“I am a singer-songwriter at my most exposed”
Emerging into the spotlight this year, Childe has quickly defined himself as a captivating modern storyteller, performing through the lens of pop music. His debut album, Stoned & Supremely Confident, which features the standout singles Smoke and Mirrors and Better Friends, has made a splash on the scene. This limited edition digital pressing of the album has garnered exciting underground-fuelled success, marking a notable achievement for both the artist and the ADHD charity set to benefit from a portion of the album’s proceeds. Earning acclaim from distinguished publications, discerning editors, and a global audience of listeners, Childe’s deeply personal album masterfully weaves themes of discomfort and pain into a melancholic tapestry of beauty. We caught up with the artist to discuss his work, creative identity and goals for both his future career and future self.
Childe, could you share the inspiration behind your latest album or single and the themes you explore in your music?
I’m talking about over-medication of mental illness and the effects of that on my family life, then on another story, I am talking about loving someone so much that you would die for them. There’s also one about a super-villain (metaphor) trying to kill all the creativity in the world and another about a mushroom trip and reconnecting to your roots. It’s a mixed bag.
I’d say! How did you first get into music, and what drew you to pursue a career from this initial passion?
Music was always around in my house when I was growing up, it wasn’t really a choice. I was in a grunge band when I was 13 but I didn’t write the songs, then around 14 I started writing my own and that’s when it all changed for me. I will always be a songwriter. The career path is a sickness/ego trip.
Your music fuses with the surrounding culture (fashion and art, for example). What influences and artists have shaped your unique sound?
If someone can make you feel something just by seeing a photo they’ve taken, hearing the noise they make or seeing the way they move their body, that’s incredible. That is literally a transfer of energy through creation. I love voices like Tracy Chapman where you can feel what she sings. There’s a dancer called Denis Chernykh who’s incredible, every movement is unexpected but assuring. Also, a poet called Caleb Femi writes beautiful words.
Are there any artists you dream of working with in the future?
So many. Lana, Tracy, Blake Mills, Conor Oberst…
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far, and in making this album, and what did you learn from it?
My best career moment is every time I meet someone who connects with the songs. The writing was very enjoyable, and I did that from my studio at home. But the recording process was actually very stressful- of course, that is where I learned the most, that I need to celebrate my strengths and the fewer parts the better.
How do you see your music evolving in the coming years? Are there any new directions or experiments you’d like to explore?
I am a singer-songwriter at my most exposed. So that’s where I think I will want to end up…
What are your goals, on a more personal level?
Be in the moment.
Words by Grace Powell
Images courtesy of the artist
