I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
No Sign of the Summer is coming out on 8th August – in the summer, I know. Timing has never been my strong point. A lot of these songs are old. Some were recorded in various bands, some never made it that far. But they always stayed with me and I always wanted to re-record or record some of them and give them the love they deserved.
A lot of the lyrics were written when I was very young, so I was never going to let anyone hear them in that state! So it was a really fun challenge to rewrite the lyrics but keep the tunes and melodies the same. I decided that I’d write the songs from the viewpoints of the same characters, but many years later. The results are lyrics that are at points reflective, despondent, desperate, wistful and wise. I hope!
Musically, every time I make an album, it’s a reaction to the previous one. Walkin’ to Hollywood (2023) was very layered and ornate, so No Sign of the Summer is the opposite – a raw, energetic, fizzy grunge rock record with loads of guitars. I’m really proud of it.
What was the recording process like?
I worked with Ryan Pinson at RML Studios in Wolverhampton. He’s produced all three of my solo albums and anyone who has worked with Ryan will tell you he’s an awesome, intuitive and attentive producer. He also drummed on the album and steam was coming from his sticks! It’s a bit of a different atmosphere when it’s just you and the producer, but we worked hard, got stuck in and by now he knows what I like and how I work well. Plus, we had Arthur Coslett there on work experience and it was fun to get someone new’s perspective on everything. I also tried to educate him about why M&S Food Hall is such a magical, wonderful place.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
I think it’s one of the few professions where you can get better as you get older. I think I’m improving with each album. I’m thinking more about pushing myself creatively. I’m really all about trying to leave a body of work.
What was your best experience on stage?
It was Halloween. I’d drunk two bottles of wine, was dressed as Super Hans and crowd surfed on a sold out audience. I lost my toy snake but it was worth it.
What was your worst experience on stage?
I booked us a gig supporting a band called They Came With Weapons, without realising they were a death metal band whose signature dish was a song called ‘She’s a Whore’. We went onstage dressed in Topman clobber, playing indie pop and the leather-clad audience looked like they’d chin me for the hole in my Polo. I still don’t know how we made it out alive.
What’s the live music scene like in Wolverhampton right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
There’s some good venues, such as Dive – where me and the guys are headlining on September 13th. I always hate recommending acts cos inevitably you leave people out, but I’ll definitely highlight two. Gav, who plays bass and does amazing harmonies for me, also performs in a really great band called Dinky. I also have some friends who play in a cracking pop punk outfit called Run! Don’t Walk, who are playing with me in September and are very good.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
Easier!
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I’m not sure but I’m happy with where I am. You always want more, but I’m thankful to still be making music and I hope and feel I have carved out a bit of a niche for myself. A lot of people I started out with aren’t making or playing music now. I’m still here.
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