For those people that haven’t heard of you could you tell us a bit about yourself, your story?
Sure, I’m an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Liverpool. I started playing guitar when I was 14 and my sole focus was to be a lead guitarist. I left school when I was 16 so I could dedicate my life to music and follow my passion for guitar. A few years later I joined my first serious band, ‘The Stamp’. We hit the ground running and had a real buzz around us in Liverpool, playing as many gigs as we could. This led to us being managed by Gary Murphy, who subsequently booked us a European tour supporting ‘The View’. We did 22 gigs in 28 days across Scandinavia and Europe, followed by a 17-day UK tour. We even met Liam Gallagher in Paris on our final European tour date, who used our track “Fugitive” for a Pretty Green advert. Despite the band having such a bright future, things didn’t work out between us so we parted ways.
Following the band’s separation, I decided I was going to try and be the best musician I can be, rather than just a guitarist, and started to craft a repertoire of original songs. Fast forward to the present and I have 5 self-released singles out on all major platforms and am in the process of releasing my latest single, “Purple Skies”.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
I have always loved music and some of my earliest memories are those of hearing certain artists or songs for the first time. When I first picked up a guitar at 14 I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do with my life and was driven to start a band and get some gigs. I taught myself how to play and didn’t have a teacher or mentor so it was very much self-motivation and desire to want to perform live.
What artists and albums have stuck with you and influenced your sound through the years?
Starting out as a lead guitarist I was heavily inspired by Jimi Hendrix, I would listen to him religiously and try and pick out every note and little nuance in his playing. I later came across Stevie Ray Vaughan and I would have to say his style of playing influenced me the most in terms of techniques and sound. Since becoming a solo artist, writing and composing full songs, Paul Simon has been a big influence as his music along with Simon and Garfunkel has pretty much been the soundtrack to my life and I’ve always been a massive fan of his music and him as an artist. I’m always trying to challenge myself and learn new techniques and styles across different genres. I’m listening to a lot of bluegrass at the moment and practicing flat-picking and cross-picking, a style of playing I hadn’t previously focused on.
I could speak all day about artists and albums I grew up listening to so I’ll just name a few more that stand out to me; The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, Chuck Berry.
I don’t think there’s an album in particular that has influenced my sound, but I think I would have to say my favourite album is probably “Survival”, by Bob Marley & The Wailers. I think It’s an all-round masterpiece, from the lyrics and vocals to the musicianship and overall production.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the Syncr Music Winning track “That’s Where I’ll Be”?
Sure, I wrote the rhythm guitar, chorus, and first two verses whilst in Scotland, taking inspiration from the beautiful scenery. It was very basic at that point and unfinished. It was originally in a different key to how I play it now and how it has been recorded. It just evolved naturally and I didn’t have to force anything with it. I like to think of it as a celebratory ode to the natural world and to serve as a reminder that there is so much beauty out there away from the struggles of everyday life.
The track was recorded in Whitewood Studios, Liverpool. I used session musicians for the drums and the instrumentation of brass, piano, and flute. Like on all of my tracks, I played the rhythm, bass, and lead guitar parts and of course lead vocals and backing vocals.
Do you have any plans for any other single releases or an EP?
Yes, as I mentioned earlier I am working on the release of my new track, “Purple Skies”, which will be released on all major platforms in January 2024. I believe it’s my best work to date. It certainly has been my most challenging song musically in terms of arrangements and composition. I think I would have to say it’s the track I am most proud of for that reason and I am really excited for its release.
What is your proudest moment as a musician so far?
I would have to say releasing my music to the world. With each release of a track, as I compose and arrange all of the music for my songs and also play the bass, rhythm, and lead guitar parts, it’s an amazing process and accomplishment hearing the song grow and be brought to life in the studio, then released for all to listen. A lot of work goes into my releases as every aspect is all done off my own back, so it makes each release all the more special. I can hear all of the parts in my head so it’s also a relief once the song is finished as it can drive you a little bit crazy not being able to actually physically hear it all together before it’s recorded. I’ll always be proud of performing live though, I have to say, as that is the bread and butter of being a musician. I aim to perform my tracks with a full live band (hopefully session musicians), which would definitely be my proudest moment.
What have been some of your favourite places to perform?
I would have to highlight the European and UK tours I did in my previous band. In terms of venue and attendance, they were the biggest shows I have played to date. I hope to take my career to the next level and get back to doing shows like that under my own name, playing my songs.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have any to recommend?
I do, there are a lot of up-and-coming artists on the rise on the Liverpool music scene but I would like to give a special mention to my friends and previous band members Ben Burke and Connah Abraham. Ben has 6 singles out on all major platforms and Connah has recently reformed ‘The Stamp’ with new band members. Both are great singers, songwriters, and all-round musicians so keep an eye out for them!
I would also like to mention an artist that isn’t my usual style of music to listen to but has really inspired me, ‘Ren’. He is becoming more well known now but I have seen his rise over the years and watching him overcome the adversity he has faced and all as a self-released artist is truly inspiring. A lot of his lyrics and outlook on real-world issues resonate with me and it’s really refreshing to see a true talent getting the recognition he deserves.
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
My new track “Purple Skies” Is fully recorded but I need to get the final master of the track finished and everything else around the release in place like the single cover and promo pictures. It will be released in January so I’ll be busy getting everything in place for its release. I also have a gig at Future Yard in Birkenhead on 23rd December which I am really looking forward to as it’s a venue I haven’t played in before but has been on my list of venues I would like to play. It will be a nice way to end a busy year of gigging and working hard to get my songs released and heard by a wider audience.
Find out more:
