Tell us a little bit about where you’re from?
Wolverhampton. Population of about a quarter of a million. It’s just northwest of Birmingham and is sandwiched between the Staffordshire and Shropshire countryside but itself is a pretty industrial city. As a child I remember wandering around industrial estates and derelict factory buildings. Some of it is considered The Black Country, including Heath Town, near where I spent most of my young life, as well as Low Hill, until I moved to Birmingham when I was 21. Now I live in Los Angeles and have done for the last 10 years or so.
How has your location affected your music?
Well the personnel are subject to location for the most part and this effects the overall sound greatly, particularly if i co-write. In terms of the songs themselves I can’t say I have felt a direct influence, other than experiences and connections that came about from being in a certain place at a certain time. Of course my surroundings during my upbringing shaped me as a person so in that way of course my intuition as an artist is guided by that foundation.
What genre would you describe your music as?
I don’t know. Alternative. Music to give birth to.
What are you listening to?
I just got gifted 3 Plasmatics albums so I’m currently processing that whole thing.
Where can we see you play?
‘Deranged to Divine’ – UK Solo Tour with Special Guest – She Makes War:
August 03 – Cardiff – The Globe Cardiff: http://tinyurl.com/gscaf8a
August 04 – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds Kings Heath: http://tinyurl.com/zdq6xpb
August 05 – London – The Lexington: http://tinyurl.com/zohofhg
August 06 – Manchester – Factory Manchester: http://tinyurl.com/gls47da
August 07 – Glasgow – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut: http://tinyurl.com/jrdb3ce
August 09 – Bristol – The Louisiana: http://tinyurl.com/jc3pdyq
August 10 – Milton Keynes – The Craufurd Arms (Live Music Venue): http://tinyurl.com/z5nxllb
August 11 – Brighton – The Green Door Store: http://tinyurl.com/gm5jqgr
Are there any evocative personal experiences that come through in your music?
Sure. All of the songs carry that. I think if I am singing directly about an experience in a song it’s pretty self explanatory, for instance Pick Up The Phone or Do You. Or it at least lets on as much as I would want to without removing the mystery, metaphor, or stripping it of the opportunity to be wildly misinterpreted by anyone listening.
Tell us about your live setup?
For my UK tour in August I will be touring solo, without any other musicians, meaning it’s just me and an electric guitar with a few little bells and whistles. I am planning on adding a visual element with a projection display put together with an artist from Portland especially for this show.
What’s next?
In terms of music… I’m writing a new record. I’m doing some shows in the UK with Tears For Fears in July then touring Deranged to Divine (solo) in the UK in August. Then more writing. Then more shows with Puscifer toward the end of the year. Also, we are talking about the next Early Winters record coming out early next year.
