Over these last few years, Liverpool-based artist Addley has established himself as one of the more exciting names on the rise. And with his eagerly-awaited debut EP ‘We Can Talk For Hours’ set to arrive very soon, he is continuing that upward ascent with his stellar new single ‘Blue And Gold’.
So we decided to sit down with him to discuss his origins and influences over the years, as well as what he has planned for the months ahead too.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I’m an alternative music artist from Liverpool making sad/dancey music. I’ve been in bands and involved with stuff for years and been working on my own stuff now coming up to two years. With my Live band we’ve been playing around the country and recording my Debut EP that’s coming out this October
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
I think my music and I have ended up being a muddle of some Florence + The Machine, with the big instrumentation and large band sound with London Grammar and how they blend electronic and acoustic so seamlessly mixed in with a load of Faithless, Bicep, Fred Again… I think dance and electronic music can carry the most emotion often and for me it’s something I always want to incorporate. I like to say it’s if an indie/alternative band went to a rave.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I’ve just always been drawn to performance and had an obsessive nature with music and artists I love. I think when you’re a creative person you can’t really stop doing what you do and I definitely debated safer, more secure paths but I think it’s important for artists to own what they do and who they are so after Uni it seemed the right time to take that thought process on fully and go for it.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
I tend to be quite unorganised and unstructured when I’m writing, truthfully I get most of my ideas when I’m in work either on the shop floor or making coffees and it will sit in my head for a long time before I sit down and try and get something together. I’ve found that the best songs I’ve written are the ones that I leave in my head for a while instead of trying to force them.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Most of the music I’ve written is inspired by nightlife really and dancefloors and the escape they seem to give people. I think there’s something beautiful in that and also something dark.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I want people to feel seen and not alone really in their messy decisions or difficult situations that they might get themselves in. My music is to cry to, or dance to… whatever you need.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
There’s definitely a financial aspect to trying to make it as an artist that doesn’t really get talked about, I think there’s a lot of well needed and overdue talk currently though about supporting grassroot venues so I hope this trickles down to create more conversations and support for helping develop independent, new artists.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
I really like making things so whenever I finish a track, get a final master or shoot a music video they’re my favourite times as often it’s working with people I really admire and love.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I think you need to decide who you are, what you can do and what you want to do really. There’s so much independent artists need to balance now with social media etc and you can really get lost in the pressure of that. I try and do what I’m good at and not be afraid to ask for help at the stuff I’m awful at – you’d be surprised really at how much people want to help and support you because they care about you and what you’re creating.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
I’ve got my Debut EP ‘We Can Talk For Hours’ coming October 11th with a massive headline show for it the week after on the 18th. This EP has been my entire life for this year and I’m so excited to finally share it. My band and I have been working really hard on our live show, reworking tracks and creating visuals that’s going to be so fun to start performing.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I want to be able to just carry on creating, writing and working with the people I’m working with and hopefully meeting new people and getting to work with them. At this level I think I’m just scratching the surface of what Ii want to do and think there’s a lot of music I’ve got in me so I can’t wait to see where it all goes.
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Watch the new video for Addley’s ‘Blue And Gold’ below.
