How Billie Eilish Exploded onto the Music Scene at 13 (FINNEAS’ Ocean Eyes Story)

FINNEAS shares how he and his then-13-year-old sister Billie Eilish recorded ‘Ocean Eyes’ in his bedroom, uploaded it to SoundCloud… and, well, the rest is history.
Check out FINNEAS’ new album, ‘For Cryin’ Out Loud’, here:finneas.lnk.to...
Watch FINNEAS’ full conversation with Guy Raz here: • FINNEAS on Making “Oce...

[@SamSmithVev0]

I admire his ability to seemingly answer his same question for the first time…. But for the 10,000 time

[@kendallevans4079]

Me too....And can you imagine all the even dumber questions he must get globally ? I'd go crazy!

[@Thelastusernameavailable]

Such a dope brother sister duo.

[@strix5309]

Yes - literally 🙄

[@k10sh1r0]

Incest 😂

[@dnnybeats]

I was friends with Finneas on FB through some music competitions in high school and remember when he shared that song. It was amazing hearing it for the first time and it’s awesome to see how far they have come ever since!

[@Flexuring]

that's so cool! do you still have any connections to him?

[@clarav.7937]

❤❤❤

[@ZeroChannelZero]

Finneas is a seriously talented producer, and I love how he doesn't try to upstage Billie's own talents by stamping his 'sound' on her. Like he says here, he puts her front center as the artist while he lays back and does his part in the shadows. The result is a symbiotic collaboration between artist & producer where creativity explodes (think Beatles, George Martin). I always learn something new in every Finneas interview, especially like this where you let him talk at length without interruptions so he can take us through the whole process. Thanks for this!

[@LoddyDah]

This is the most in depth answer I've ever heard him give as to how Ocean Eyes happened and it really is just one of those things. There is no such things as luck. Simply preparation meets opportunity. 💙😌🙌🙏

[@AlwaysStampinUp]

Finneas and Billie created a magical masterpiece of a song that totally slaps and Finneas says “yeah we really lucked out”. He’s such a humble, down to earth human. Finneas: your fans are the ones who really lucked out. We appreciate you giving up your anonymity and sharing your hard work and talent with the world.

[@gainesdominique]

Once you begin to create art you'll notice it's not "you" who creates it. It often feels like luck.

[@mose1095]

Let’s be honest, there’s always some amount of luck when it comes to becoming successful in life. Absolutely they are incredibly talented musicians and creators who work very hard, but the right person heard their song at the right time. I can’t remember the quote exactly, but in Mike Schur’s book “How to be Perfec” he talks about how Michael Jordan wouldn’t be a famous basketball player if he had been born in the 1800s or if he were born shorter. There’s always luck involved, and I really appreciate when celebrities or rich people are humble enough to recognize that.

[@matan.saster]

@@mose1095 Not only is luck “involved,” but it’s about 98% of success.

[@jaieatsplants]

I love that he just knew who HE was and was passionate to make it happen ❤❤

[@DarlaMack]

I wish I could hear Finneas’s version of the song

[@2peaceiseasy]

amazing. 'i was not trying to be front-facing with that." just amazing.

[@joeblow2069]

He's so humble.

[@ConcernedCitizen-we6hr]

Love this story. It's what all artists dream of. They're just so talented, it was meant to be.

[@carlgrimeseyepatch27]

Finneas and Billie together are MAGIC ❤

[@widjoh7]

I love the réponse of fineas. He so humble and pure heart to level up and manage Billie . 2 sucessful stars❤

[@lilyx-music]

yeah fr that’s a good big brother & feminist who doesn’t rag on his lil sis but uplifts & credits her. grateful he’s her bro, the wrong ppl coulda rly damaged her

[@electricwarrioress1]

He’s my neighbor but never met him- seems very cool - know he’s on a solo tour. Wish him much expanded success …

[@DogsAndDogsAndDogs]

Finneas also leaned heavy on FB ads for about a full year while Ocean Eyes was just out. I remember seeing them almost every day and watching her fan count snowball sooo fast. It was fun to watch.

[@Billiest-y8d]

FINNEAS IS BEST HE NEED MORE RECOGNATION!!!

