“I spent years meeting people’s expectations; the time felt right for me to try and meet my own. Going independent to produce this debut album has already fulfilled some of my dreams. I could go back to the roots of what got me into music in the first place, and channel such influences as Supertramp, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ray Parker Jr, Depeche Mode, 10cc, Chic… the 80s in general.
“I see my album as a newborn child – it’s the starting point. This feels like parenting; hoping for the best for your kids, guiding them through life and the choices we all have to make. You can’t please everyone all the time, and I guess what’s great is that that’s not really the point?
“Life is also all about the company we keep along the way. So it felt natural to invite guest artists such as Kevin Godley from 10cc and James Atkin from EMF, as well as friends made over time such as Lucy Pullin (Craig Armstrong, Robbie Williams, Goldfrapp), Rachael Atkin (Fluke, Beauty School Drop Outs), PJ Hawn, Melanie Taylor, Nick Tart (Diamond Head), Roxy Horner and Flora. I’m really proud of all our collaborations and so grateful for their generosity and support. It doesn’t end there – stay tuned for some more surprise appearances on an upcoming deluxe version of Twenty Five Ten…
“Besides my emotional motivation to complete this album, I really wanted it to serve as a bridge between genres, eras and generations. To somehow connect the dots between timelines in a unified story, with all those joyful and crazy moments, different directions and contradictions juxtaposed. Or more simply put: to tell my story.”