Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I come from a small industrial town in Northern England called Middlesbrough and after a stint in London I live in Newcastle upon Tyne. I’m from a musical family mum was in choirs and her great great grandfather was one of the first singers to be played on radio. Personally I started singing in bands by accident , I accompanied a friend to an audition and got the job instead. Then I wrote lyrics for other artists earning money through doing vocals in club bands and radio adverts then as a singer in various bands until covid hit and people persuaded me to try going solo.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I was signed to a management deal a while ago that got me some singing lessons.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: My strongest influences growing up were Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross and artists my parents listened to like Dion Warwick and the crooners like Frank Sinatra. I think my lyrics always have a story or theme and I try my best to bring some soul to the vocals and hopefully channel their funky edge.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Boy’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yes. Boy is aimed at people who just want to cause trouble and think of noone except themselves and their gratification. its based very loosely on the news where some local youths had killed an innocent man just because they were bored and totally uncaring . Like something was missing from their souls. Tragic, destructive and cruel people.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: At the moment I am focussing on single releases and writing new songs with a view to another album eventually but right now due to the cost of living crisis I am having to be careful. Ive got a home car and bills to pay sadly.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I think my sound is best described as The Freemasons having an 80’s love child with Gorgon City. Deep house bass with sweeping orchestral vibes and soaring vocals over funky epic synths and dance and trap beats. The upbeat dance vibe gets most audiences moving and the themes of survival and strength, hope and my political stance are pretty universal.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Definitely giving me so much back from an outlet for my frustrations and helping me make sense of things around me to the feeling I get performing live and seeing people dance and enjoy my music.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Often I get an idea and write the song around that. looking for sounds and loops and editing to get the vibe I want. Sometimes I experiment with different sounds and beats then the lyrics come afterwards
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: For me my music is dance pop meets house and the local area and it’s promoters are predominantly guitar and indie or rock focussed, there can be a clique in some areas too but music is subjective, so I understand tastes are different. It took a while to get taken seriously as a musician and artist but after plugging away and looking hard I found like minded people. Adding to this the loss of my dad, the care of my mum, a stressful day job and breakdown in the relationship with my brother and aunt and uncle it has been a very tough time. However it has shown me who I can trust and music has helped.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Success wise I would say the recent surge in interest after my album release has been fantastic and being proud to be part of “The Last of the Fallen Angels” music collective with our release of a critically acclaimed album in aid of Musicians Against Homelessness has been phenomenal working alongside some big names . I’ve even worked alongside an Ivor Novello and Brit winning producer . It has been amazing in so many ways.
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