[@siobhanmulvey]

Finneas🙌🏼💚 awesome job. The way this all played out is so perfect. It’s the stuff like this that makes me believe a beautiful world does and can exist.

[@TannerCarlson]

Such a cool story, amazing song

[@hebesavidis9098]

best duo out there.

[@bz849]

And that right there is a humble man

[@atsnasvoice]

Your voice 🤩, Finneas

[@Chris-c7i8d]

I find it amazing that having written the song and played the instruments he still considered himself the producer rather than the artists being Billie and Finneas, especially at 19

[@Blohshhhh]

Dang this video needs more views

[@RXbee2]

Love love love Finneas O'Connell

[@Eden639]

Congratulations that is a beautiful song. The lyrics are absolutely inspiring and beautiful. You are geniuses together.

[@hearmenow909]

It was meant to be, the universe responded.

[@CC-kl4nh]

Love these two. Very talented

[@jocelyncruz.]

yall did him so wrong in the thumbnail lmao

[@flowerforvase]

in both videos 💀 those AI apps are cruel sometimes

[@AmirMusicOfficial95]

gooning

[@ThePublicHealthHarlot]

You csn tell he’s cool ss s fan snd super down to earth. He didn’t hsve to be this candid but I love how refreshing he is

[@bettysushis]

I love them so much!!!

[@TheRed-HeadedStrangeGirl]

Love you Finneas🫶❤️🌻Thank you for asking your “seester” to sing Ocean Eyes and introducing us all to her🫶❤️🌻You guys are truly the best! Unstoppable, in my honest opinion 🫶❤️🌻

[@YasminGhauri]

Loved hearing the backstory but the way he KEPT saying "my stupid band-" like CMON BRO have some respect for your former bandmates damn they were there too 😂

[@ELJ691]

It’s off putting how narcissistic and insecure he sounds. Big fan of his music, but this was hard to watch.

[@May04bwu]

@@ELJ691 Really? I think it’s quite relatable for that period of time / age. Some bands used to be very famous around their 20s. Now the ex band mates are over 30 and don’t even mention the band or trash talk about it right away.

[@wilhelmina8843]

Nice interview

[@erikhausler6858]

Lovely to see!

[@jenniferrickard7228]

Finneas is totally wanting to just 'Wizard of Oz' music lol. Like be the dude behind the curtain and let the personification of Music be the big glowing face that everyone else thinks is omnipotent, powerful and magical. Yet ultimately, it's all bits and pieces put together and in the end.... it's just a matter of each person finding their own strengths through the journey.

[@adrsoup]

That video where he talks about the random sfx for Bad Guy ❤❤❤ so genius

[@illegalsubstance953]

Good analogy

[@LauraTVK2023]

Great interview, have really good Insights into their early days in their music carear. Especially Finneas making a reference to @Sylvanesso was great to me as I also like their stuff

[@waterrat6915]

Darling! Nice to see you on the LIVE the other night. It was a good time

[@user-iw8wl9wu8y]

why’d it take me the whole time to click this was a guy raz interview😭

[@joep3279]

I wanna hear this Finneas version of Ocean Eyes

[@sylyep7955]

Me too!

[@Jake-g6h8c]

Such a beautiful song! You r both so beautiful together! I listen to your music everyday I hope you make a FORTUNE! I lived in LA twice! It's very expensive 😫! Even some homes in Beverly hills are NOT nice but expensive! Great interview. I remember the first time I seen Billie on KZbin I told my best friend SHE is going to be HUGE OMFG. PLUS ... she is flawless. I owned a Hairsalon for many years I couldn't get over how beautiful Billie is! Your bro is pretty too!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@samchen5695]

The way Finneas impersonates Billie's replies is gold ...

[@oneplanetonespecies]

I love a success story

[@angeldariel2000]

i love finneas🫂

[@ThisIsJoeRice]

such a great story

[@laurenbendik2006]

Really amazing story….i didnt hear ocean eyes until way after she was famous already. Is the version played on the radio from when she was 13?? Idk anything about soundcloud but wow. Without social media and that, who knows what wouldve happened with them. Im always jealous when ppl become successful without college lol. My high school and parents were forceful about it. Billie and finneas were homeschooled so their parents are prob more out of the box thinkers.

