After originally making his mark as an integral member of London-based synth-pop group Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, artist and producer Alex Starling has since begun focusing on his solo material, and now returns with his sensational new single ‘Tunnelling For Villains’.
Bringing back more of that broad and shimmering aesthetic that he has carved out for himself, ‘Tunnelling For Villians’ marks one of his more euphoric and dazzling offerings of late. Keeping production light but atmospheric at every turn, we see him in a more uplifting light, channelling the soaring tones of acts like The War On Drugs as he goes.
So with his latest single available to stream now, we had a quick chat with him to find out more about his new material and what he has in store for us in the future.
Words by Chris Bound
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Chris) Hi Alex, how are you today?
Alex) Hello. I’m ok ish. The guitarist from the band got married yesterday so I’m a bit shaky to be honest.
For those that haven’t heard of you yet, how would you best describe your sound and who have been your biggest influences so far?
I love folk music and country songs but I also have a background playing synths in bands. I think my sound has elements of both. My biggest influences are Bob Dylan and the Scarface soundtrack.
You were also best known as a member of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Can you tell us what you have been up to since then and now?
I was in a band called The Ghosts. We played all over the world. Got record deals in places like Canada and Russia. We toured Russia and played a huge festival in Vladivostok. We also toured the Baltic countries. After that I started writing for some other artists, which was great, but the release process was so slow that I decided I wanted to write for myself again so I could have a bit more control.
You have just released your new single ‘Tunnelling For Villains’. Can you tell us how that song came about? Is there a story behind it?
I wrote it in The Breakout Cafe opposite Pentonville prison. The window looks out onto the prison and as you sit there looking out you can see the visitors coming and going. We used to talk about a tunnel to the cafe and something about it reminded me of those old 1950’s black comedy films like The Ladykillers.
How would you say it compares to your previous releases?
I was asked to write The Ghosts album as a project. It became a band but in a way it was similar to writing for other artists, it felt like I was writing for someone else. Tunnelling For Villains feels a bit more me lyrically and musically and it definitely wasn’t written as a single. It’s five minutes long and it surprises me that it’s getting radio play.
And can we expect an EP or even an album from you in the near future?
The plan was an album but recording got delayed and with that the sound may have changed a little so I’m still figuring things out what I’d like to do. I may put another single out in a month's time. We’ll see. I’m in no rush.
The coronavirus outbreak has obviously affected everyone’s plans, but what have you got in store for the rest of the year?
Recording mainly. I’ve had enough of recording from home and I’d like to get in a studio with some musicians and a producer. If things ease off a little I may start playing shows again but recording is my priority.
And finally, what is the biggest dream you hope to achieve as an artist?
I’d just like to be able to go on tour whenever I want with a small band and make a living playing everywhere.