RHODES – „Drink To This“ + Exclusive Interview

1. Thank you very much for your time! Before we introduce your new release to our readers – what kind of drink would you recommend to sip on while they listen to your new music

Excellent question. A tommys margarita!

2. Please give us an update about – new single, new album, tour dates, new videos?!

So this year I’ve finally started releasing new music from my next record! It just feels indescribably great to be be putting out music again. Like a huge relief just to be sharing my work. Like most people, life slowed down a lot during the pandemic and the years just started to blur together a little bit. Thankfully I was able to keep creating and the time gave me a lot of perspective on life and on my career in general. There has been many ups and downs for since releasing my debut album in 2015 and I’ve had to work my way out of a few extremely toxic relationships and find ways to build my self back up on my own terms. I have a whole new team that I’m working with and it feels amazing to have all these people tirelessly working to help me put out my songs and open up the audience. There’s a sold out London show in October and in the new year I’ll release the album and do a bigger tour of Europe! I can’t wait.

3. We live in times of many conspiracy theories. Which, harmless, theory would you wish were true? (For example Dinos living inside Earth or E.T. living in a home in California)

I like the conspiracy theory that Harry Styles wears a wig. Sometimes something will pop up on twitter where someone just so strongly and whole heatedly believes this to be true – like they’re not joking at all and spend a lot of time trying to prove it and look for clues etc. I guess it’s not so much that I actually want this to be true but I just like that it exists.

4. What fashion style or brand would best describe your music?

Burberry – I’ve had a lot of history working with the brand and I love it for being so iconic and timeless. I would love for my music to be the same way.

5. Tell us more about your songs! Topics! Message!?

My songs are about heartbreak and suffering but also I try to write about hope and offer who ever is listening a place of refuge and togetherness. I want people to know they are not alone in their feelings and as someone who experiences a lot of complexed mental health issues I know how important it is to know that there is someone else who understands you. I also know how much of a positive impact music has had on me when I’ve needed it most so I just want people to find that solace within my music too.

6. Beside music, do you have any special talents?

I’m really good at being a dad to my little 5 year old son.

7. Name 5 things we all should know about you as an artist?!

I started playing in bands from the age of 9.

I always had a great fear of singing, I only ever sang alone in private up until my early 20‘s. Glad I over came that one.

When I first started I would never collaborate. I used to not like it at all but I think it was just insecurity and worrying I wasn’t good enough. There’s no better feeling than making music with your mates.

I know what its like to have nothing and no one, therefore I know how lucky and privileged I am to be making art for a living.

Other than spiders my biggest fear is time.

8. How did you learn to sing/ to write/ to play??

I was lucky because my parents are both creative. My Dad played guitar at home and I remember being woken up on Saturday mornings by him playing guitar. He taught me my first few chords when I was 8 or 9. My best friend was just as much in to music as me and his parents had the most epic vinyl collection that got us into bands like the doors, pink floyd, thin lizzy, led zeppelin and also some much more obscure stuff from the 60’s & 70’s that’s opened our minds up a lot from what our other mates were listening to! I’d always be in to this idea of freedom in music and feeling able to go in whatever direction you want so teaching my self always worked really well for me. After playing guitar and bass in a few bands I started writing my own songs and singing in my early 20’s. I feel like we can all write and are all capable of writing something meaningful. Obviously you have to learn a little bit about form and poetry but I feel like you can do your learning by just listening to great music! My only rule is honesty and simplicity.

Instagram: @rhodesmusic

Foto Credit: Charlie Moore