We like ALEX HULME here at Oxjam, he’s the kind of musician that will go the extra mile to help out a worthy cause. And with his velveteen vocals and masterful layering of loops he is in the perfect position to do so, winning over crowds and gaining plaudits from the likes of Paul McCartney and Billy Ocean.
After the huge success of his Climb EP, Alex has had a busy summer – as well as raising funds during our Launch Party at the sadly lost Mello Mello, he has also found himself take to some formidable platforms, none more so than Lancaster Castle.
Ahead of his third performance at Oxjam this year – taking to the Popped Music curated HOUSE – we caught up with Alex…
It was great having you open this year’s Oxjam at our Launch Party back in July. Did you enjoy it?
YES! Such a fantastic gig and line up, not to mention venue! Though it is a shame that MelloMello has closed now. It was a really fun launch party!
You’ll be playing our Lucy Rose show and then returning again for the Takeover itself. It seems you can’t get enough of Oxjam this year?
That sounds right to me! I’ve always been a big supporter of Oxjam events in the past and it’s great to be on so many stages this year across Liverpool. I’ve always been involved in Oxfam events as my parents were on the local committee when I was a kid. It’s a fantastic charity and it feels great to raise some money through music.
It looks like you were busy over the summer. What did you get up to?
Summer was a BLAST. I had a great run of festivals across the UK and it was awesome to be out promoting my most recent release, Climb. All in all a damn good summer!
You’ve had some cool gigs recently too. Playing in Lancaster Castle the other day must have been pretty surreal?
Yeah that was great. I’ve been gigging around Lancaster for a long time but the Castle has never been open for public events until this year. It was still being used as a prison and they couldn’t let too many of the public in, so it was really special to be the first live music act there in about 1000 years. Definitely one of the biggest stages Lancaster has seen as well.
What has the reception been like to Climb so far?
Climb seems to have gone down really well. It’s been my fastest selling EP to date and they have now all totally sold out, I don’t even have a copy for myself! We are going to be repressing the CD with a few live tracks and remixes in the run up to my next EP in early 2015.
Are you working on any new material?
Writing songs is my biggest addiction. I never really stop making new songs though I am awfully picky. I write a lot of songs and 90% end up in what I call ‘The Graveyard’ which is a folder on my computer full of the riffs and half written tracks that didn’t make the cut. In terms of releases the next EP is looking like a 2015 release. It’s all finished now and we’re just waiting for the right moment to stick it out there. It’s easily the best music I’ve ever produced… or at least I think so!
Where do you get inspiration when you’re writing music?
Mainly from my own experiences. Sometimes I look to other people’s lives or events and write from their perspective, but I always find it best to write from what goes on in my own head.
Has your style changed much over time?
I’d say so yes. I’ve been writing as a solo artist now since I was 17 so around 6 years and it’s changed a lot over time. I was much more pop focused back when I was younger and that side of my writing has definitely moved on into something more ‘folkier’ and darker. I’m still a sucker for a catchy chorus though and I love writing commercial music but just not so in your face as it used to be. I’ve got back into putting my guitar more towards the front of my writing rather than using it just lay the foundations for the song.
How long have you been writing music?
I started playing guitar when I was about 9 years old and I started writing straight from the get go. I think my first track was named after a logo on a cardboard box… I guess we all have to start somewhere!
Was it difficult to establish yourself at the start?
It’s always a very difficult job becoming established on any level. I’ve always moved progressively though and worked damn hard to build a name for myself in any way I can. The last year has seen a real shift in momentum for me though and I’m really excited about the future!
Will your set on Thursday differ much from the set you play at the Takeover?
Yeah, about half of the set will be different; I’m throwing some new tracks that I’ve been holding back for just such an occasion! I can’t wait for it if I’m honest, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
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