You’ve been writing lyrics since you were 11. How long had you been playing music before that? What did that start look like for you?
Yeah I’ve been writing songs for a while now. Music is something that I’ve always been hugely interested in – I can’t remember a time being without it. My mam and dad got me guitar lessons when I was 6 years old so I guess after that it was a natural progression to start writing songs.What was the first track you ever produced? What’s the story behind it?
Oh god, it’s hard to remember it exactly but I do know the first song I ever wrote was about flying. That was many many years ago – I was only a kid. It was a full song though and I think it was about believing in yourself, I think!What did success look like for you in the beginning? At what point did you begin to consider yourself “making it?”
Yeah I think at the start gigging as much as possible is a good thing to do as its important to learn and experience the different aspects of the live environment whether it be the venues, the sound, the equipment, the audiences… I think progress happened for me within music when I started to get a bit more confident in what I was doing. Having the confidence to fail and having the confidence to succeed has definitely made a big difference for me. There were times in the past when I was afraid to share songs because it made me feel very vulnerable and now that vulnerability is an ally in my creative world. After that small change, better songs, and better gigs have somehow come about.Everything inspires me – love, life, loss, family, friends, people I meet, conversations – everything.
What do you use to inspire your writing/lyrics?
I find a lot of my songs are from sub conscious thoughts – I never really understand what they’re truly about until I finish them. Apart from that, everything inspires me – love, life, loss, family, friends, people I meet, conversations – everything.Could you describe your creative process a bit more?
My songs usually start with me playing some chords on my guitar. Sometimes it may start on bass or keys. Then when I hear a melody, the lyrics come. Once I get the structure sorted, and I feel the song is good enough, I demo it and add all the bass, drums, keys, and whatever other instruments and sounds I want for the song. These days I usually do that on Garage band. Then if I like it enough I bring it into the studio and get it down professionally.What hobbies do you turn to outside of music, and do you use these hobbies as musical influence or to get away from music?
Hobbies outside music? That’s a tough one. I like running and rowing but that still involves music because I would have my earphones blaring. Saying that, I’ve finished some of my songs while I’ve been out running so I guess running has influenced me musically. I love going to local gigs too, so seeing new bands would have and will no doubt in the future influence me in my music.Going forward
You just released your new EP, Lighthouse. Can we expect a full album to follow?
At some point, yes. I would hope there are many albums to follow! Realistically, for the time being, I’ll be releasing more singles and perhaps another EP or two before any album.Do you currently have something new in the works? New Project?
I’ve just demoed some new material and I hope to be back in the studio very soon.What is your vision going forward? Tour more, grow your audience, record a lot?
I’m writing a lot at the moment. So recording more material is definitely in my immediate future. I also want to get my music into as many ears as possible so there’s talk of doing some gigs across the waters – we shall have to wait and see!What are your biggest challenges in reaching your vision?
Juggling my paying job with my dream job.What advice would you have for other independent artists who are trying to make it in the industry?
Keep writing, keep learning and keep it fresh.
