Charles Hibberd interview.

So you've been playing locally for the past year and a half, how are you finding that and

what does the Sheffield / Derbyshire local scene have to offer?

It's not bad at all to be honest, at the stage I'm at right now. Sheffield has a lot to offer. I mean,

I've been lucky enough to play some of the more prestigious venues there such as the O2

Academy and the Plug, as well as countless other venues and I always get the same impression

that it's a blooming environment for music. In fact I'm playing Plug again on Friday the 20th of

May, which should be great! Derbyshire, or at least Chesterfield where I'm based, isn't quite as

exciting or catering to musicians however there are some good venues and it's still always fun to

play close to home!

As well as playing solo, you've also been playing with a band... How is playing a gig solo

compared to playing with a full band behind you?

It's two very different experiences to be honest. Alone it's very easy and extremely satisfying

when it goes well because I get a lot more control and creativity over what happens in the set and

what I play, however it can get tedious and sometimes I feel like my sets are very empty when I

play live. Playing with a band can be a lot more effort and it does mean more compromise and

relying on other people however it can be far more rewarding and I feel like it's far more

entertaining for the crowd. It's also incredible to have a band playing my songs with me live, it's

just so much more fulfilling than playing it solo.

You entered the studio in October 2015 to record your debut EP "Oh, What A Shame". How

was your studio experience and what was the general reaction to the EP?

The studio experience was actually really cool! I've been in studios to record single songs and

little demos a couple of times but it was amazing to go and have a couple of days dedicated to

recording my songs and developing them, and I'm delighted with the outcome. The reaction to it

was genuinely really nice. I had a lot of positive feedback, I've had tracks off it played on radio

stations, and overall it's made my music career take a more professional stance which is always

exciting!

Your title track "Too Close To Call" was also featured on BBC Introducing Sheffield, how

was that and how did it affect you as a musician?

I remember when I found out it had been played. As soon as I got the EP back from mastering I

submitted it to BBC Introducing and then I was at a party three days later and got an email telling

me it had been played on BBC Radio Sheffield and I didn't believe it. I had to screenshot the

notification so I could check it again in the morning because I was so shocked! But honestly it was

fantastic and actually inspired me to release the EP earlier than I had planned, as after hearing

Too Close To Call on the radio I had a lot of demand from people to hear the rest.

In your music, do you take influences from many genres?

I think anyone who wants to create a unique sound has to really, and that's what I strive for, so yes,

I'd say so. I take influence from any genre of music that I like to be honest, and that spider webs

out everywhere really from rap to metal to pop punk to indie. Obviously I have the bands that

really inspire me but I think it's good to draw from as many different corners as you can to make a

really intriguing sound.

Your vocals are often compared to Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), is Billie Joe

Armstrong an idol and a guidance in your musical career?

Billie Joe Armstrong is the man who made me want to be a musician. I think that's enough said

there really? Haha!

Do you find as time goes by, being a local artist is getting more difficult? Is there enough

support out there for you?

It is difficult, it's relatively demoralising sometimes because it feels like you're a bit trapped in the

same environment and not really going anywhere. However at the end of this year I'm planning on

going to Manchester for university so that'll be a big location shift and hopefully I can improve

there and leave with a relatively strong backing here in Chesterfield.

You said you're now in the process of writing your next EP, or potentially a debut album?

When can we expect to hear more about this?

At the moment it's a huge work in progress and really only a concept. It's very realistic that I could

have a single or two floating around by summer, but at the moment I'm really looking to get back

into the studio for a bigger project in summer. Whether that will be another EP or maybe even an

album I'm not sure yet, but I'm always working on developing new music and new material to get

out there!

What's your standard routine for preparing for a gig?

Alcohol. Lots of it. Haha! There isn't a lot of preparation to be quite honest, I tend to just chill out

and think about the set and if I'm with the band joke about a bit, it's never really a big deal and I

don't have any rituals or anything like that.

How did you get into playing music? Who got you to pick up your first instrument?

I got into playing music from listening to Green Day, strangely. My dad played guitar, as did my

brother at the time, so I had a lot of guitars around the house and one day I picked one up and

asked my dad to teach me some chords so I could play Green Day. They were all I played for

about a year which is probably why people point out I sound like Billie Joe Armstrong and they

say they can hear the influence in my music, haha!

Finally, what advice would you give to a band / artists just starting up?

Tough question, I'd honestly say if you're just starting out focus on doing what you enjoy. You're

never going to want to get anywhere, never mind get anywhere if you aren't enjoying it. Secondly,

gig. Gig as much as you can, everywhere and anywhere. Just gig and make sure you're enjoying

it and that'll give you a strong idea of if you want to and if you are going anywhere.

Review conducted by Cai Dixon.

#CharlesHibberd #Interview #Review #INDEPENDANTARTIST #INDIE #POPPUNK