The Voice of a New Generation of Indie: A Conversation with Differentchris
Differentchris talks of his musical identity, growing confidence, the building of a strong fanbase foundation, and his new single, “won’t you wait”.
Differentchris (Christopher Robles) is a first generation indie singer and songwriter from Houston, Texas that showcases a promising shoegaze, indie pop, and r&b sound alongside his poetic and expressive songwriting. His musical journey began at an early developmental age with influences straining from rock and roll and Spanish Norteño music that classified his beginnings. The bright eyed and wondrous mind of a young kid sees the world in a different light as they illustrate the innocence and endless possibilities of life. Robles began experimenting with the art of songwriting and poetry at 11 years old, which will become the starting point of his passion for music and storytelling. Further on into his career and using a stage name for his music, he has risen into the spotlight and grown an exponential fanbase in Texas. His love for his vision and bonding with his fans in creating a loving and mutual relationship. In 2026, Chris auditioned for the chance to be part of the FIFA Fan Festival that showcases upcoming artists and was selected to be one of the performers for the show! If you’re a fan of artists such as DJO, Tame Impala, Clairo, or even Dayglow, you should give Differentchris a listen.
Chris’ debut into the music scene began with his first album, “Walls In Your Room” that was released in January of 2022 that featured 9 original new tracks. The songs included in this record consist of “Day 1”, “Heartbreak”, “Lost at Sea”, “Why Why Why”, “Walls In Your Room”, “Acceptance”, “A Wonderful Date”, “Bittersweet”, and “One More Time”. The album is an introduction into the rising potential of Chris’ musical abilities and presents his voice and identity to society with a passion to be reckoned with. His signature indie dream pop and r&b influences shine brightly across the EP and the carefree mindset of his music. A highlight of the record is the track, “Walls In Your Room” for its serene and dreamlike production with its light and airy guitars that directs the attention for Chris’ vocals as the main attraction. It is a song that serves as a focal point of the record as it relinquishes the impact of the lyric material and the essential indie sonic production of his sound.
Shortly following the debut release as the year comes to a close, the sophomore album, “My Leo Mercury” was released in November of 2022 that consists of 9 new additional tracks continuing the momentum of the first album. The record features songs, “Lost In Space”, “You Can Feel Love”, “Closure”, “I Love Love”, “Let Me Be Your Pillow (interlude)”, “I Don’t Need You”, “At The Door”, “Date Night”, and “Brokeboy Finds Peace” . This EP serves as an extension of the growing momentum and artistic vision for Differentchris following his debut which displays his love for creating new works of art and his drive. The songwriting in this collection of tracks demonstrates a leo mercury aspect (pun intended) as his voice and lyricism is a strong attribute for writing in an authentic, passionate, and dramatics that has the ability to capture the ears of a listener. A highlight of the album is the track “You Can Feel Love” which displays his clever lyricism and talent for his poetic writing with an impeccable rhyme scheme and bluesy mellowing guitars and vocal distortions that makes his voice come alive. The track emphasizes the master of demonstrating a vulnerable and authentic side that focuses solely on his message.
After a 3 year break of crafting and developing his own sound DifferentChris returned back with a marvelous EP, “I wish i could sing”, released in 2025 featuring six new tracks, “Scott Pilgrim”, “Jasper”, “I Do Need You”, “Can’t Sit You Down”, “I Don’t Know”, and “Can’t Catch A Break”. The record exemplifies the growth and confidence of his sound and the perfecting pop structured songs with catchy hook lines and choruses. A highlight track of the EP is the song, “I Do Need You” because of its intrinsic bluesy and r&b influences that is paired with glimmering synths that produces a dreamscape of a soulful rhythm that moves you. The production of the song is inherently a masterpiece of itself as it contains a variety of sonic instrumentations and guitar solos that causes your heart to burst and a stomach full of butterflies. The EP, “I wish i could sing” is the accelerated driving force of his musical direction that pushes his unique sound and profound words that will continue to advance further into his career.
