my ears take a break then come back and try to finish the complete thought.

Out of all six tracks on your EP what's your favorite lyric and why?
I'd have to say my favorite lyric is "What is hope without faith?" from the track "Faith and Hope" because it addresses the root of where most of the problems I sing about come from.

"Faith and Hope" is your first single off the EP; what made you decide to go with it over the other tracks?
We chose "Faith and Hope" because it felt the strongest musically, lyrically, and it had the strongest message.

The music video concept for it is very interesting--did you have a lot of say in its creation?
Yes, my roommates, who shot and edited it, and me, created the concept. I think it does a pretty spectacular job at highlighting the message of the song.

We know you've been touring around a bit recently. Which venue has been your favorite so far and why?
I'd have to say my favorite so far is this place in North Augusta, South Carolina called Downstairs Live. It's actually in the basement of a house owned by this really sweet couple that loves good music. They only do one show a month usually and every one of them always sells out cause it's such a cool experience.

What's one venue on your bucket list you're hoping you'll get the chance to perform in soon?
Hmmm, I would really love to play a House of Blues sometime!

Which song from your EP is your favorite to perform live?
My favorite one to perform is "Always Is Now" because it's such a delicate song and live it really creates an intimate moment with the audience.

Switching gears a little, if you had to select one song from your EP to have play each time you entered a room, which song would it be and why?
I would never have my own song play when I enter a room. (Laughs) I would probably have something like "Ignition (Remix)" by R. Kelly.

2016 is here, so what do you have planned for yourself musically in this new year?
2016 has a lot in store I believe. I'll be working on a new set of songs and music videos and touring as much as possible.

Who would you like to work with in the future and why?
I've always wanted to try and get a writing session with Ben Rector. He's from my hometown Tulsa, and I think we have similar writing styles as far as how much he values the storytelling aspect of a song.

To wrap things up, what do you hope people take away from listening to your EP?
I hope my EP gives people a small break from their busy lives and helps them not focus on the stress of that. I hope it tells them a good story and that is applicable to them and leaves them feeling refreshed.

For more on Zeke check out his website.

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