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: Hey! So I’m from Aberdeen in Scotland and I guess unsurprisingly I just really love music and songwriting. I’ve always been fascinated by the art of storytelling and wanted to make it the focal point of my life, so yeah music is the direction I always wanted to go in.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Childish Gambino, who is just an evergreen artist, a phenomenal artist, been listening to him a lot now the weather’s getting better. I’m also really into Roisin Murphy and Joesef right now as well.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Jackson Browne and Dylan were my favourites when I was younger. I really love lyrics. I always start with what is essentially a poem, when I’m writing a new song and that’s definitely due to growing up immersed in those lyrics driven songwriters. Also Prince and David Bowie were and still are major influences.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Jane’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yeah so Jane is essentially a love song about the one that got away. In this case an older woman who I was in and out of a situationship with back in the day. She put me back together after my first big heartache. It’s about a messy time in my life, but one that was definitely memorable.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Yes, so my EP Odes of Hope for Sad Bois is out June the 8th.
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 the key elements are those universal themes of love, heartache and longing. I want to tell stories that are relatable. I think all good songs have that escapist quality. You want to write something so vivid that its almost like a sonic postcard that people can immerse themselves in. I’d describe my sound as indie-pop or alternative pop, its definitely catchy but its also guitar and synth driven. It’s sort of moody and bruised and yeah I’m all about the words.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Haha! I think most independent artists would say its a labour of love. You definitely don’t get much back in terms of recognition or financial reward at the earlier stages. You do get a lot of love and motivation from those that see what you’re doing and understand what you’re trying to achieve, but really you have to believe in what you’re doing and keep moving forward.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I start with a theme or a subject matter. Something I want to say and then start drafting lyrics. It’s at that point I’ll begin strumming on acoustic guitar trying to get a basic chord structure and melody to add the words to. I then create a demo that I’ll take to the studio to work on. I’ll add synth, guitar patterns and structure the drums and get some decent vocal takes.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: I think its been finding the motivation to stay inspired and not forget why I started this whole journey in the first place. I think you have to always remember your reasons for starting out and that desire to connect to something bigger than yourself.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I think performing my first festival in front of a couple thousand back in 2019 was a big moment for me and one that I felt really galvanised by.
