Hiya Michael,
1ke from Dirty Costello, thanks for joining. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music was the thing for you?
When I was young, I always loved music—it really resonated with me. I always felt that music was an escape from the day-to-day life of school, college, university, etc., a way to take time to figure out what you wanted (or didn’t want) to do.
I loved how music could set the mood, how it made people feel better if they were angry or stressed. I loved how it could make you dance away the blues on a Saturday night or how you could be alone but never feel lonely when you had music playing. It brought back memories of good times in life. I knew I wanted to be part of that—so the decision was made.
Introduce us to your musical history.
I always wrote poetry and had a way with words. I realized this when I was having banter with friends at college and my part-time job—we’d joke around, throw playful insults, and I felt like a bit of a wordsmith.
Fame was never something I chased because I saw it as pointless if you didn’t have real talent. I wasn’t sure I’d pursue music at first because I had so much respect for the art form. I told myself that if I was going to do it, I needed to get it right—could I sing to a good standard? Could I write quality songs? Could I perform well? I had to step back and take time to develop my craft.
Then I heard Californication by RHCP, Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz, and Aha Shake Heartbreak & Because of the Times by Kings of Leon. Rock ‘n’ roll was in my soul—it was a done deal. Let’s go!
What’s the live music scene like in London right now?
It’s changed quite a bit, and venues closing down isn’t helping. Considering how much music and the arts contribute to the economy, you’d think the government would do more to protect them, but they don’t.
In my opinion, music venues should be listed as protected spaces and used as community centers during the day, where kids can come and learn music or take part in other community-driven activities. That would be a win-win.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
At the DIY level, plain and simple. You have to start somewhere, build, and elevate.
Tell us two truths and a lie about you.
- I have met Paul Weller.
- I have sung backing vocals for Paul Weller.
- I write my own songs.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or about cancel culture?
Sometimes, yeah. But then I think, “Two bees in a bucket” (you know the rest).
Cancel culture isn’t for me. How are people supposed to learn if they can’t express their views? Instead of canceling, educate. We’ve lost platforms like The Jerry Springer Show where people could let it out, and now we’re censoring ourselves when we shouldn’t have to. Let people be honest—challenge them, debate them. That’s what makes us human.
Of course, causing offense isn’t the way forward, but cancel culture only pushes us backward. Instead of shutting people down, apply common sense and education. If someone goes out of their way to upset people, their spirit is dying—they need uplifting, not canceling.
Do you believe in any conspiracy theories?
I believe that what’s done in the dark will always come to light.
What was your best experience on stage?
My first show. I had a terrible cold and almost pulled out, but I pushed through. At first, people were just nodding along. But by the third track, they were singing the chorus back to me—even though I wasn’t at my best vocally. That was an incredible feeling and told me I was doing something right.
What was your worst experience on stage?
I was playing a show and got heckled by the headlining band because I drew a crowd. Being heckled for the first time wasn’t great, but it thickened my skin—and honestly, it was a compliment. They were just jealous!
Tell us something about you that people would be surprised to learn.
I almost became a stockbroker.
What are the next steps for your band to reach the next level?
The next step is to record our next single, plus more singles and an album. We’ll keep playing shows, step by step, making sure each move is the right one.
I hear this is your first release. What can you tell us about it?
This song was inspired by the time when the world stood still—during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wrote it as a reflection of what we all experienced and what was happening around the world at that time.
It was a difficult period for humanity, so I wanted to write something uplifting. Even though the subject isn’t the happiest, I enjoyed writing this song because I managed to include everything I wanted to say without cutting anything out.
What was the recording process like?
This was the first track my guitarist/producer friend and I worked on together. I wrote the lyrics with the hook and melody, and from there, the magic happened.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new track?
Letting go and just letting it flow. I learned not to stress if I didn’t fit everything in. I relaxed, had fun, and discovered that I write well under pressure.
Would you change anything now that it’s finished?
No. Job done.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the world?
Dirty Costello is an alternative rock band that isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of rock ‘n’ roll. We go wherever the music takes us, with a fearless, intense, anthemic sound.
This song, and the ones to come, are written to lift people up—especially when they’re feeling low. I’m on a mission to write as many anthems as I can.
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