After spending the last few years building and cultivating his sound, London-based singer-songwriter John Tibbits now looks to introduce himself to the world with the release of his vibrant debut single ‘Our Moment’.
Lifted from his newly unveiled debut EP ‘Light Of The Flame’, which is available to stream now, ‘Our Moment’ makes for a wonderfully warm introduction to his sound. With his rich and soaring voice layered across a breezy pop-rock production from start to finish, he is certainly looking to turn some heads with this initial outing.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Violin. I played it from when I was 6 until I was about 12 and loved the voicings it produced as an instrument. My perception changed as a young teenager and I gave it up in place of guitar, which I now view as a shame as it’s a beautiful instrument.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up listening to folk music (Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Roy Harper, Transatlantic Sessions etc.,) and 90s music (Stone Roses, Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, The Verve, Radiohead etc.,), inspired by my folks and older siblings. I still love both, but I have definitely lost some of the musical snobbery I harboured as a teenager that this musical education engendered!
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think the first album I ever bought was Now That’s What I Call Music! 65 when I was 9 – not exactly an album for the ages! Following that I bought Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not by Arctic Monkeys which I still love today.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are hundreds I wish I had written, but Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands by Bob Dylan is very high on that list!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I don’t necessarily have habits or rituals, but I randomly write a lot of my lyrics on the tube home from work. It’s one of the only times of the day that I have no access to the internet – and therefore no distractions from social media! I’ll then match those lyrics to riffs/chord progressions I’ve worked on and recorded. It is typically quite a messy process!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to Radiohead / Thom Yorke’s solo work a lot this year. There’s such diversity in their music that I find there’s always something to listen to regardless of my mood. Also featuring a lot recently are Pink Floyd, Arcane Roots, Glen Hansard, Fleetwood Mac, and Frank Turner. My taste is very varied beyond that too and I listen to lots of metal and DnB (especially whilst working out)!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Frank Turner. I love his music and his energy – he’s a top-class performer.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Listening to a fully mastered version of a song. There is always a voice at the back of my head that wants to be critical and change things, but it’s hard not to be proud of a song that I’ve nurtured from the first word to a finished composition.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The admin / cost that typically goes along with pursuing it properly! From recording, production, mixing, PR, marketing, and distribution (just to name a few), you can spend eye watering sums of money. I am fortunate to have savings from working for four years, but for those starting out as young adults it is an expensive business!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t try to force a song. A great song often writes itself and overthinking it can ruin it!
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John Tibbits’ debut single ‘Our Moment’ is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.