![\"CHARLIE](\"\/\/media.wonderlandmagazine.com\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Screen-Shot-2014-08-26-at-10.48.59-e1409046888920.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTo many of us, singer and songwriter Charlie Simpson was just the ‘boy that quit pop powerhouse Busted’ during it’s heyday.
\nHaving first ruled the pop charts with the Brit Award winners, Simpson won approval and praise from rock critics when his next outfit, alternative rock band Fightstar, appeared in 2005. Since his debut solo album Young Pilgrim, he’s taken a brief hiatus, got married and penned his most personal and credible new record to date. We caught up with the bushy-browed musician to talk McBusted, vulnerability and his forthcoming solo show at Camden’s Roundhouse.<\/p>\n
How easy \/ difficult for you was it to cross genres? You switched from pop to a slightly more heavier sound with Fighstar, whilst your solo works remains quite organic and folky in nature?<\/b><\/p>\n
I think it’s always hard for any artist to \u00a0come out with something that is hugely different from the stuff they have done before, as people tend to build up pre-conceptions. In the end though I think the music will always speak for itself and as long as it’s genuine, I think that’s all people really focus on.<\/p>\n
How does it feel to work as a solo artist rather than part of a band? Do you prefer to maintain full creative control rather than compromise with other members?<\/b><\/p>\n
I have enjoyed having complete creative control whilst making my last two solo albums. There is a sense of freedom you get when your writing on your own, to take a song wherever you want it to go, without needing to worry about other people’s opinions. However on the flip side, I do also really enjoy working in a band environment as you can react off other people’s ideas and it can be a very creative process.<\/p>\n
Who would you cite as your main musical influences and how do you think these influences have altered since you were younger?<\/b><\/p>\n
When I was young I was subjected to a lot of west coast 70’s music that my dad use to play me, Jackson Browne being one of the biggest influences. When I got to about twelve, I discovered Metallica and from there got in to much heavier music. Deftones have always been a massive influence on me. Now I tend to listen to a very eclectic range of music, anything from Daughter to bands like Lonely The Brave.<\/p>\n
Do you have any guilty pleasures? Any songs in your collection that you only break out in private?<\/b><\/p>\n
I think ‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna and Calvin Harris is an amazing song. I usually listen to dance music bit I think the melodies in that song are awesome.<\/p>\n
You seem fairly style-savvy. Do you favour any particular brands or designers? Where do you shop for clothes?<\/b><\/p>\n
I recently got some really nice shirts from Mr Start, which is a great tailors in Shoreditch. I usually get my jeans from places like Banana Republic or Lucky Brand. Ollie Sykes from the band Bring Me The Horizon has a clothing label called Drop Dead and I like a lot of their jumpers. I also think Reiss are great for winter coats and formal jackets.<\/p>\n
How does the new album \u2018Long Road Home\u2019 compare in sound to your previous releases?<\/b><\/p>\n
It’s a more Iive sounding record than anything I’ve recorded before. We recorded a lot of the album in a live environment, as I wanted to create the warmth you hear on some of the old 70’s records when everyone just use set up in a room and start playing together. I think modern recording techniques when everything is layered can sometimes make things sound a bit to clinical.<\/p>\n
Do you have any personal favourites on the record?<\/b><\/p>\n
I think the title track Long Road Home is definitely one of my favourite tracks on the album. It gives a great representation of what record is about to someone who hearing it for the first time. I also love playing this track love because of all the harmonies.<\/p>\n