How would you describe your music for people who don’t know you?
My music is honest and simple. If you like unpretentious, fun, beachy, sunny music then have a listen!
Your debut album Long Straight Lines is out now – are you proud of it?
Yes, it’s great to get it out. For me this album marks the beginning of my solo career. The reviews have been way beyond my expectations, which has blown me away – I just want people to enjoy it and to come along to the shows!
Your live shows are getting bigger and better – do you enjoy playing live?
Playing live is what it’s all about for me. It’s the purest form of expression and I love to hang out with the audience. I like the small shows as much as the big ones, if the the audience are up for it then I am happy whether it’s thousands or a few. I am doing a bedroom tour in December which will be extremely intimate and a load of fun. Mulled wine, open fires and hopefully some storms to make it feel extra cosy.
You released a couple of EPs before you released your album – which EP is your favourite and why?
The songs on the Swimming EP mean a lot to me, as they are from a tough time in my life, and the Breakfast EP is made up of songs about a girl that I cared for very much. I can’t choose!
Your track ‘She Began To Dance’ was featured on the Match.com advert – how did you feel about the advert?
Well, it’s great to do these things as the exposure is great – everyone knows the advert! I hope people like the little tune, Steven sings it very well on the advert. The people from match.com and Mother (creative company) were great to work with; I am still in touch with them all, which is always nice!
Which song do you wish you had written?
Have you got time? The album I love more than any other is Graceland – it’s a moment of magic from a true magician.
Who’s your ultimate icon and how have they influenced you?
My family and friends are my biggest influences. They keep me from wobbling.
What made you get into music?
My brother is a virtuoso pianist and songwriter. I would watch him play after school – he would sit and improvise for hours at the age of seven just playing music to smile, laugh and relax. Between that and my dad’s guitar, which was just lying around until I picked it up at the age of eleven, I would say I was always destined to get into music. I started writing songs straight away. They were pretty bad.
What do you hope to do before the end of 2012?
I am working on a new EP and it’s nearly finished – I can’t wait to get it out there. It’s very laid back and it’s really a little something something for sunny days in the car or the kitchen.
What’s the weirdest thing that’s happened to you through music – it could be on tour, in the studio, anything!
Signing to Polydor was weird – we did it at Wembley Arena at a ZZ Top gig. Justin Hawkins from The Darkness was there as well as Jason and Adam Perry from A. Steel Panther were there too – they make me laugh a lot. I walked in on the singer in his briefs without his wig… It was quite a shock! It was an awesome mixture of Suffolk boys done good with a few rock gods mixed in. Good times.