After introducing himself with his wondrous debut EP 'The Centre Of The Downward Spiral' earlier this year, London-based artist aldred returns one again to deliver his breezy new single 'Yikes'.
Lifted from his newly released sophomore EP 'Degrees Of Freedom', which is available to stream now, 'Yikes' makes for a beautifully rich and immersive listen. Channelling more of that broad and illustrious bedroom-pop aesthetic he is building for himself, he is quickly cementing himself as one of the more innovative names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I ever played was the violin, so I guess I’ll go with that. I’ve been dramatic from a young age.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
This is going to sound pretentious but the first music I remember properly appreciating was classical music. Specifically, ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’ and ‘The Planets’. I went through a massive pop phase after this though.
What was the first album you remember owning?
‘American Idiot’ by Green Day.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
‘Paranoid Android’ by Radiohead, a masterpiece that I barely feel worthy of listening to.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I imagine my mind as a pan of boiling water and see what bubbles to the surface, I always get the best lyrics this way.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been really into The Smiths lately, I think it’s because it’s getting colder. Nate Brazier and Lucy Tun are some amazing upcoming artists I’ve been obsessed with recently.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Maybe Ethel Cain, so I could watch her show afterwards.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
You get to design your own music! It’s like a chef being able to make exactly the food they want to eat, or an architect designing their dream house. Then I get to share it with people and there’s the chance that it’ll be special for someone.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I really can’t complain, I love doing this so much. Every now and then people say my music is too depressing which frustrates me a bit because, like, too depressing for what?
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
‘Perfect is the enemy of good’.
-
aldred's new single 'Yikes' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.