We are back with another absolute beast of a Beneath The Surface and this time it’s with hat wearing heart throb, Hugo Valentine. Find out what we got to chatting about on this lovely little Friday afternoon.
Hey Hugo, thanks for setting aside some time for us today, it’s great to catch up with you!
So, my first question is rather an expected one, but what would you say first sparked your interest in music/who inspired you to make music?
I’ve always loved music, for as long as I can remember. My first inspirations came from Queen – I have memories of being a really young child listening to Radio Ga Ga and dancing around the kitchen with my brother.
I have visions of a teeny tiny Hugo in a fedora performing his mightiest moves, very cute! How would you describe the music you are currently creating?
I would say I consider it to be piano based pop music. I am a singer-songwriter at heart and my influences these days are mostly pop artists, so when writing and making records those are the kind of people I’m usually inspired by.
We love some piano based pop here and are rather partial to a bit of Singer-songwriter. What would you say your creative process look like?
I usually start with a melodic hook in my head. Sometimes the lyrical hook comes too, other times I get the melody down first. I love writing hooks in my music as I find it makes the songs more catchy and exciting. I usually then sit at the piano and try to play the first idea of the song from beginning to end, even if there are things I am not yet totally happy with. Building this structure early on makes a good framework for the song and helps me to see how it can develop. After that I start recording. Sometimes this will literally just be piano and voice, other times I will demo drums and guitar to build a vibe. Once this is done I usually leave it to let it simmer for a bit before coming back to tweak things and finish it off.
Seems like you have your process on lock and it is definitely working out for you! Who would you most like to collaborate with? (let’s send it out to the universe and make it happen!)
Sia! Please please please let’s make this happen! She is my songwriting idol.
Interesting! Sia is such a quirky character, we love her music here. “Abracadabra” consider it well and truly out there in the cosmos. What is the one message you would like to send out to your fans?
I am always so grateful for the support you all give. From coming to my shows to buying my music even down to a nice comment on one of my posts – it all counts. I see being an artist as a game of two halves – the artist and the fans are of equal importance. I make music to connect with people and to make them feel something so when I see this happening it really makes it all worthwhile.
What a beautiful way of looking at and respecting your fans. It is absolutely two way street! What’s your top tip to rejuvenate your creativity/get over a writer’s block?
Go outside. See nature in its beauty, smell fresh air and appreciate the natural world. This is what inspires me and gets my blood flowing. I also love running too.
Yes, I am a firm believer in Nature being a nurturer! So finally, what’s next for you, what do we have to look forward to/ what are you currently working on?
More music in the pipeline. Also a couple of live streams might be on the horizon, as well as a few other nice things over the next couple of weeks – keep your eyes peeled. As soon as the venues open again I will be doing a live show for you all!
Thank you once again Hugo for the heartwarming, incredibly wholesome chat on this rather fine Friday!
You can listen to Hugos brand new single – ‘My Friend’, released today right here.
And keep up to date with him below:
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