With a breadth of bold and enticing releases emerging over the last year, London-based singer and songwriter Brian Grogan recently returned to deliver his latest slice of fried gold ‘Runny Nose’.
Originally written between late 2017 and early 2018, ‘Runny Nose’ takes the seasonal annoyance of a winter’s cold and transforms it into a beautifully rich and sweeping pop-rock groove. Filled with soaring harmonies and vibrant production, this almost comes across like something Alt-J could have written.
So with the new single impressing us throughout, we sat down with him to find out more about his background, his latest work, and what he has planned for the future.
Words by Chris Bound
Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Chris) Hi Brian, how are you today?
Brian) I’m good. Feeling cautiously optimistic about 2021.
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 guess my sound is pop folk though there are hints of other sub genres in the melting pot that is “my sound”.
My biggest influences to date are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, Damien Rice, Alain de Botton, Bo Burnham and Bon Iver.
Do you remember what the first song was that made you want to start a career in music?
Hmmmmm no not really. My first taste of performing live and thoroughly enjoying it was as a drummer (in a covers band called Burnt Toast) back in my hometown in Ireland. There was one song that probably had the biggest impact on me. That song was ‘Don’t Forget Me’ by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It didn’t necessarily make me want to start a career in music. It did however make me want to chase that feeling of playing live and see where it leads.
And what has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
I’d say probably meeting all the musicians I’ve collaborated with either on stage or in the studio. To them, I am eternally grateful. Oh also quitting my full time job as a soil engineer.
You have just released your new single ‘Runny Nose’. Can you tell us how that track came about? Is there a story behind it?
It was written in the winter of 2017/2018 about the least talked about sexually transmitted sickness, the common cold. I was dating a girl at the time and she passed it my way. It ruined my Christmas but I got a song out of it so hey ho.
And was there a particular style you were looking for when you wrote it?
I never really write with a particular style in mind. I had however just discovered American funk group Vulfpeck and was very much obsessed. The song started as a guitar riff on my Mums half sized acoustic guitar. The guitar had a nice percussive sound, which made me particularly curious about the strumming pattern. The rest just came like any other song, from thin air.
Can we expect a new EP, or even an album from you in the near future?
Yep, releasing EP number two ‘Rookie Mistakes’ in February! Keep your ear to the digital ground.
The coronavirus outbreak has obviously affected everyone’s plans, but what have you got in store for the coming months?
Just started work on EP number three so that’s exciting for me. So hopefully some recording in the near future as well as keeping the songwriting tap flowing.
And finally, what is the best piece of musical advice you have ever been given?
Don’t be afraid to write a bad song.