Having already received huge amounts of radio play from the likes of BBC Introducing, BBC London, BBC Wales, 6Music and Amazing Radio for his bright and uplifting releases so far, Liverpool-based singer and songwriter Ali Horn has now returned to share his latest psych-pop delight 'The Waves'.
Channeling that glossy and warped early Britpop sound and blending it with some truly psychedelic additions, 'The Waves' makes for the perfect anthem as we move closer to these upcoming summer months. With a jangled and soaring aesthetic matching his own sweeping vocals, this newest gem is expected to see him grow even faster throughout the rest of the year.
So with his new single doing the rounds right now, we decided to sit down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Wow, I dunno so many, my mum sent me to learn the violin in school from a pretty early age but I definitely didn't fall in love with it and was no good at anything other than horrible scratches as I recall, But I remember going to see Itzhak Perlman play in London and it was a huge eye opener. I'd never seen anyone play any instrument that well. I'd never seen an orchestra before and it was pretty powerful. I remember sitting on the edge of my seat for the whole thing.
Fast forward 10 years to my mid teens and saving up for my first electric guitar, an Epiphone G-400 flame top. I adored it. I played it for hours on end every day and it was definitely the first instrument I fell in love with. I wrote all my first songs with it and gigged it to death. I parted ways with it when I was skint. It's still in the family though as I sold it to my pal Marina (who plays under the pseudonym UV) so I still get visitation rights.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Probably The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I was, or at least thought I was a little punk. I used to love NoFX and Bad Religion and that kind of stuff. All the Epitaph Records bands and the Fat Wreck Chords stuff too. Still love most of it to be honest.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
I've always wanted to play music, and I knew I always would but I think the moment I wanted to throw myself in the deep end and quit my job and do it full time I was listening to a lot of Blake Mills, he's a genius guitar player and has sessioned on so many great tracks so if you haven't listened to him check him out. But his solo work is sensational and he has a track called 'It'll All Work Out', I had that on repeat the week before I handed in my notice.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
At the moment the mornings are long, everything is a drawn-out process, coffee takes longer, shower takes longer, breakfast lasts a lifetime and then I'll get down to some work. So the soundtrack is usually very chill, Nick Drake or Graham Nash / CSNY, Simon & Garfunkel or Dylan. The classic folkers.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Oh all of my songs draw on real life experience emotionally but I try not to reference actual people or actual events. If I do I wrap them up and hide them in in jokes and references that probably only one person might get. For the rest of the world its a guessing game. But that's what I love about other peoples music, not reading into it and just letting my own imagination take over and whatever interpretation I take from it is fine.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
There's been some pretty good international trips of late, I went to Russia last year and played some festival shows, I went on a road trip around France last summer with my pal Barney Goodall who plays keys for me, armed only with a tent and some guitars and amps and made it work, busking in the market towns and city squares. That was one of the most rewarding trips, A real sense of freedom. We met the most amazing people that helped us on the way, and met a few not so amazing people that gave us some stories to tell. I went on a few jaunts to Hungary with my old band Strange Collective. I don't know why Hungary but they seemed to like us. I just love travelling and meeting people, playing shows are great as well but they literally take up a tiny fraction of the time so I think it's important to enjoy the ride and smile at strangers.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
I play football twice a week, 5 a side and 11 a side. It's one thing that I came back to after years of not playing. It proper sorted me out both physically and mentally, My mental health has never been the most solid thing but football gave me structure to my week and a huge boost. Its good to shake the anxiety every now and then eh? It's the one thing I'm missing the most at the moment. Itching to lace up my boots again.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I'm not quite sure. I think I was always going to be the person to put everything on the line to not have an average life. I can't think of anything worse than being unmemorable, uninspiring and comfortable. Just not for me. I'd rather be skint and fulfilled.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
God, I could use some advice myself right now. I started off being very productive and now as the money in my savings account slowly dries up and the realisation that the government support is never going to arrive and no end in sight my creativity is slipping and the black hole is opening so if anyone has any advice for me that'd be much appreciated.
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Ali Horn's new single 'The Waves' is available to stream and download now. Check out the new video for it in the player below.