[@voyance4elle]

man that's soooooo cool!

[@Jake-g6h8c]

Finneas is ALSO AMAZING! I LOVE u both! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Keep making great hits!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Mrvpk6]

Wouldn't mine working with Finneas!

[@Flexuring]

you did him so dirty in the thumbnail.

[@ColemanSterlingMusic]

asking finneas this question after hes answered this question in like every interview he's done is crazy( don't get me wrong its a great story but i feel like some of theses interviewers don't research a whole lot

[@dancikn]

Where's my brother-producer? 😭 I really need one 😅, we don't have to go THAT big 😂

[@thedigitalsnake]

so cool

[@roninthegoat2810]

I know I really shouldn't be writing this out and I know it's the wrong mindset but this is just so unfair. Someone being 13 and naturally such a good singer and having all time in the world to work on music uploading one song and going viral and to super stardom from there, literally no hard work being put in (in the beginning!) and just fiddeling around and got lucky. And then there is somebody like me (and many many others), having all those adult responsibilities and having just a few hours every week to spend on music and still going for it for nearly a decade now and everything i know to day and music skills I have coming through years of hard work, trial and error, just not being good and working a lot to be a quite proficient musician today and still my music is going nowhere. I'm really on the brink of giving up, I love making music and it fills my heart but honestly if I won't be able to live off it (for literally the sole reason to make music all day, I don't want no millions, I don't want no stardom, I JUST want to make music whenever whereever and for how long I want) in the next few months/years it's just too heartbreaking to go on... And don't get me wrong, I'm still happy for billie and finneas that they made it, but it really seems like such a lottery....especially regarding the age they and especially billie popped off, I'm putting in work nearly as long as Billie was even alive when they realeased ocean eyes, and still....nothing 😞

[@krusher74]

"watch the full episode here" with an arrow to nowhere?

[@Sku11Leader]

Goldhouse Remix is best version imho.

[@AbbieLincoln-y7c]

Of course they knew Silly question

[@tashamerced8467]

Never used sound cloud

[@projet2907]

❤

[@schil_d]

Dude wtf why can't you just make a good thumbnail

[@AmirMusicOfficial95]

Is his band called “my stupid band” or is he actually saying that lmao

[@TanguyBlanchard]

The Slightlys

[@KosmoRedRev]

Would had been better for them if not uploaded. Or is she happy now? You can sing and celebrate music without being a superstar, because that always have a prize

[@rogelrey1965]

Oh I thought she exploded, my English as a second language didn't help much.😂 Words can have dozens of meanings LoL.

[@Hexspa]

Inspo

[@tariqlatif1505]

Well, all i can say is what a price she paid for fame... Ellish not looking good What kind of pain is she holding down.. Her brother looks normal, natural well dressed, like he cares anout his appearance.. Its called self respect..

[@oilyvio]

comme c'est trop drôle mdrrr

[@adksodsdme]

Id

[@fakeyououtdotcom2409]

White dude for Harris. 😂😂

[@kelsilulu]

So you can admit that voting for Donald was race driven and it’s not “I don’t see color”, right?

[@irine839]

Law he should stop stealing marilia adamaki,she took action

[@jonathangonzalez5474]

Idk. I want to believe this, but I just can’t get past the fact that their parents were so well connected in the music industry their entire lives… It sounds like this story COULD be true tho. I’m not buying it tho

[@nahadoth2087]

What is there not to believe? You know people were there to experience all this as it happened right? You can look all of it up. This isn't some secret esoteric knowledge. And as for their connections? yea. How do you think he knew the producer/manager guy? Those people don't tend to give advice as a favor to random high school bands.

[@kelsilulu]

They were just working class actors. If you know anything about LA, this is not only a common job but it doesn’t pay very well. So I don’t think they had much going on before they uploaded the song

[@PauldeSilvaG]

A modern day Richard & Karen Carpenter story... Except the Carpenters were 10 times bigger and more successful with more timeless music.

[@chrisdick2305]

Karen Carpenter was an amazing artist, but Billie is one of the three biggest global pop icons right now. And only time will tell what is "timeless."

[@danaray5416]

Billie Eilish is GLOBAL!

[@kelsilulu]

Ummmm yea I don’t think so 😂