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 was born in Hull, lived in Cheshire for a few years and moved to Scotland when i was 8 years old. I started writing poems about nine years old and playing guitar when i was 10 – so i put the two things together and was writing songs from about 11. It was a natural progression, I
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Bowie, Alabama 3, the new Beatles and Stones albums and basically anything that catches my attention.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Probably Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Elvis Costello and Jimmy Hendrix. All those artists were huge innovators of their times. They are all story tellers and all unconventional and rebellious . I think it is that mix that drew me to their work. Oh…and they were all genius musicians in their own individual ways.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Anyway You Want It’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Life is difficult for most people right now, but at the same time there is an expectation of “I want this, and I want it now” Sometimes we decide to just go along with people and ideas, for an easy life, even though in our heart we are conflicted. I kind of used that idea, built on it, distorted it and made it the backdrop to the song. But the lesson in the song, if there is one is we need to try and figure out what is really important to us and the best way to pursue that. Sometimes that means accepting that we live in a complex, crazy, out of control world that few of us really want, but which we are forced to tolerate. In my view, it’s important to have your own personal strategy for navigating this.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: An album will be released in late February / March 2024
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: Great guitars, courtesy of the magician that is Jimmy Green, lovely use of chords and arrangement courtesy of musical genius Dru Baker, wonderful drumming and Bass playing from John Howells and Kevin Jefferies and some half decent vocals from me enhanced by the vocal talent of Fiona Lynch. It’s a rock sound, with a twist, I like to have a bit of humour in the lyrics, catchy choruses and quite a lot with a high tempo. And every song has a little bit of a message.
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: I don’t think I write with the expectation of any reward, it is just something I have always done and I probably always will do. The rewards are multi layered. It is tremendously rewarding to be able to play in the studio or live with some of the finest musicians in the UK. To have your creations come to life through that experience is one of life’s privileges. Every day I count my blessings really.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Begins with a hook, an idea, a line from a chorus, maybe a catchy phrase and whole bunch of pictures and sounds in the brain. For me it is about getting all that out of myself into a song in about two hours. Usually I have a full song written in about two hours. It can happen at any time of the day and quite often in the middle of the night. After that it is about developing that song working with other musicians to make it as special and interesting and majestic as we can. That is a very beautiful process because we all get along so well, so we create a very constructive and caring and supportive environment where ideas can truly flourish. We always record on a residential basis se we are living together effectively whilst we do that, and that social aspect is really lovely too.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: When I look at it I genuinely feel that it is a privilege to be able to spend so much time in my life making music. I have had a lot of other personal difficulties to deal with in life, just as we all do, and I see music and the musicians that I work with as a wonderful treasure that has made my life so much more fulfilling and meaningful. If anything it has helped me through some of life’s darkest times.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I am very proud of the body of work we have produced over the last four years and the album that we are releasing next year is a wonderful example of what the band can do. I’ve played some great gigs and venues, like the Marquee Club in London made some very unique video’s and recorded in some great studios, like Rockfield and even Abbey Road, and developed a lot of wonderful songs but I try and live in the moment, live in the present and I know we have lots of great days ahead as well.
