UK-based lofi hip-hop artist Confidential blends classical influences with old-school hip-hop production and an exploration of mental health issues to reflect his individualism and feeling of being an outsider. After years of playing all over the country in hard rock and alternative metal bands, the guitarist, real name George Wakerley, changed direction completely to become a solo artist. His debut album, Sometime Tomorrow, arrived in July 2020 through a joint venture between AEC Music and Sound Noir, followed by Recovery later that year and Memories in 2021.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
What made you want to become a musician?
When I was 12, my mum showed me this old British comedy series from the 1980s called The Young Ones. They used to have bands playing on each episode, like Motorhead and Dexys Midnight Runners, but the one that blew me away was Madness, when they played House of Fun and Our House. That sparked this huge interest for me, where I wanted to be like them. I was lucky enough to find myself in a positive environment, where people like my cousin, who's a saxophonist; and my guitar teacher managed to nurture my interest enough for me to get serious about being a musician.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I always thought I'd be a dirt bike racer when growing up. That was my original passion, and I still sometimes ride, though I'm currently recovering from a broken hand and shoulder. I love adrenaline, so I'll do anything that'll give me that spike, whether it's mountain biking, bouldering, basketball or BMX. Outside of that, I'm a bit of a foodie and enjoy cooking, which always surprises people. I've recently started getting into video games, a little bit, but I only upgraded to a PS3 in March 2020, so I'm really behind with the times!
Your latest song is 'Slipping Away'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I think it was just unusual for me to be singing, to be honest with you. Slipping Away was the second original track I ever recorded, and I only started singing last October. It was a huge learning process, especially on the recording side, where I would do 2-3 lines at a time. There's probably about 100 takes of each line, as I was trying to find my voice and the best way to deliver each line. I love that kind of thing, so even though it took about a month just to record one song, it was really fun.
When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?
My wife is almost always the first person I speak to. She used to do a bit of choir singing when she was a kid, but the main thing is that she has a really good ear and a lot of common sense. She'll be able to hear things that I haven't noticed, which is of huge help to me and I'm grateful for the hours she spent sat listening to me sing a single line over-and-over. I've also got a really good relationship with my old guitar and singing teachers, and I'll turn to them for advice often. It was actually my guitar teacher who encouraged me to release Slipping Away as my first single. Lastly, a big shoutout to Adrian from AEC Music who's been of huge help to me and provided a lot of guidance over the past 2 years. I'm always sending him music for feedback.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I've been working in digital marketing since graduating from university and I enjoy it a lot. I thought it was important for me to try and work a job that would benefit my music career. Marketing is incredibly important for success in music. I mean, even this interview is marketing.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
My favourite part is being creative: I love being able to express myself and the process of writing music is a lot of fun. I'm always trying to push my own boundaries. My least favourite part is the expense: another artist in Brighton once called it "an expensive habit" and he was exactly right: it's like a drug and I can't get enough of making music. I don't come from a rich family or have any financial support from a label or anything like that. I'm completely on my own, so the whole process of recording, mixing and releasing music is being funded by me. It's tough, but rewarding.
What’s your scariest experience?
I was 17 and riding my dirt bike. I came up short on this big jump and broke my left wrist really badly. There was severe nerve damage and my hand was paralysed for a while: as an aspiring guitarist, it was beyond scary to think I'd ruined my career before it had even started in that one moment. The doctors didn't think I'd be able to properly move my fingers again, but I worked hard with a lot of physio and was able to get enough movement and feeling back to be able to play guitar. I still don't have full movement or feeling in that hand, but it doesn't get in the way.
What are you focussing on right now?
Right now, I'm focusing on trying to make myself busy for the second half of this year: I've got a collaboration release with an amazing singer-songwriter named Lu'Ami coming out on July 22nd, which I'm really excited about. Then on August 10th I've got an instrumental release coming out via Lifted LoFi Records, and it'll be my first release through a label. I've got a few other releases I want to put out this year, but I'm still deciding when and what. September and November, hopefully.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I'd like to see more development out there for new artists. There's a lot of focus on 'going viral' and social media following, but if you don't know how to market yourself you're going to struggle. It's safer for a record label to release music from an artist who already has a major following, because that success is almost guaranteed. But I feel like there's a lot of talent our there who get ignored because they don't have that following and I'd love to one day be able to provide the opportunity for them to develop and build a following.
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?
I just want to keep growing as an artist. Simple as that.