The Merseyside singer-songwriter discusses moving through the world as a creative during the pandemic.
Over the last year during the pandemic the music industry has been largely impacted, but what are the impacts on aspiring young musicians eager to make their way into the industry? With no live performances many musicians have used online platforms to their advantage with virtual performances. As well as having to promote their music solely online on music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
21-year-old singer-songwriter, Ollie Felton, who performs within the trio "The Graphic" sharedwith us his experiences and thoughts. Ollie performs alongside, Matthew Hassall and Liam Locke with the group forming in 2016 when Ollie and Matthew met on a bus ride home from college.
In the years that have followed, The Graphic has expanded with singer-songwriter Liam joining. The trio perform both original songs and covers across Merseyside, and have gained themselves a local following on Instagram.
The group flex their talent for indie, rock melodies and smooth guitar solos on debut EP, "The Big I Am" which is available on all music streaming platforms. Released in March, it's no surprise tunes "The Big I Am" and "Testify The Lies" are fan favourites across the Wirral Peninsula with its thriving pop and rock music scene producing the likes of Miles Kane and The Coral. Lyrics such as "Everything is beautiful upon reflection” show the groups creative ability for songwriting and embody a powerful perspective. If you haven't listened to them yet, then go check them out.
We met up with lead singer and co-founder of the group, Ollie, at his local quarry in Irby where he comes to sing and play guitar due to it being so peaceful and away from "everything else in life". Ollie spoke of the importance of music to him "Music allows me to be something else, somebody else even. It allows me to step into other peoples shoes and allows me to wear different masks."
Ollie states he has been writing music for over five years and often posts both original songs and covers on social-media. With his main musical influence's being the likes of Prince, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Stereophonics, Lorde and The Beatles. "I was inspired to start making music because I get such a buzz from creating that there is no better feeling in my life" he states. Ollie describes the music that he creates as being very natural: "I write on an acoustic guitar and when I find a few chords I like a melody will then present itself. It’s very organic, truthful, optimistic and hopeful".
Despite his talented ability for creating music, Ollie says he doesn't like to identify himself as a songwriter or musician and instead states that music is "just what i do".
Speaking of the ups and downs of moving through the world as a creative during the pandemic, Ollie tells us "I think it has been hard for all creative people, especially within the performing arts. Human interaction is key for music because it’s a medium that has its best impact live. Through a screen it is very easy for people to not take much notice, but when you hear a good tune live you can’t help but stop and acknowledge it. For me personally it’s had a very positive effect on my writing and on my overall confidence for the future".
As for his plans for the future in a post-pandemic world? OIlie said "I don’t really have any set plans, all I know is that I want to be playing live as much as possible and entertaining as regular as I can. I hope to one day play Anfield, that’s the goal".
You can listen to The Graphic's debut EP released on March 3rd here.
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