Listen to the track, exclusively on MILKY! We caught up with the musician himself to chat about the track and so much more.
Image: Supplied.
Alt-rocker Edward Sansom is gearing up to drop his new single, Suck It Up. If you can’t wait to give the track a spin, listen to the song right here on MILKY before its release!
Written in 2019, the track navigates feelings of isolation and escapism, something experienced worldwide during last years COVID-19 pandemic. Sansom's commanding vocals take centre stage throughout the track, building to a anthemic chorus that will light a fire in you. The electric track is made complete with dark melodies, riotous instrumentation and highly charged lyricism.
Born and raised in Brighton, Sansom has spent the last few years honing in on his signature sound, arriving at his own distinct realm of alt-rock. Throughout his career, the musician has taken to the stage at iconic festivals including Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Camden Rocks.
Listen to the track and read our interview with Edward Sansom.
Could you tell us a bit about your background in music and what led you to pursuing a career in music?
I picked up a guitar when I was about 11 years old and formed a band at school. I gigged loads in my hometown of Brighton and figured as I loved creating and performing I should not stop doing it. I let music take over my life and have had some real highs and lows chasing a full time career in it.
Your new single Suck It Up navigates feelings of isolation and escapism, especially within a digital world. How important was it for you to document these themes on the track?
I didn’t set out to create this intentionally. It’s just something that happened for this song. I remember the feeling of isolation seeping in. Must have been a Brexit related feeling and perhaps just generally looking at the bigger picture of society losing real eye contact and living life online. Just had a look and I wrote this song in 2019, so for me, this is reflective of the time.
The song was written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost foreshadowing what was to come. What messages do you hope listeners take away from the track?
I don’t want to get spooky, but someone I know thinks he can predict the future so I just ask him!... Ha! only kidding - I didn’t ask him, but he does think he can predict the future....
I just hope listeners can feel something from the music I make. Like they are not alone in going through whatever it is. For this song I think what I am trying to say is, find power to live in the moment and reconnect with the ‘real world’. We’ve all now felt isolated and this song was me kicking the door down to the outside world. It can be yours to do that too.
How did you arrive at the style of music and sonics we hear on the track?
I would probably call the style of this song alt-rock with a pop chorus. I think what has happened is I have become more and more angular, silently frustrated, impatient in my pursuit of my life goals. I sit down with a distortion pedal and some mad effects and let it out sonically. Catharsis.
How did the song evolve and change throughout its creation?
This song actually had another section which was carved out. I realised I was already trying to say too much in just one song. Something I am guilty of. Overthinking is a trait I am trying to put to bed.
What’s one line from the track you find at times could be stuck in your head? Or a line that you come back to?
The lyric: “queuing up for the mirror maze with the rats in the race”. I vividly remember writing this and thinking I am competing against myself to produce the best music I can, in this moment right now. Finding my way through some potentially negative thoughts to win at this song. In hindsight the song sounds like a bit of a mind battle. “Do or Die tonight” emphasising that!
If Suck It Up was a piece of pre-exisiting visual art, what piece would it be and why?
A serrated knife. Because it cuts a thick loaf.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process when writing and recording?
Sure! Each song is discovered through different means. For this one in particular, I remember I had my guitar plugged into some noisy distortion and had the amp super loud. I was just in my bedroom, attacking my guitar and singing random words over it. I noticed there was something not so random coming out and wrote down the lyrics. Once I had created the skeleton of the song and recorded a rough iPhone demo, I recorded a demo onto my computer to play around with synth sounds and build a structure. Then I spent the next year carving it down like a sculpture and uncovering it to my band mates and engineer. I do like to give a song some air before I release it to the world to make sure I still like it. COVID-19 came along though and kinda sucked all the air out the world so the process took longer.
The UK has a diverse and vibrant music scene, who are some of your favourite local acts?
In my hometown of Brighton, off the top of my head I follow: Tigercub, Black Honey, MarthaGunn, arxx, Fable. I also produce for an electronic artist called SABRINA so I guess I would be a little bias in saying she’s pretty cool.
What can we expect from you for the rest of 2021? Will we be seeing an album or EP, and if so what can listeners expect from it?
If I had the money then I would say an album. Alas, I’ll go with an EP. I’ve got the songs, it’s just music ain't a cheap sport. I produce all of my own material but like to have someone else have a look at the painting as I’m probably standing too close. There’s another three singles ready that are dropping before the years out so definitely watch this space. The next one to release is definitely a party tune so I might do a little dance for that visual.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Bowie. QOTSA. Radiohead. AM. St Vincent.
Dream collaboration? Dead: Bowie. Alive: Thom Yorke.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
This answer always changes: I’m gonna go with; Radiohead - OK Computer. Airbag was the first song my sister taught me on a nylon stringed guitar. So that one brings back personal memories.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words? Angular. Bold. Raw.
Best song of 2021 so far?
Ohhh, I think Wolf Alice are killing it at the moment. Wolf Alice - Smile.
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be? 28 days later. Genius writing that I’d love to go up against.
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus? Miley.
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
Either Foals - Holy Fire or / Everything Everything - Get to Heaven.
First concert you went to? Athlete touring Vehicles and Animals.
Best concert you have been to? Blur at Glastonbury 2009.
First album you ever bought? I think it must have been Nirvana - Nevermind. I remember my mate and I rocking out in front of the mirrors to it.
Would you rather be a Spice Girl or a Backstreet Boy? Spice Girl. Obviously.
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
Milky Spice?! Ha! Wet Spice. Cos’ i like being in the sea….
Guilty music pleasure? Something 80s. Lets go with... Owner of a Lonely Heart by YES.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
Foals.
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry. David Bowie…. and art, and fashion, and everything...
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Finish that song in your head and stop overthinking every detail and let it just happen the way it’s meant to.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
When I held a guitar and realised I could affect the way people feel.
Thanks for the chat guys. Keep an eye out for the music video for Suck It Up.