Following on from the release of his much-loved LP 'Computer Rock With Notes On Translation' last year, Canadian singer-songwriter H.Pe has now returned with his tender new single 'Dublin'.
Lifted from his newly unveiled third studio album 'Lines', which is available to stream now, 'Dublin' makes for a wonderfully warm and embracing listen. Capturing more of that sweet and atmospheric acoustic-led direction he is known for, he is continuing his ascent as one of the more captivating names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Definitely the vocals. I really fell in love with singing when I was quite young. In the 80’s, my mother used to blast Phil Collins’ Face Value on cassette while we sang and danced. I loved it. Still a great record! A lot of Lionel Ritchie too. I could sing Hello all night long!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was a teenager, I found Nirvana and punk rock, which led me down a labyrinth of great music. Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Dinosaur Jr, Nick Cave and then Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden and all that stuff. Those bands constantly talked about their influences too, which led me to David Bowie, Talking Heads, Black Flag, Joy Division, The Cure, The Smiths, etc.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Thriller. It was on vinyl. I was quite young, and I used to sit up against the wall in the living room looking at the jacket with Michael and that white suit. It’s hard to understand today, but at the time, he was the coolest person on the planet. I even owned a white glove. I remember the song Thriller used to scare the shit out of me because of the music video but I still played it over and over.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Angeles by Elliott Smith. I recently heard a cover of it by Shannon Lay and it also made me wish that I could play the song as beautifully as she does.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Listen to a good record. And then see what happens.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Big Thief. Their latest album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You, is amazing. But you can’t go wrong with anything in their catalogue. Adrienne Lenker is definitely one of my favourite songwriters. I have also been listening to a lot of Michael Kiwanuka, 1970’s Bob Dylan, Aphex Twin, Leon Bridges, Dry Cleaning, and Destroyer’s latest album. For Sunday Mornings: Hania Rani or Makaya McCraven.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Anything connected to Damon Albarn. I would love to sit down and have a good music chat with him.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When you write something that you just want to keep playing again and again. It doesn’t matter if anyone else ever hears it. It just feels amazing. It’s the most fun thing that there is in the world.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Finding people that will listen.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Do it for you. Never for them. Feel it. Make sure it means something because then it will likely mean something to someone else too. And never ever give up something that you love.
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H.Pe's new single 'Dublin' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.