Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I grew up just outside London UK in the 1980s. My parents were very musical and I learned the piano from a young age. I shared a bedroom with my older brother who listed to the BBC John Peel radio show, which was the first outlet for much of the post-punk, new wave and independent music label artists. It was there that I discovered bands like Joy Division, The Smiths and The Cocteau Twins, and fell in love with alternative pop.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Tears In X-Ray Eyes”?
A: Tears In X-Ray Eyes was first “happening” in 2001, and had a cult following through coverage in the NME and leading London indie radio station Xfm. It was quite an intense experience doing *everything* on my own, and I was probably over-thinking it. Coming back in 2025 has been a journey of discovery, but an enlightening one, as I’m freed from thinking about press/radio and instead am completely focused on making the sounds in my head a reality, and sharing them with the world.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I feel like my inspiration comes from a musical neural network trained from decades of beautifully diverse songs and sounds. Then some random accident of the day comes along and prompts that network, and out falls a melody line and lyric. This week I’ve been inspired by Royal Blood, My Bloody Valentine and Alison Moyet.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Julia”?
A: It’s really a love song to the city of Cambridge, where I lived and made music for several years, through the lens of several real and imaginary relationships. I rarely get to go back now, but whenever I do it’s an emotional experience.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Wonderful.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Julia”?
A: Writing – no… it fell out on holiday in the south of France. Recording – yes… my home studio is great but, being at home, somewhat open to distraction – I had to break off one vocal take in order to fix a fridge door.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: Message? There is light in the darkness, there is beauty in the stained glass, and we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Goals? To record music a fraction as epic as the sounds in my head.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: David Bowie
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Do only what you love. Anything else is a road to nowhere.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Do only what you love. Anything else is a road to nowhere.
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