Hi! You recently released ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Get’ and it’s brilliant. For anyone who’s yet to hear it, how would you describe the track?
Hi! Thank you – I’m glad you like it! If you haven’t heard it yet, I’d say brace yourself for a big punch in the heart haha! It’s maybe even more like a combo move – heart first, then head. It’s pretty punchy!
Where did you record it?
It was recorded at Post Electric Studios, Edinburgh with an old friend – Rod Jones, best known for his work in Idlewild and currently doing great things with Hamish Hawk, Katie Gregson-MacLeod and Redolent. After doing a lot of recording at home during lockdown, it was important to me to get out and seek a second opinion haha. ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Get’ was actually one of the first songs we tackled there and I think you can hear the enthusiasm/relief in it!
Are you planning to make it part of a larger release, such as an EP or album?
‘Don’t Ask Don’t Get’ is the first single to be taken from a new full length album, ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’. The record is something of a concept album… beginning with the end of the world and essentially slowly down the process of your life flashing before your eyes, before it hits. I am also working on turning the album’s story into a one man play of the same name and featuring songs from the LP, which will debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, this summer.
I’m very interested in how you started your adventure with music, and did you know from the beginning that this is what you wanted to do?
I fell in love with music at a very early age. It always captured my imagination, as far back as I can remember. A few things happened at school that pushed me towards it – namely being told that I wouldn’t be allowed to study it in later years – instead having to choose maths/science etc. It’s like saying “Don’t push the big, red ‘DO NOT TOUCH’ button…” – it became all I wanted to do… So I put gigs on, both in and outside of school and then left for university. Not to study… but to push the big, red ‘DO NOT TOUCH’ button!
Your music interweaves so many different styles and sounds. If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Well, every man and his dog is working with Jack Antonoff these days… but I would definitely veer more towards the classic… I would love to work with Dan Layus of Augustana. I think at the heart of it, we both tell stories through our songs and honestly, he’s one of the best. I’ve been very fortunate to pick up a couple of tours with him over here (UK) and catch him in the states several times. I think we could tell a great story together.
What’s been your favorite musical experience to date?
See above haha! In all seriousness, probably playing a sold out show in my hometown with Dan. That one meant a great deal to me. I think the best is maybe yet to come though, with the release of ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’. Ask me in a year’s time.
Where are you based? Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
I’m based in Edinburgh, Scotland, which probably goes some way to explaining the darkness and pain in my lyrics haha! It has a pretty gruesome history to it and don’t even get me started on the weather… I’m going to try and write the next record somewhere sunnier haha
If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
Ohh good question. I might have to pick a few options…
The Venue, in Edinburgh was the scene of some fantastic shows, back in the day. If I could have it back, I’d say there in a heartbeat.
Real talk though – The Ryman, in Nashville. The Showbox, in Seattle. The Greek Theatre, in Los Angeles. They all just jumped out, off the top of my head. I could lose a day on this question.
I will say though, La Belle Angele in Edinburgh is fantastic… and just so happens to be where I’m doing the ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’ show, so..
And what was the first album you remember owning?
Cassette Tape: Bruce Springsteen – ‘Born In The USA’
CD: Nirvana – ‘Nevermind’
Vinyl: I had an old 45 single of Orville The Duck – ‘I Wish I Could Fly’, which I left out in the sun and it melted.
Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs, and what have you got planned for 2023?
First and foremost, the main focus is releasing ‘Endless Sunset Oblivion’ and going straight into the Fringe show, through August.
There are full, proper album launch shows booked in for the end of August but I have to be all cryptic and secretive about those for now…!
