My debut album “Who Knows Now?” was released in October 2020, cleverly right in the middle of pandemic! I’ve released a couple of singles since and am working on my next release now. I don’t like to tie myself to one genre or another and fundamentally love the creative process. Generally, it’s kind of Electro, indie, punky, funky, poppy atmospheric rock with the odd cheeky slow number chucked in. Live I perform solo and definitely bring the noise!
What have you been up to this year & what can we expect in the coming months?
I’ve been writing, mostly, though I just re-emerged to play a couple of sets at Glastonbury. A fun re-introduction to getting out live again after a few months effectively being a hermit!
What are your thoughts on AI and its effect on the music industry?
It spreads doubt around artists legitimacy and undermines authorship and promotes unfair competition (regardless of music being a purely artistic endeavour in a fiercely competitive industry) which is another battle we don’t need alongside extremely low streaming rates, closure of music venues and lack of support from the successive governments at grassroots level. It needs regulation, and, in my view, like explicit language warnings were put on CD’s in the 90’s all AI generated/assisted” designations should be mandated on any music that's released.
Is streaming a good or bad thing?
While it’s made it easier for people to access music, consumers don’t need to make any investment in an artist, just stream a track and move on. It’s a very transient, transactional relationship. Plus the ethics of the owners of certain streaming companies are sketchy at best! Musicians are being scalped to fund investments in military hardware which is obscene! It needs a fundamental overhaul to allow equity for artists in what they’re being paid. The music industry evolves faster than pretty much any other industry so I think/hope people are getting tired of how the system currently works.
If you could play with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Alive – Chino Moreno from Deftones; awesome voice and range. Dead ... Otis Reading who could make singing a weather report thrilling!
What are your 3 favourite moments in your career?
1st gig at Blackpool Tower Lounge 1997
Debut album release for That Hidden Promise 'Who Knows Now?' in Oct 2020
I’ve played at least one gig at every Glastonbury I’ve been to since 2016 (6)
Who should we be listening to?
Me! Other than that, I’m ridiculously out of touch at the moment and must do better! If you enjoyed The Prodigy at Glastonbury, go check out some early 90’s rave/house!
What can save our venues?
The Music Venue Trust is fighting hard to spotlight and campaign on what needs to happen and a levy on any arena/stadium gig would certainly help subsidise creative spaces.
Fundamentally, they need more people going out and taking a punt on bands which, post pandemic, seems to have dropped a lot. Essentially they just need people to get out there and try something different!!! Councils should also cap rates, which are crippling venues, and the government should overhaul planning laws that currently do very little to protect creative assets. A key enabler in one of our biggest export industries!
Where is your favourite venue?
Brixton Academy which I'm glad is open again! Closer to home; Exchange, The Louisiana and Thekla in Bristol!
Anything you wish to Share?
Thanks for reading this far! Hold tight for new music and gigs which will be coming along soon! Also, I stand in solidarity with all artists who are against the genocide, slaughter and oppression of innocent people, and I stand against complicit governments and organisations who appease and do nothing to prevent it.