Sirens and Shelter gets to work on a new sound

In the summer of 2018, I moved to Malaysia and, without meaning to, continued to write songs. ‘Carried Your Weight’ is quite simply a release of frustration at a situation back home which I felt powerless to influence or help resolve; I could only observe from afar. Living 7000 miles away from your family and friends has its difficulties, and feeling the distance is one of them. This track is personal and I think you can hear that in my vocal takes.

Link to play:: https://sirensandshelter.bandcamp.com

I’m a Brit currently living in…  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Who has been the most influential in your music? 

My close friends and family are incredibly influential in my musical development. They’re all very supportive and encourage me when I need it. Living so far away from them can be tough, and a lot of my songs reflect this.

When did you know that this was the right path for you? 

I’m not entirely sure there’s a right or wrong path, but I do love the intricate puzzle that is songwriting; I’ve become more comfortable with my output in recent times and at this moment, I feel I’m in a good place for releasing music.

What do you like most about what you do? 

As a one-man band, if you will, I love the challenge of writing and arranging multiple parts on different instruments. It’s this process that takes the most time, but the feeling of accomplishment, once you’ve captured and heard your ideas back from mix and master, is amazing.

What do you most hope to accomplish with your influence?

I think the most important aspect of creating music is how it enables you to connect with others. I don’t ever write to serve others, but I find it humbling when I hear of my music resonating with somebody else.

What is the biggest obstacle you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

I decided to move abroad three years ago, spending time in the Bahamas and in Malaysia. Being so far from home, my friends, family and a studio that I trust/am comfortable in is a big obstacle. I flipped the problem on its head by taking way more time to write each song, and by continually reviewing and reworking ideas. When I come home for Christmas or summer to visit, I book it some studio time and capture as much as I can in a very short amount of time!

What do you want people to remember most about you and your career?

If I’m honest, I find the question a little uncomfortable. If I stopped writing and releasing music, I’m not sure many would give it much thought, such as the disposable nature of music these days.

What are you most looking forward to this next month?

I’m heading back into the studio to record two more songs at the end of August before flying home to Kuala Lumpur. I’m very much looking forward to making some more noise! I love the recording process.