The newest single, “wont you wait” released in May of 2026 is a track that transcends a moment in time in its entirety and is a true presentation of what the evolution of the indie scene has progressed to after its numerous years. Its stand out momentum comes because it is reflective of the early popularity of early 2017 to late 2020’s indie bedroom pop that amassed a rise within the Gen Z collective that was deeply rooted in the culture of individualism and the nostalgic aesthetics of the 80s. It's bright and utterly distinguishable as electric pop synths and new wave elements mirrored the times of the youth who were expressing themselves to the fullest. The track, “wont you wait” is an indie pop and rock infused song with traces of psychedelic traits with its buzzing and eclectic cadence of guitar riffs, punchy drums, and a bass with groovy influences. The addition of the adlibs of a group of “hey hey hey” chants in the background of the song amplifies the ambience of a community and an upbeat section that takes the track into another level. The song presents the scene of a blistering summer heat and wishful thinking of a lover, “Laying down by the sun, now I'm wishing that you lay with me” hoping that a summer romance could ignite the fire. Despite the solace lyricism of a longing of admiration, the song is an ultimate party and hangout anthem that elicits a harmonious and enthusiastic sense of emotions that uplifts and gives you a reason to play the song at the loudest volume. One of the most takeaways from the track is that listeners can visualize the energy of the room and the electricity that bounced off the walls from one creative idea to another. It transports you directly into the room and sees the vision unfold with the most blinding aura of excitement and its liveliness.
The pure sincerity of love and artistry is adamantly presented with Differentchris’ music and songwriting as it delves his deepest emotions and the love for creating a strong community surpasses expectations of what is truly like to be in the indie scene. It’s true to see the creative outlook and direction of Robles’ future and progressing musical career that will take him into a wild and successful journey. His true path and calling in life is to connect with listeners and reach individuals across the world to deliver inspiration, love, and compassion to audiences and discover who they truly are. Robles’ experience is much like any other first generation kid who aspires to become more than what society expects and responds with an enthusiastic heart, driving confidence and determination. As Differentchris uses his inspiration and love for music it will destine people to his craft who share a resemblance to his writing and be able to see themselves in an artist that cares so deeply about bringing together a collective of gracious individuals. It’s no surprise as Chris’ motto is to “love, love” resulting in a string theory of his music bringing people together for the same purpose to generate something bigger.
We had the chance to be able to interview Differentchris for With The Band Magazine. Thank you so much for taking the time out to collaborate with us. You can read the full exclusive interview below!
WTBM: First of all, we want to give you a massive congratulations for being chosen as a performer for the FIFA Fan Festival 2026! That is such an incredible accomplishment! What was your reaction to hearing about the news and how the audition process went?
Chris: “Thank you so so so much! Honestly it’s so surreal, my heart was so happy for like 10 year old Chris. From playing FIFA on my Playstation my whole life to playing FOR FIFA, it's just insane to me. When I first walked in to the House Of Blues to audition, obviously like no one in their mind is going in it with the idea of getting the actual spot? But before I even got on stage, the person in charge of all the PR was taking me around and letting me do interviews with news channels and press and all that fun stuff! I was thinking like " damn I just might actually get this, they're treating me like a celebrity ". So boom I'm going on stage to perform in front of a panel of like 4 judges who aren't obviously a bit older, and my heart was THUMPING. I didn't expect to get the response I got, they actually loved it? They stood up and clapped, and the whole room was so so lit up! It didn't feel real if that makes sense, from writing these same songs in my room whenever I wasn't feeling the best about myself, to performing them on a global stage when all I wanted to do was vent and allow people to relate. So its bittersweet.”
WTBM: "Won't You Wait" is your newest single that was released last week at the end of May. What was the creative process for this song and how did it come together? It must have been such a thrill recording it in the studio since the track is very guitar driven with a lively presence.
Chris: “I actually wrote this song back in 2023? I think it was. I made the melody and catchy hook whenever I was under the influence and was really just in that headspace of "why dont you wanna just be with me bruh". But I work with really talented producers in the HIVE STUDIOS that brought my vision to life! it's a bunch of experimenting and putting aside ego and pride of how you want this to sound and allowing everyone's creative input to make the best track. The live instrumentation of all of it was probably the best part honestly. Seeing the drums be tracked live and guitar and bass in your face just RIGHT THERE! it's insane, I honestly feel like my vocals aren't even the song? If that makes sense? The production is the best part and it carries the whole track!!”
WTBM: At the early start of your career you released two LP albums, "Walls In Your Room" and "My Leo Mercury" within the same year in 2022. A few years later you released your EP, "I Wish I Could Sing" in 2025. What is something you've learned throughout the years by discovering your sound and what you naturally gravitate to?
