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Photo by Esther Kim

Making music finds can find its way into an artist's life from the most unlikely places. For Blake Proehl, that's trading the football helmet for a pen and a mic. His debut EP Hearts Don't Break serves as an introduction to the highs and lows of a new chapter, making its mark throughout 6 country, pop and R&B inspired tracks. We caught up with Blake to learn more about his path and how Hearts Don't Break took its shape: 

OnesToWatch: Who is Blake Proehl and what’s he up to currently?

Blake Proehl: I’m someone who’s always needed an outlet for my energy. For most of my life, that was football – I was constantly practicing, training, running around, always working toward the next thing. Now I’m channeling that same drive and focus into music. The setting has changed from the football field to the stage, but the mentality is honestly pretty similar. I love to work hard, have fun and put everything I have into what I’m doing. Right now, that’s releasing Hearts Don’t Break, playing as many shows as I can and continuing to connect with fans.

Is your heart truly unbreakable lol?

Haha – I think the whole point of the EP is that unfortunately, hearts do break sometimes – but it’s all about how you come back from it. That’s really how this whole chapter started for me. There have been a lot of changes in my life over the last few years, and ultimately I made the choice to follow music and see where it could take me. Hearts Don’t Break is about everything that comes with those moments – getting knocked down, figuring out who you are and coming out the other side stronger.

What’s Hearts Don’t Break about?

There are a lot of different sides of me on this EP. Some of it is fun and high-energy, and then there are songs that get more vulnerable and tap into relationships, nostalgia, heartbreak and the ones that almost worked out.

I wanted my first EP to feel like a real introduction to who I am – not just one sound or one emotion. There’s definitely some heartbreak in there, but there’s also a lot of energy, confidence and looking forward. Hopefully people can hear both sides of me: the guy who loves getting onstage and having a good time, and the more thoughtful side that isn’t afraid to put some real emotion into the music.

Any collaborators? Who produced the EP?

There aren’t any artist collaborations on this one. I really wanted this first project to establish who I am and introduce my sound. But collaborations are definitely something I’m excited about for the next project – there are so many artists I’d love to work with.

Todd Tran produced the EP and was a huge part of helping me bring the sound of Hearts Don’t Break to life.

Describe your music as a color / activity / place.

This EP is definitely blue to me – Carolina skies, the ocean, the coast, that feeling of being outside by the water with nowhere you need to be. I’m from the Carolinas, so I really wanted the EP to channel that feeling and feel connected to my roots. The beach and the coast have always felt like home to me, and that ended up inspiring a lot of the aesthetic around the project too – relaxed, warm, a little nostalgic and just very Carolina.

There are songs that really bring me back to that place. “Way Back” has that nostalgic feeling of thinking about home and all those little memories you grew up with, and that same world was part of the inspiration behind “Wild Magnolia.” I wanted the whole project to have that sense of freedom you get being near the water – windows down, music up, hanging with your friends and not taking life too seriously.

Besides this excellent album, what else should we be on the lookout for?

A lot more live music. I just wrapped an incredible summer playing alongside Jordan Davis and Russell Dickerson, and this fall I’ll be out with Niko Moon and Jake Owen. I’m already so excited about what we’re building toward in 2027.

The live show is actually what made me fall in love with music while I was still playing for the Vikings. There’s something about being onstage and making that connection with people in real time that you can’t recreate anywhere else. It’s still my favorite part of all of this, so I want to be out there playing as much as possible.

Take us on a date: where do we go? What do we do?

Roller coasters. Always. I’m obsessed with them and that adrenaline rush, so we’re definitely going to an amusement park. We’re riding everything – no skipping the scary ones. If you’re afraid of heights, this might be a rough first date.

What’s inspiring you right now outside of music?

Football, 100%. I love getting to watch and cheer on my friends who are still playing in the league. Football will always be such a big part of my life, even though I ultimately chose music.

I also think so much of the work ethic I have now comes from being an athlete. You learn really quickly that nothing happens without putting in the work every single day, whether anyone is watching or not. I’ve brought that same drive and competitiveness into music – whether it’s writing, rehearsing, working on the live show or getting better as a performer. I’m always thinking about how I can improve and what the next goal is. That mentality is just part of who I am.

Food group / activity best suited to enjoying your work?

Definitely a dance party. I love to dance and have fun onstage, and when I went into making this EP, I wanted to make the kind of music I love to listen to — fun, upbeat bangers that make you want to move. Get your friends together, turn it up loud and have a good time.

Musically, who is new but making all the right moves? Who are your current OnesToWatch?

I have to shout out my boy Jamie Miller. He’s one of my close friends, and it’s been amazing watching him crush it. He works incredibly hard, he’s insanely talented, and he deserves all the success that’s coming his way. He’s been one of my ones to watch for a long time, so I’m sticking with him.

Listen to Hearts Don't Break below: