Photographer Joshua Peroti – Fashion Editor Safiya Yekwai – Talent Tom King – Grooming by Ella Carter Allen using Erborian – Retouched by Hannah Farmery – Styling Assistant Charis Lister – Interview by Ciarán Howley
Suit Denzil Patrick – Tank Stylist’s Own – Loafer Prada from @ssscubasteve / Shirt Simone Rocha from @ssscubasteve – Necklace Stylist’s Own
Your voice often feels like it arrives gently but lands with weight. Do you think about first impressions when writing or recording?
I usually don’t think about people perceiving the song whilst I’m writing it, I’m generally trying to get a feeling off my chest or a situation out my mind. I think the songs I’ve written with the most feeling are usually introspective, and when I think about it too much, it usually ends with me getting stuck. That’s not to say that first impressions aren’t important. I always think about how each song is introduced, but this usually comes after the demo is written, and I can play with the structure and production freely.
From cathedral choirs to moody pop ballads, that’s quite a shift in tone. What stayed constant in how you approach reaching people through sound?
I’ve always loved to sing, I’ve never stopped singing. It’s one of the most powerful ways to communicate emotion to someone. There’s a release, similar to laughing or crying, that I feel when I sing. It’s therapeutic and addictive.
The title ‘Confessions of a Lonely Heart’ almost feels like an outstretched hand. Is confession a way for you to initiate connection?
My friends would agree I’m a very open book, sometimes maybe too open, but I hate keeping secrets and I’m also a terrible liar. I have very meaningful relationships in my life, and I think being bluntly honest with the people around me and allowing them to do the same is the reason why.
Vest Stylist’s Own – Jeans Raf Simons from @ssscubasteve – Shoes Samsoe Samsoe – Rings Stylist’s Own / Polo Ben Sherman
You’ve said you write best from raw feelings. Do you think openness in music is a kind of handshake, not always tidy but sincere?
Absolutely. I have clammy hands, so that will turn some people off, but some people will find it endearing. Either way, they’re getting the rawest version of me, which is important as an artist. Being tidy is fine but being a hot mess is real.
Some of your lyrics feel like they’re speaking to one person, closely. Do you write with a specific listener in mind, or is it more abstract?
It depends on the song. ‘Excuses’, for example, is a direct conversation with an ex. On that particular day, I was writing as if they were in the room with me. There are a couple of songs on my upcoming project that have felt more like diary entries to me. One in particular, I’ve called ‘Hourglass’, which is about how scared I am to live without my parents. For this song, I didn’t have a listener in mind, but I felt more like I was writing to the universe, to God and to myself.
Pink Suit Kweku Joseph – Vest Stylist’s Own / Cardigan Samsoe Samsoe – Vest Stylist’s Own – Trousers Dries Van Noten from @ssscubasteve – Shoes Prada from @ssscubasteve
A cover song can be a kind of tribute but also a conversation. When you reinterpret someone else’s work, are you trying to meet them halfway?
I record so many covers nowadays that I’m mostly trying to sing the right lyrics and hit the right notes. I think I naturally emphasise words that stand out to me, which can sometimes give the song a different feel. I also like to flip an upbeat song into a ballad, especially when it has great lyrics: I love how it can create what feels like a completely new song.
In performance, do you notice when a crowd really meets you, when the energy feels mutual like a shared moment rather than just reception?
One of my favourite moments live, especially in a noisy venue, is starting to sing, as the room goes quiet. There’s a rush of anxiety when all eyes are on you but also electricity when you have everyone’s attention. Sometimes, if I have my eyes closed, I can feel someone staring at me, like we’re connected through the music, and when I look up I feel the emotion on their face and in their eyes. That to me is a magical moment and reminds me of the power of live music.
You’ve spoken about queerness as part of your story. Do you think music offers a space to greet people as your full self without needing to explain?
I always think there could be more queer representation in all industries. I’m grateful music has allowed queer people to be celebrated, and I hope I can carry that forward. In my new project I have a song called ‘Boy Next Door’ that was so fun to write, and I’m excited about it because it is completely, unapologetically queer without any explanation.
Shirt Denzil Patrick / Total Look Kweku Joseph
Has a fan ever said something that felt like they really got what you were trying to say, like a moment of unspoken understanding?
I had a really touching moment with a couple after a show once. A woman came up to me to tell me that one of my songs, ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ (on the new project), had really connected to her partner. She said that he opened up to her about his mental health and that this song had made their bond even stronger. It really solidified why I want to put music like this out, and reminded me how important it is to be true and vulnerable in everything that I do.
Looking ahead, is there a sound, mood or story you haven’t shared yet, something you’re still building up to putting out in the world?
I have a whole new project of songs, and it’s been a long process writing and finishing them. Imagine me handing you my personal diary that has everything from my love life, my fantasies, my mental struggles and deepest fears inside. It’s honest, joyful Indie Pop with a feel good atmosphere. It’s warm and welcoming, and I hope it makes everyone feel right at home.