Interview with Kyle Chatham

Interview with Kyle Chatham

Today, we sat down with Kyle Chatham to talk the type of music he grew up on, advice for musicians and much more! Be sure to check out his music below after the interview on Spotify!

Interview:

What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your
surroundings?
I think surroundings do play a big part in spurring on creativity in any way. You are implicitly influenced by the things around you, be it other conversations, music, the weather, the community, the feeling of the area you are in. My home growing up was in a small village of about 3000 people near the countryside in Scotland and I now live in South London. I can feel the change in my approach to music and for a while it felt extremely difficult to write in London. It perhaps is one of the reasons the music I’m writing now is different to the music I was putting out when I lived back home.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
A lot of 90s alt rock like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains. In my early teens I began to explore more solo artists like Jeff Buckley and bands from genre’s I hadn’t experienced before like The Smiths and Joy Division. I’m still influenced by all of those acts from time to time.
Is there someone you looked up as a hero?
I try not to have anyone in mind too heavily like that, or at least have multiple rather than one person. I’ve always admired Ben Howard’s stubbornness and the approach he takes to his live show and recording output. Anyone who doesn’t adhere to standards or expectations and truly follows their own ideas has my respect.
If you weren’t a musician, would you be doing today?
I have no idea, it’s literally the only thing I’m half good at. I’d maybe have a crack at writing to some degree but I don’t know in what capacity.

What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create
music?

I think to remember there’s no rush. There’s an idea in music these days I find tremendously unhelpful that it’s a young person’s game. I can’t imagine breaking into worldwide success at the age of 18, immediately touring arenas worldwide and having your third album out by the age of 24 and everyone has moved on from you. What do you do for the rest of your life? I think it’s best to take your time, follow your intuitions and be stubborn with your craft. If you make something you think is amazing, that’s all you need.

Music: