Conversation With Chords Of Indigo

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’ve lived in Manchester, UK for over a decade now but I’m originally from and grew up in the North East of England; a town called Newton Aycliffe. Why music? I think like all musicians and artists I suppose it comes from a deep love of music and where it can take you from a very young age. That passion and curiosity eventually evolves into a desire to go beyond just the listening and appreciation into to doing it yourself – leaning into it all the way. Although I’d caveat that with the fact it took be a while to take the leap a bit more officially like I have over the last few weeks!

Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?

A: I am 100% self-taught across writing, playing and producing. Which I think has its creative benefits, as well as limitations.

Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Chords Of Indigo’?

A: I was lucky enough to have two parents (and a few other family members) who loved music themselves, which meant I had access to a whole array of vinyl records, cassettes and CD’s when I was a kid, and I lapped it all up. Whether it was whatever was ruling the UK charts on ‘Now That’s What I Call Music 1980-something’ through to ‘The Story of The Clash’ and ‘The Bends’ or Jamiroquai’s debut LP, and anything in-between – I’d find something I liked, and ultimately held onto in almost everything. Although I’d usually gravitate back to the full spectrum of guitar-driven music. Whether that’s folk or metal depends on the mood I’m in.

Years ago I dabbled in making electronic music, and one of my producer/DJ aliases was ‘The Indigo Ballroom’ which came with its own concept, and half a screenplay too. One of the places in the screenplay was a club called The Indigo Ballroom. I liked how it rolled off the tongue, so then I imagined that the house band in that imaginary place might be called ‘Chords Of Indigo’, and it never really left my brain.

Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Hits Right’. Is there a story behind it?

A: I wanted to write about some of my favourite memories, which often involve being in the sunshine, surrounded by loved ones, in a beer garden somewhere! That feeling where you’ve got a little buzz going on, and everything just feels good in the world, even if just in that moment. When I started writing the words, I got to thinking about those times, the people that floated up in the memories of them and what they’re up to now – times move on, you lose touch with folks or things just change. Which made those memories a little bittersweet. There’s also a few lyrics that kind of mean different things to me at different times, and I’d like to think people can project some of their own meanings into them too.

Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?

A: Before deciding to start releasing music, I’d been hunkered down writing and producing new music in almost all my spare time for the past 3+ years. So I have quite a lot of tracks, of which a number are release-ready, or very close to. I’m not quite convinced they’re a cohesive enough collection to make up an ‘album’ in this day and age, but for sure there’ll be a steady stream of releases starting with Hits Right.

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: Well, I fell back in love with playing guitar, and recording guitar by extension, over the last few years, so I’d hope that comes through as a key part of the sound – that’s where it all starts when I’m writing. My lyrics and vocals are rooted in human emotion; I find it quite tricky to write authentically about politics and other social themes without seeming contrived (and admire those that can!) so I’d also say that’s key too. Sometimes those lyrics can be transparent and at other times a little more obtuse, which is a trait I love about my favourite songwriters and lyricists – hopefully that means listeners can put themselves into these songs and make it their own.

I’ve found it quite difficult (a cliché, I know!) to pull out similar artists to my music, but maybe a good starting point is some of those bands or artists that draw on that alternative indie / heartland rock sound, with their own twists; Sam Fender, War On Drugs, The Killers, Bruce Springsteen etc. Hits Right in particular leans into a slightly more classic, vintage rock sound but I think it’s a wider spectrum I draw on – I’m more excited to hear what people tell me to be honest!

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: It’s a bit too soon to say after just a few weeks of starting what I hope will turn out to be a longer journey. I think if I can eventually start reaching people with my music, collaborating with other musicians and artists and maybe make a living from doing the creative bits and pieces I love to do, then that would be happiness and fulfilment for me. Ask me in a while!

Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?

A: I try not to be too structured, although I know that’s a luxury some people don’t get! I generally start by just playing my own songs on the acoustic guitar, maybe a cover or two, then I usually find myself playing around with new chords and riffs without thinking about it too much. I’ll embrace that and just try and go with it until I’m eventually onto something; a melody or verse or potential chorus. Then I’ll whack my phone out and start recording different takes and ad libs, and start writing lyrics that vibe with the song (at least in my head!) It’s just me and the guitar until I have a fuller sketch and structure. I’ll sleep on it for a day or two, listen back and decide if it’s good enough to take forward, tweak, record, produce etc. That’s generally how it works but definitely not exclusively! Sometimes the lyrics and themes come first, or just a feeling that I’m trying to turn into guitar chords. It can vary.

Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

A: I’m sure I’ll have many difficulties lying ahead in my music career, so let’s put a pin in that one! Life is just generally hard isn’t it, and I don’t think there’s anything uniquely hard about mine that wouldn’t resonate with millions of others as well; growing up in a working class town, parents separating, relationships breaking down and dying, people breaking down and dying, rejections, regrets, missed opportunities. The list is kind of endless isn’t it? I’m glad I can catharise all that in creative ways and into my music, which in turn might strike a chord with other people and their struggles (and successes) too – that’s always the main goal when putting yourself out there; hoping you and what you do is received with the intent and feeling it was given by other humans.

Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

A: End on a nice note, I like it! To be honest, finally working up the courage to start sharing the music I write and play has been a massive (and recent) point of pride and change of pace for me. Going from a dreamer into a do-er is a ridiculously hard transition to make for anyone, and I should know because dreaming is all I’ve been doing for most of my life. Taking a chance and a gamble on myself feels like a positive change of pace. And I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement and support of some of my nearest and dearest friends and family either, so that’s significant. But it is just the beginning, so, time to get to work!

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