In light of his new album hugo, we take a peek into the artist’s backstage rituals, and delve into the project’s conceptualisation, as well as catching up with his high flying supporting act, Wesley Joseph.
Photography by Charlie Coleman
Photography by Charlie Coleman
Loyle Carner is, undoubtedly, one of the most captivating and emotionally engaging writers and performers that the UK has to offer. He has recently released his third and strongest full length album, hugo, an eclectic, resolute and deeply personal dive into an artist who never fails to bring depth and delicacy to his art. He recently embarked on an accompanying hugo tour, which saw him sell out huge venues up and down the country, stunning his loyal fan base with an incredible gusto, set design, live band, and all round performance. Photographer Charlie Coleman opens us up to Carner in the most intimate of moments, on and off stage, capturing the artist in a poignant light.
Watch the backstage film…
Head below to read the interview…
Photography by Charlie Coleman
What’s Hugo all about?
Hugo is about, I guess, forgiveness ultimately, growing up and the reality of there being two sides to every person and it’s called Hugo because it’s named after my father’s car because his license plate was S331HGU.
Photography by Charlie Coleman
How do you want people to feel after seeing you live?
Hydrated, I don’t know I just want them to feel lifted together with other people, you know? I think it’s nice to leave people feeling like they’re part of something. So, to be heard, to be seen, to be in a community.
Photography by Charlie Coleman
You talk about the fact that every day doesn’t have to be a good day, what would you tell someone who is having a bad day today?
I mean happiness is not about happiness every day, right? It’s about understanding how to move – I saw this Virgil Abloh thing the other day where he was like “life makes waves, you can surf or drown” and I think some days are going to be bad days, some days are going to be good days. When the sea is choppy, that’s cool you know, it’s still the ocean. So yeah, if today is rubbish tomorrow will be better.
Wesley Joseph
Photography by Charlie Coleman
Following in the footsteps of artist’s like Carner, Wesley Joseph is amongst the most forward-thinking, meticulous and visionary artists currently active in the UK scene, flaunting his motley array of talents, from rapping to production to visual direction. Spearheading the burgeoning alternative movement, Joseph recently dropped GLOW, an extraordinary showcase of musical nuance, intellectual capacity and emotional reverence. Charlie Coleman caught up with the multi-faceted enigma, capturing his vibrant zest and chatting about the new project.
Be taken backstage with Wesley!
Read the interview below.
What is your first memory of music?
My first memory of music is my dad playing records in the house and me like playing with my fingers like climbing the stairs with my fingers, like they were little people, and he was playing records. That’s the first memory.
When did you realise you wanted to be involved in music?
As soon as I realised, I had access to doing it, which was probably 13. I loved it before then, but I just didn’t think that I could do it because there wasn’t access to it in my mind at that point. Then when I realised that anyone could do it and it’s not something that’s like an exclusive thing in a big studio – you can just do it in your bedroom.
Photography by Charlie Coleman
What’s your process when writing music?
I always start with the music first. I write concepts lyrically and ideas and metaphors without music, but I always make the music first and then have a stream of thoughts that I’m always updating and reflecting on as that’s always just on my phone or on in my notebook. When it comes to writing the songs, if the concept or idea doesn’t hit me in the face when I’m making the music, I normally look over my notes of life or metaphors or ideas, and then write to the music.
Talk us through your new album, Glow?
It’s all about a super raw and honest reflection of the emotional landscape I was in while I made it. It was just a therapeutic embrace of periods of time where I just reflected on what I felt like, and I put it into music. Conceptually, that’s what it is. It’s, literally just growth and taking the mask off a little bit. I think that’s kind of like when I look back after making it. It was an afterthought, but that’s what it is essentially. I’m working on my album right now, so I love Glow for what it is and I really hope it serves people in a deep, nourishing way. But by the time it came out, I had already received my nourishment from it and moved on. So, it’s like when it came out, I was just glad it was out because I’m mentally I’m excited about what I’m making I’m super excited of the concept that people might like it as much as I do. The idea that the record could serve and bring life and be the soundtrack to a lot of people’s days or nights or moments is super exciting to me. But that’s just up to the universe at this point.
How has the tour been, and supporting Loyle Carner?
For me, this tour specifically, I want people who want to know the music and are championing me to have an experience that amplifies that belief. Then for the people that don’t know anything about me, I want them to come through and just be introduced to something that they haven’t heard before and convert them into believing, I guess it’s kind of the belief tour for me right now because I’m just converting people’s belief in what I’m doing. That’s basically my whole life right now. It’s like just trying to create a village into an army.
