How did you get into writing and recording your own music?
During lockdown, I started learning the ukulele but decided it was a bit dull, so switched to guitar and bought a piano. I just kind of went from there, took A-level music after lockdown, and went down the production route there.
How would you describe your music?
Pearly Gates is a project is rooted in playing dance music live as a band, so I explicitly went down the route of playing house, garage, D&B, and jungle – just anything that will make people bust a move really.
How strong do you think the North-East music scene is and what can be done to improve it?
I grew up in Darlington and go to Newcastle University, so have always been revolved around the North-East music scene. It’s very close-knit – everyone knows everyone, yet it’s so diverse. In my opinion, there’s a lot of times where the North-East has been denied national coverage because of the stigma around the region. I think to improve it, people just need to promote their music, play as many gigs as we can, and try to get students to come to gigs instead of clubbing all the time.
Where do you see the future of Pearly Gates?
I’m currently just in the studio, well – just a room somewhere, but for me I’ve made all these songs with the intention of playing them live. They sound good on the track, but much better live, so I’d like to see the project go in a direction where I’m playing gigs across the country.
How have you found performing on local and national radio?
I find being interviewed and speaking live fairly nerve-wracking, but BBC Introducing North-East nurtures a really positive atmosphere for artists of all genres and for me has been a really good platform to elevate my music to the national level – most recently on BBC Radio Six Introducing with my new single ‘Hadley’.
Who are your three favourite artists at the minute and how have they influenced your music?
A bit of an obvious pick for many people, but Charli XCX and Chappell Roan. They’ve redefined pop and kind of shown me that you can make the music you want to make, and if you think it sounds good then it has a chance. I’m really into Hard Life too. They have so many elements of electronic dance music that they play live as a band, which I’ve tried to replicate with Pearly Gates.
Do you think gigs will be a big part of your project?
100%. Like I said, I’ve very much made my songs to be played live. I’ve got a gig in Newcastle at Little Buildings on the 10th of October, with tickets on Fatsoma. After that, we’re hoping to play Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
Quickfire
Biggest Musical Inspiration: Finneas.
Biggest Non-Musical Inspiration: My dog, Hadley.
Favourite Album of all time: 'The Kick Inside' by Kate Bush.