PW: Welcome, Atlas! It’s great to see you live. Where are you right now?

ATLAS: I'm in Denver, Colorado.

PW: As you know, I follow you on Instagram. You have an amazing ability to connect with your audience. Atlas is a strong personality, and I love the way you attack a song. You look directly into the camera with that, this is me energy, and that's really powerful.

ATLAS: Thank you.

PW: When was Atlas born?

ATLAS: I was at EDC in Las Vegas in the middle of May 2022. It was there that I officially gained the confidence to wear my first hood in public and express myself in this way. I have always found it fascinating. When I first saw it (pups), I was like, What is this? I thought this was super cool! I wanted to see what this was all about. That’s when I decided to invest in my own customized hood. Up to that point, there was one particular pup that I was seeking guidance and encouragement from. It was something so new. I am originally from a very conservative part of the nation that is very anti-self-expression, especially online. So I messaged this pup on Instagram. We began talking about pup play. He and I actually met up and attended that event together.

PW: So this pup opened the door for you.

ATLAS: He encouraged me to try something completely new. Someone to seek advice from and ask questions of, who wasn't going to be offended or think I was coming at him with some motive. He really helped shape who I am today in the pup community.

PW: You’re very fortunate to have that kind of pup in your life. Where did the name Atlas come from?

ATLAS: I have always been fascinated by Greek mythology and the story of Atlas. When I look for some hidden meaning in that story, it comes down to strength, resilience, perseverance, and determination. A bunch of positive qualities spoke to me directly, because I was hesitant about joining the pup community and investing in a hood and things of that sort. And then the part of the country I grew up in…

PW: Understandable.

ATLAS: So those characteristics—strength, resilience, and determination—really inspired me. And also, Atlas is known for carrying the weight of the world, and the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. People I’m close to know that I’m always the first to jump in the fire. I’m the first to go to bat when it comes to representing people who mean something to me. That is the characteristic I most identify with. Not being afraid to carry the world on your back for the people you care about and love.

PW: Your fearlessness and dedication are evident in your videos, and that's what sets you apart as a performer. I'm curious, what initially inspired you to pursue this passion?

ATLAS: I’m currently 32 years old. When I was in high school, I picked up drums as my first instrument, and I still love playing them. But I realized that it’s difficult to impress someone that I like or am interested in by playing the drums. I mean, it's hard to play a romantic song like “Wonderwall” on the drum kit. With that kind of mindset, I thought I’d choose an instrument that I can further instruct myself in that’s both a little more portable and that I can sing and play at the same time. I mean, you can do that with drums, but it’s not as easy to do when you’re trying to impress a guy.

PW: You can't roll over to your partner in bed and just drum a hot solo in his ear.

ATLAS: I decided to learn how to play the guitar as my next instrument. After becoming comfortable with the strumming and musicianship, I tried incorporating singing. I found that singing and playing complemented each other perfectly. It was like a chain reaction, hand-in-hand. Everything fell into place.

PW: So what are some of your musical inspirations? You mentioned “Wonderwall.”

ATLAS: I mentioned “Wonderwall” because it’s often associated with the typical guy with a guitar at a party, introducing himself as 'Hi, my name is Atlas, and this is “Wonderwall.”’ On the other hand, I've always been fascinated by Coldplay. Although they are a well-known band, I feel that their vocalist, Chris Martin, can touch the hearts of listeners with his lyrics, whether they are into pop or slow music. He has a unique way of reaching people's emotional side. He can translate complex emotions into simple phrases, which is very powerful. I was fortunate enough to see Coldplay live twice, and both times. You just felt very emotional and connected with him. It feels like he knows you personally.

PW: That guy takes over a stadium with his voice and powerful connection.

ATLAS: He’s so carefree. Running across the stage and being very engaged with the audience. He’s not an Adele, Kelly Clarkson, or Ryan Tedder from One Republic. He’s not some powerhouse singer and maybe doesn’t have the most talented vocal ability, but he brings the lyrics and the performance. He can communicate emotion and feelings both on the album and live.

