Peter Foldy Talks His New Single, His Voice And More

Singer-Songwriter from Los Angeles, USA, Peter Foldy has released his new single ‘Sunday Afternoon’. We sat down with him here: 

 

When did you begin singing/songwriting?

I’ve been interested in music since I was a child growing up in Budapest, Hungary, and even more so after my family immigrated to Sydney, Australia where at the age of 12 I somehow found the nerve to audition for a kid’s television program called “Opportunity Knocks.” It didn’t exactly knock for me but I made it onto the show they gave me a prize. Being on live TV was scary as hell, but also exhilarating and a bit of a confidence booster. I was further encouraged when I made friends in Sydney with three young brothers who would soon find world-wide fame as the Bee Gees. Being around them made me say to myself, “I wanna do that too.”

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

Going to see musical theater with my grandparents – and later listening to Top 40 radio in Australia, which was especially inspiring. Loved those early pop songs.

 

You have your new single ‘Sunday Afternoon’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

I needed a summer song for a scene in a film I just finished directing and I already had the beginnings of this song written so when I realized it could be a fit in the movie, I sat down and finished it. Another motivator was the passing of the late and great Brian Wilson. I’ve always been a huge Beach Boys fan and wanted this song to be something of an homage. Lastly, as I mentioned, I grew up in Sydney, Australia and spent a lot of time on the beach. I was hoping to capture those innocent times with “Sunday Afternoon” and I think I managed to do that

 

Was it a difficult song to write?

Some songs write themselves, and others you struggle with for months, or years. “Sunday Afternoon” was an easy one to write.

 

Do you have a visualiser to accompany the track?

 

There is a video on YouTube with just the artwork and I didn’t create a music video for this one as I sometimes do. It might be something to consider down the road. Music videos are always fun to shoot but sometimes it doesn’t pay to create one.

 

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

The track was created by this wonderful producer I work with called, John Zych who is out of New York. The vocal was recorded in Los Angeles at my friend, Peter Howard’s studio. Peter also helped out with some harmonies.

 

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

 

When Peter Howard first added that “Frankie Valli wail” at the end of the track, that made me laugh, and also knocked my socks off. It was a perfect way to finish the song.

 

Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

 

If I had to pick one of my own tracks that make me happy, I’d go with “Bondi Junction,” which was my first single. It hit #1 in Canada and also landed on the American music charts. When I hear that one it takes me back to an innocent time when I was just starting out in the music business and thought the sky was the limit. I wasn’t yet aware of all the roadblocks and obstacles, and the amount of intelligence one needs to succeed. Not to mention talent, and something unique. I missed the boat a few times by not being tuned it, if that makes sense.

None of my own songs make me angry or I wouldn’t have recorded them. There’s an old saying. No mother has an ugly child. My songs are my babies and I love them all. I suppose there are a few ugly ducklings in the bunch but I generally don’t let people hear those. Sometimes I go back and revisit them and see if I can improve them – sometimes I can.

 

Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025/2026?

I’m always writing new songs and have been thinking about recording a country EP. I have some co-writes with some famous songwriters and I thought why not try and put those songs out, so that is on the back burner. Thankfully I have a pretty busy career in the film business, writing and directing, so music has become more of a secondary career now. It used to be my full-time job for many years for which I am very grateful and never take for granted, especially in this day and age, when making a living with music is next to impossible, unless you are in the top 1%.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

I’d love to leave a musical footprint behind with some unique songs that my family and other people can listen to for years to come. That would be kind of cool.

 

How do you look after your voice?

I don’t smoke. I try and get decent sleep. Drink tea and honey if I need to before a recording session.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

I actually have a project I am working on based on a book for which I own the film and stage rights. It’s based on a true story about one of the first bands signed to the Beatles label, Apple, after they randomly ran into Paul McCartney in London’s High Park. It’s a sweet, coming of age film and I have some music I’ve written for it, though some of the band’s music will also be featured. I can’t really talk about it in too much detail, but that is my number one passion project at the moment. It’s not been easy to get it set up. Everyone likes it but the funding has been hard to find – and it’s not an expensive film. I’m not stopping till I get this one made. 15 – Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

 

I live in Los Angeles, a city which often gets maligned around the world but it is one of the few places I have lived where if you tell someone you’re a musician, or a filmmaker, they don’t reply with, “that’s nice. And what restaurant do you work at?” In today’s world it might be a valid question, but the point I’m making is that nobody knocks you in L.A. for having a dream and pursuing it. A lot of people are in the entertainment business here and there is a level of support for each other that I haven’t found anywhere else. Maybe London? Not sure.

 

Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?

I haven’t played live in many years but it would be fun. That said, no. I don’t have any gigs in the UK or Europe coming up.

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

The biggest influences have always been the oldies, such as The Beatles, the Stones and The Beach Boys, but I also love some current artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Teddy Swims and Benson Boone to name a very few. Any good music, whether it be jazz or rock is an influence. – Music has always been my life blood.

 

 

What makes Peter Foldy happy and what makes you unhappy?

Being in a warm summer climate by the ocean definitely makes me happy. Hanging out with friends and traveling is also on the list. Being able to create films and music is a blessing.

 

Unhappy? Waking up and reading about all the suffering in the world. I’m trying hard not to start the day with the morning news but it’s hard. You open your email and all the gruesome headlines are there, waiting for you. You’d think we would have learned by now.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Artist

Peter Foldy’s new single ‘Sunday Afternoon’ is out now. 

Details on this and more on Peter Foldy can be found on his website www.peterfoldy.com 

You can follow him on social media at www.facebook.com/PeterFoldy and www.instagram.com/peterfoldy