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 and raised in Barrow in Furness (south Cumbria) and I’ve always wanted to play music for as long as I can remember. I used to stay with my grandad instead of going to nursery and he’d let me play on his organ which may as well of been a spaceship as far as my little brain was concerned! I spent hours tinkering away, pressing buttons and pulling leavers to create mad sounds. Once in school I started by playing violin when I was 6 with the vague ambition to play violin in a Disney orchestra (I’d seen a making of Toy Story). After finding my dad’s Led Zeppelin records behind the couch I moved on to guitar aged 11 where I immediately started a band and I’ve never stopped since then!
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’ve been really enjoying the new Paramore album This is Why, I like that it’s a departure from the sound they were known for and they’re continuing to push the boundaries. Also been really enjoying The Smile for music nerdery reasons, the musicianship on that album is insane!
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Led Zeppelin were the first band to really blow my mind, Whole Lotta Love is the perfect guitar riff. David Bowie, The White Stripes, The Beatles, Prince, Nina Simone. These are the artists I discovered early in life and they have never left my side when creating music.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Saying Goodbye’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Saying Goodbye describes the moment you discover you’re strong enough to leave that toxic relationship, you’re strong enough to leave that rubbish job and the catharsis you feel when you put yourself first. It was written when I decided to break up my old band and leave a job i’d been comfortable in for 8 years. This is the lead single from my debut album – Reckless Abandon which will be released later this year.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: YES! My debut album Reckless Abandon will be out in mid 2023, I’m just finalising the date with my label Seahouse Records.
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: My sound should be able to accompany a western / Tarantino film my aim as a musician is to paint cinematic pictures in the listeners head to be the soundtrack to their film. I prioritise songwriting above all else but love a big riff, catchy hook and infectious beats.
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: I’m honestly just happy if anyone listens to my music and it’s authentically portraying the message I’m trying to convey. Music is it’s own reward, anything else is a bonus.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: Whether it’s a melody coming out of nowhere in the shower or sitting down to write a song based off one lyric my process for this album has been to get the lyrics and chords nailed down on a notepad, and make a sketchy demo before jumping into my studio. I have to prove to myself that the song would work at it’s smallest form before making it larger.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Musically the hardest thing I’ve experienced was signing a terrible record deal which fleeced us out of a bunch of money and did nothing for us except destroy a band we were so passionate about. Stay clear of Animal Farm Music and their con-artist skulduggery!
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Sounds cliché but getting my songs played on the BBC is huge to me. I grew up listening to John Peel and the fact that a small idea I’ve had has turned into something people want to play and listen to is the greatest feeling as an artist.
My next single Pay My Debt is due out on the 20th March.