PW: You’re still fairly early on in your career as Atlas. You are telling the world what you are all about. People tend to view your releases together as an album. A compilation. So, how do you choose where to go next musically? How do you choose what to record?

ATLAS: Good question. It’s really a mixture of things. Many times, I wonder if a song has the ability to bring back memories from my childhood. Does it resonate with the audience and their age group? For example, does a song from the 1980s remind people of a particular moment in time? Is it a modern song that resonates as well? There are some times when I just like the popularity or the lightness of a song. Then there are times when I just want to change it up, right? I will do a rock or country song, or a dance song with a cool lyric part.

PW: That keeps things fresh.

ATLAS: I chose Atlas the god because of his ability to embrace resilience, strength, and courage. I also try to do this with the music I choose. I usually choose a song with lyrics I really like. I have faith that somewhere out there, whether a pup or not, there is another person who can really relate to those lyrics. They may have never taken the time to listen to or read the words, but they know the tune. Maybe it is the cancer in me, but I find myself gravitating toward Coldplay and lyric-driven songs. Being able to relate to, and knowing someone who is going through a similar situation or something I have gone through myself, allows me to put more emotion into my performance.

PW: You have a talent for connecting with your viewers. You have very strong eyes and look right into the camera. Your style is uncomplicated. There is no overkill in terms of animation and special effects. It’s you, the music, and the microphone. What do you love most about performing?

ATLAS: Honestly, it’s about the audience connection. Whether it's a live performance or online. When singing live, the response from the audience is something that really drives me. When it’s a song that hasn’t been played on the radio in a while, hearing the audience sing the lyrics back to you or with you. I love stepping away from the microphone to simply listen to the audience sing. It’s something that gives you goosebumps. Again, it’s the connection. One thing that I find fascinating about music is its ability to change our entire mood. If you are having a bad or good day, or if you need a pick-me-up, grab a glass of wine, sit on the couch, and allow your mood to change.

PW: Switching gears. As a performer, I understand just how important it is for an audience to hear you. How do you navigate singing while wearing your pup hood?

ATLAS: I can clean it up a lot with the music program that I record into. But it really comes down to careful attention on my part. I have to make sure I’m enunciating every single syllable and vowel. Luckily, there are some plug-ins that can help me clean some of that up. I do find it challenging.

PW: Your fans out there will forgive you if you record on a separate track. In the end, it’s all you.

ATLAS: I have thought about that. If I ever did that, I promise that it would definitely be my own voice, and I’d sound just like I do when I sing live.

PW: What kind of attention have you been getting? What’s the Atlas buzz in the pup community?

ATLAS: It’s incredible. The amount of love, support, and positivity that this community brings. When I first joined, I didn’t know anything. My knowledge of the pup community is still growing. But the feedback has been so positive. People are genuinely moved by the songs I perform. It fuels my desire to keep making music and be more strategic about the songs I choose. The comments and messages that I’ve received have been amazing. I’m not terrible at responding, but I’ve fallen a bit behind. I feel bad, but I have a full-time job as well.

PW: So, burning question. Are you single? And, in your pup personal life, what role do you play? Handler? Alpha? Daddy?

ATLAS: I currently don't have a special “one.” I have great people who encourage and guide me, both online and offline. Me? I think I’d be considered a stray. It’s me and myself, having fun with whoever walks by.

PW: Your confidence shines through. That’s so important. What do you see in your future? Where does your journey take you down the road?

ATLAS: I would love to do more collaborations, honestly, whether it's original music that we write and perform together, or just singing for the pups. I want to spread the word and show that you can express yourself with your talents and abilities, even with the pup hood on. A lot of people have been asking whether I will release an album on streaming services like Apple Music or Spotify. I would love to. It’s just an issue with copyright and licensing. There is a lot of red tape to cut through, but I would love to release music so people can continue to hear me.

PW: Do you have any originals?

ATLAS: I do not have any originals that I’m confident with. There are a few songs that I’ve created. But we are our own worst critics, right?

PW: Hell yeah! Let me tell you something, Atlas. The pup community is waiting for its first mega-pup anthem. You got the chops, my friend. We’ll be waiting.