Chris: “2022 was the year I was really discovering who I was as a person and as a artist. It took so long for me to drop anything else cause I felt like the stuff I was making wasn't who I was or who I wanted to be. I'm so appreciative for WIYR and MLM cause those songs got me through some really tough spots in my little life. Time was just going and I was trying to figure out the sound I wanted to go to and I realized I just really wanted to sing! I'm not the best singer AT ALL but just something about being so vulnerable with that is what made me make IWICS. So in those years I started to play a lot more variety of artist and song writers which allowed me to be more appreciative to the idea of song writing. I don't think I could ever stay in a single genre? I know it sounds corny... But I really just love the idea of making songs people can relate to. I try to gravitate towards a style or genre but the next day, I'm making something completely different.”
WTBM: How does being a first generation musician pursuing an artistic career in the music industry change your perspective on choosing a pathway that is genuinely considered "not an ideal"? (This is also coming also from a first-gen who is pursuing a creative route)
Chris: “I'm just extremely grateful for how supportive my parents are! They have every right to sit there and tell me "No Chris, go to school" but they never did that, they are so big on " You do what makes you happy ". There's no other feeling or thrill of having to figure things out as you go and seeing that handwork pays off! I wish I took the college route sometimes, but I know I'm not a school person at all and all I wanted to do was write and write. There is so much pride in being a first-gen creative, its just makes me want things so much more and the idea of taking care of my family is so important to me. I'm doing this for my parents way more than myself if that makes sense?”
WTBM: What are your major influences when it comes to your songwriting and the way you approach the beginning of writing a song? Do they all start with an initiated spark of a random thought or is it something that gradually builds up tension and becomes an outlet?
Chris: “I would say its more tension, every song I write is based of real experiences I put myself in. Are they the best? no but I think that's the best part! I just write and write as if I'm journaling then all of a sudden when the song is done, I go through and realize what it's about. So I never really go into a song writing session with really an idea, more of a feeling of what I want to vent about. It leads to more natural and more genuine ideas that allow people to see inside my brain 100%! I'm a complete open book, my whole life is in my songs.”
WTBM: What has been the biggest change you've seen within yourself from being an introverted individual to performing on stage with a newfound confidence? Is it still nerve wracking to play shows and how has this shift change the way you perceive yourself now?
Chris: “I think I'm always gonna be super introverted, I don't see that changing a single bit. Yet on stage I know I still stand still a ton, I definitely feel that confidence I never have in everyday life. It's still so terrifying to get up there and pretend like I'm not absolutely dying. I'm still working on seeing myself in a good light, I've never been happy with myself appearance wise nor performance wise. So it's almost like a time thing, I'm hoping in time I can feel that love and feel that coolness that people see in me at shows, in myself! But who knows, maybe in time!”
WTBM: The most important aspect of pursuing a creative career is the impact that it has on others and its ability to create long lasting memories and a shared love of music. What do you want to be known for within your art and the message you hope that listeners can come across?
Chris: “I'm hoping people can come to show or meet me and see that I'm a regular person just like you and I'm basically a friend to you. My music for me is an outlet so I would want it to be as relatable it can be to the average listener. I just want everyone who listens to me to understand it's okay to not be okay. It's completely normal to be vulnerable all the time ever and ever. If someone who is so introverted can get on stage and perform, literally so can you in everyday life say hi to someone new! Just be yourself.”
WTBM: You have a very strong growing fanbase and it's enlightening to see how interactive you are on social media. What's your approach on this artist to fan relationship and keeping it a close knit community? Has there been any stories fans have told you that stuck with you?
Chris: “I just try to be as human as possible, I'm not a big famous person nor will I ever act like that. I think keeping that boundary of like " Hey I'm just like you" is extremely important, it shows people you're literally figuring it out as much as they are! There's no ego when it comes to fans or supporters, it's a beautiful feeling that people are that kind enough to interact online to me and I'm able to show how appreciative I am in every single way! I've had fans fall in love at a show and now they're getting married! When they told me that I was like "WTF NO WAY" but yes they literally did and that's so insane to me, I'm actually invited to their wedding and I'm so excited!!”
WTBM: The best part of being a musician is playing live shows and connecting with the local music scene in Houston and cities across Texas is very exciting. What was the most wildest or a highlight you've encountered playing a gig?
Chris: “I love the Houston scene so so so much seriously, but I would say San Antonio Paper Tiger, sold out crowd and they knew every single word and it just felt so so surreal like insane. But I love the fact that any show I do in Houston is met with familiar faces and people I haven't seen before and it makes my heart melt!! I love Houston, I don't think I would ever leave ever!”
WTBM: What's coming up next for DifferentChris? Are there any exciting projects to be released soon and what can fans expect?
Chris: “HMMM yes yes I have a project coming out in July and hopefully a tour in SEPTEMBER. so only a couple Houston shows left!!”