Known for his stellar performances in projects such as Avatar: The Way Of The Water, acclaimed British actor and director Jamie Flatters is now embarking on a new creative journey under the alias sandy crow. Blending indie and pop, he debuts his highly-anticipated, captivating musical endeavour with a double-side single: “LEARNING 037” and “Ur best day”.
“LEARNING 037” and “Ur best day” showcase Flatters dreamlike vocals and introspective lyricism as sandy crow — a persona armed with vulnerability and authenticity that transcends music. Exploring themes of regret and reconciliation, with influences ranging from rap to guitar legends such as Elliot Smith and Joni Mitchell, sandy crow’s sound is a unique fusion of genres. As Jamie self-directs his music videos and plans for more releases, the project emerges as a force to reckon with in the music scene, promising honesty, openness and a journey well worth following.
We hear from Jamie Flatters about expanding beyond his film career, debuting his musical alias, and what’s to come.
Watch the new video for “LEARNING 037”…
Read the interview…
Hi Jamie! How is 2024 treating you so far?
Good good, very good, thank you. How about you? …Hello?… Hello?… I said… HOW ABOUT YOU?!
How did the transition from acclaimed actor and director to musician come about for you?
In the public image we often fall for the illusion of someone actively transitioning or making analytical career changes. This is never the lived experience or thought process. This journey into releasing music is the product of the smallest steps and most pathetic rituals. I’ve played guitar since childhood and its still the thing I pick up after a long day in order to own a different zone of thought. Music has always been there and I’ve always made the effort to keep it close. I’m only a musician when making music, so this transition you speak of will be eternally recurring.
What inspired you to create the musical project sandy crow?
When embarrassed or shy we need other weapons at hand. There’s no better way to arm yourself than with a persona.
What themes or messages do you explore in the debut double-side single, “LEARNING 037” and “Ur best day”?
sandy crow, in “LEARNING 037”, talks about no longer minding about the worst being said, as long as something is truly felt – touching on a desperation to reconnect with his childhood friend. And in “Ur best day”, he addresses being a drunk, taking tube journeys and imagining how he’s wronged the one he should have loved the most. So, in both songs, regret and the want for reconciliation are at the core.
Can you describe the sound of sandy crow’s music, particularly in terms of genre and style?
Alternative pop. Or boyband music, but with just one boy. I’d also like to describe it as good music, but that of course won’t be a forced projection – I’m not going down for false advertisement. Not again.
How did you approach the creation of the debut music video for “LEARNING 037”?
I reached out to my friend and creative collaborator, the cinematographer Klára Šimonová. We’d just finished shooting my directorial debut feature film, ‘Shoulders’, and told her about my plans for music. Jordan Sellers came on to direct, with Manu Ausín, another friend and collaborator, doing the edit. We all know each other really well so music videos seem like the easy part. We shot the video in one long night shoot in and around Brixton. The idea was to physicalise the chase for resolution. I did a lot of running.
What artistic influences have shaped your musical journey with sandy crow?
I started out really interested in rap music. Specifically this sunken and often pessimistic sound out of America, of people like MIKE and MAVI (two different artists). But of course, I don’t rap anymore. It wasn’t good. Or not good enough. But the writing world they live in still influences what I’ve taken into the ‘pop’ world. In their sub-genre of rap, the narrator always takes the blame. I think that’s more true of how people think and feel, and that’s what I’m happy with writing about. I’m more than happy to judge myself and tell tales of when the world has saved me. I can’t talk about burning an Ex’s car without mentioning what the real consequences would be – that’s when the lyrics feel fake, because they hold no place in the nuisance of feeling and reason. I also need to shout out Elliot Smith, John Martyn, Joni Mitchell – the guitar hero’s. They teach the alchemy of how words should collide with melody. And finally to say, David Bowie is the philosophy that sandy crow will follow. A myriad of images, to the point that we don’t see the shallowness of ‘persona’, but instead, are forced to face a transcendent abyss. Thank God for these people.
Could you provide insights into your creative process when crafting your music?
Yes. I sit with a talented producer, most often Kurisu or J moon. They make a beautiful landscape of sound and I try my best to meet it with meaning. I also still write a lot on guitar, but these songs seem to have no need to be heard- they are happy where they are. I’d say the one thing I’d like to speak on is that I’m a big believe in not needing to know what a song means while writing it. Definitely gun for honestly and if you can, openness. But don’t analyse the words too quickly. I’d like to think that lyrics are the words that need a melody to be understood, and we should be thankful for their mystery.
What are your plans and aspirations for sandy crow beyond the release of this new music?
To release more music. To earn an audience’s respect. I’m down to fight for a creative life so I’m here to put in the work. And I thank anyone who’s receptive to the music. sandy crow lives after a long time dead, he’s grateful to arrive.