Chapman is a singer/songwriter from London.
I remember my sister had vinyl copies of the 'Red' and 'Blue' Beatles compilations 1962-1966 and 1967-1970 and at a very young age putting them on (or probably someone put them on for me) and listening to the songs while looking at the inside of the gatefold sleeve where The Beatles are seemingly incognito in a crowd against an iron fence. Obviously the irony of that shot was lost on me as they were never really able to be incognito, but the music certainly permeated my soul!1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?
2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?
David Ackles, Scott Walker, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Paul Weller, Cat Stevens, Midlake, Wild Beasts, Bill Callahan. I've also really been getting into some classic Acid House tracks recently - so it's a pretty wide variety.
3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?
I recorded my first solo album 'Unexploded Bombshell' completely alone in a small studio that I set up in the front room of my one bedroom flat. It was a very personal record recorded after the death of my father. When one of the tracks was picked up by BBC Radio and I heard it played for the first time it was really emotional. After years of working with/or relying on other people to create, this was something I'd done myself in my front room and here it was on national radio.
4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?
Maybe once upon a time it was a more potent weapon for change, unfortunately the world society has been flooded by cynicism and we've lost our idealism. Much of the music that is mass marketed to us isn't going to change the world (whatever that might mean) but as I've already said that doesn't stop it being a powerful drug for many people.
A pair of Adidas Superstars
5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?
Technology has always affected the music industry from making it, selling it, to listening whether we are talking about the move from wax cylinders to vinyl records or the rise of the mp3. However, there is no doubt that the last ten years we have seen advances in technology causing a major upheaval.
It's now easier to record, release, promote and sell without the traditional structure of a major label. I can record an album in my own studio, and securedigital distribution relatively cheaply. The growth in social media has given musicians access to an audience that would previously have been difficult to reach. Digital formats have made all music more accessible. It's a double edged sword though the growth of filesharing means that it's harder to make money from music unless you are prepared to tour constantly. As a young father with a young daughter - I don't want to be on the road constantly as she grows up. That is why every independent musician has to be innovative and search constantly for new ways of doing everything, it's not enough to just make an album anymore...that's why I decided to release three at once!
6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?
Check out the three different versions of the same song. He released three albums at the same time, with different versions of all the songs.
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