Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
It wasn’t really a decision I made, it was just something that I had always done. I started by putting my Mums poems into songs when I was about 12 and I just never stopped.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
There are too many to mention, but I think one of my earliest musical memories where something really struck me was seeing Sinead O’Connor’s music video come up on the TV for her version of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’. I remember just seeing the image of her front on to the camera singing the words and I was absolutely hypnotised. I must have been around 5 years old.
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
It certainly has its challenges… I think as long as I am finding what I need to on a personal level from the music I am creating, I’m doing just fine. Being involved in other areas of the industry has also helped keep my fire alive, running my own promotions company and music venue has allowed me to understand the industry from a different perspective. Are there problems? Absolutely, tons. I prefer to just get on with it.
I’m seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?
As someone who runs their own music venue, it’s something that I’m very conscious of, and want to be an active participant in creating an atmosphere where everyone is welcome. We all want to see live shows as a purely safe space. I think creating that environment needs to come from the community that uses them and having an open dialogue with your local venues, promoters, and bands is key to everyone being on the same page and tackling any issues of this kind head-on. I would hope things are heading in the right direction, but we can always do more.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
The first record I owned was by Robbie Williams
As a child, I was the leading goalscorer in the county with my football team
I was born in Germany
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
Some. I feel like this is a can of worms best kept close though. (For now…) Lots of things that were seen as conspiracy are now known as fact, Area 51 anyone…?
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
Not hugely, I did buy a guitar though which probably hasn’t seen quite as much use as I thought it would. Was very much a purchase that I wanted so that I could record a particular track – and having now recorded the track it’s not getting the love that it should. Its time will come though! Next pandemic, perhaps.
What was the worst experience on stage?
One that comes to mind was when I was playing a show at a venue called Worthing Pavilion, it’s about 800 capacity and I was the support act and everything was going fine. However, towards the end of my set I suddenly became incredibly lightheaded and dizzy and very nearly collapsed. I managed to hold it together and carry on and the next day someone posted a video of me online from the show – You could see the exact moment that I started tilting to one side and nearly fell over. Nobody seemed to notice, thankfully. (And I was fine – Dehydrated I assume!).
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
Most of the music I listen to is much heavier than the music I make. I’m a big fan of a whole array of genres, very much including folk and things of that nature, however your more likely to see me head banging to Deftones or Architects.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
The first single from my new album has just been released, titled Getting No Place Fast. It’s going to be followed up by two more singles between now and March 24th when my first full-length album will be released, titled Respair. I’m excited and nervous in equal measure.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.
During the lockdown, I was listening to a lot of artists like Death Cab and Grandaddy and found myself really enjoying some of the melodic synth sounds. This played a big part in how this track came together and took a bit of a detour away from a predominantly acoustic sound that I’ve stuck with in the past. That’s there in the album too, but there are definitely some surprises for those familiar with my music.
What was the recording process like?
The whole record was recorded at my home studio, then sent on to my trusted friend and producer Josh Trinnaman, who helped make it shine.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
That I should go with my gut and not question the sound of the tracks before completing them… Serve the song in its entirety and worry about how it will fit into everything else (or how it won’t) later on. Just commit to the song and finish that idea. It could surprise you.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Of course. That’s the nature of the beast. Well, I say I would change it but I wouldn’t – There are things that I could be happier with but I’m proud of how authentic the record is and I think those discrepancies are what it’s supposed to be. It was written during a very strange time in my life during a very strange time for the world. I’m sure that’s come across.
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