Hide Away
CHRIS DALEY is a modern-day artist who exists at the crossroads between the emotive power of soul music and the strut and swagger of rock and roll. These are the essential qualities that this indie and alternative British troubadour harnesses with the release of his latest single ‘Hide Away’, a powerful anthem that follows in the footsteps of such songwriting greats as Simon Fowler, Paul Weller, and Noel Gallagher. This is the heritage that Chris taps into with a glorious and unrelenting abandon. ‘Hide Away’ provides the perfect continuation of this singer-songwriter’s timeless work with The Theme and paints a vividly bright picture for a solo future. Taking a break from his current live schedule, Chris sat down with Aldora Britain Records to chat about his life in story and song so far. We discussed the lasting impact of the COVID pandemic, formative creative memories, his approach to songwriting and songcraft, and much, much more. That exclusive in-depth conversation is published here in full for the very first time. If you enjoy this content, please consider making a small, magazine-sized donation at the following link:
https://paypal.me/aldorabritainrecords. Thank you!
Aldora Britain Records: Hello Chris, how are you? I am excited
to be talking with such a fantastic artist from down in London. It
is amazing how music can bring us together. Let’s start off by
travelling back in time. What are some of your earliest musical
memories and what was it that first pushed you towards
pursuing this passion of yours?
Chris Daley: My first introduction to music was through my
mum, I remember as a kid mum would have her records
on. She was a Mod back in the 60s. There was Mod, Northern
soul, Motown being played and I fell in love with the sound. My
dad also had a pub in the Eastend and would have bands on
each weekend. There was also a lodger who lived at the pub, he
was from Manchester and he introduced me to Oasis, The
Verve, Charlatans, Shed Seven, Pulp, Suede, Blur, and Paul
Weller and The Jam. I was eleven and that was it for me then, I
knew what I wanted to do. I fell in love with music even more, picked up the guitar, and started learning my
craft. Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft, Noel Gallagher, Neil Young were my music idols.
Aldora Britain Records: And now, let’s take a leap forward to your time with The Theme. That band definitely achieved some pretty special things! How did your collaboration with Paul come to be? How did you meet the other members and what was the initial spark that brought you all together on a creative and musical level?
Chris Daley: The Theme was such a special time in my life. It all started when lead guitarist Pete, former member
and rhythm guitarist Darren Cade, and the legend and frontman Gary Davis came to see me at a gig in a Greenwich pub called The Mitre back in 2016. I then fell in love with the band. I went to their shows on many occasions. I was introduced to Paul at a Theme gig. Paul and I had very similar musical tastes and we would converse over our favourite songs and we then become great mates. Myself, Paul, and the drummer Martin decided to start a band called The Highs not long after that. We penned down a few tunes but it was when Gary
decided to leave the band and I was catapulted to frontman of The Theme. Paul is one of the greatest songwriters I have ever known. I loved and still love singing The Theme’s and Paul’s songs. Paul inspired me to write and I also penned down a few numbers for the band. I miss that band but like many things in life they have to come to an end. Maybe one day we'll be back.
Aldora Britain Records: Throughout your time with The Theme, and now with your solo output too, I am definitely
drawn in by your impressive songwriting and songcraft. How do you approach this part of your process? Are you
drawn to specific themes or topics? Perhaps coming from a personal, observational, or even fictional perspective or point of view?
Chris Daley: I will be honest, I was clueless on songwriting when I started out my musical career. It was working with Paul in The Theme who inspired me to write. The songs I write are from the heart and from past and present
experiences. I love sitting there with my acoustic guitar and just letting the moment take me. Ideas crop up and I'm there ready with a pen and paper making voice notes on my phone of songs. Some work, some don't, but the
process is so enjoyable and rewarding, when you hit that one tune and you're like, ‘Oi! Here we go!’
Aldora Britain Records: Let’s get more specific now. I would like to focus on your most recent release, the unstoppable ‘Hide Away’. For this track, what is the story behind the song, and can you remember the moment it came to be? Did anything in particular inspire it and what does it mean to you as the writer and performer?
Chris Daley: ‘Hide Away’ is about hiding your feelings and emotions from those we love, and not saying how you feel through our own self not wanting to be labelled as weak. I wrote this song over two years ago and at the time of writing ‘Hide Away’ I was suffering with depression and addiction to alcohol and drugs and was in a really dark
place. Looking out to the world sitting in my garden I just put all my feelings out onto paper and the words just came. Now nearly a year sober and clean I perform this song and it reminds me of those dark days and how far I’ve come.
Aldora Britain Records: When I listen to your recorded output, I always get the impression that you would be elevated to an even higher level up on the live stage. A memorable and
immersive evening of rock and roll, I am sure. What do you aim to bring to the stage as an artist, and what can a fan expect from their very first Chris Daley live show?
Chris Daley: Being onstage for me is like stepping into a new realm of being not of this world. It feels like a meditative state of euphoria and sense of being, so present in the now. I put my heart and soul into performing onstage. It's like I open my soul up like a book for the audience to read. Energy and soul, a feeling of being part of the journey connecting people
through music is my goal and what fans can expect from my shows.
Aldora Britain Records: As you well know by now, I love the Chris Daley sound and your approach to making and creating music. Alternative, rock and roll, Britpop, soul, it
is all in there and more. How would you say this style of yours came about, what goes into it for you, and who are some of your biggest influences and inspirations as an artist currently?
Chris Daley: Firstly, thank you, my mum all day long. She is my inspiration. Mum's taste was Mod, Motown, soul, and Northern soul. The vocal styles from these genres hit my soul hard and inspired me. I then went on to research other genres and musicians and love listening to new music. What goes into it for me is joy from the heart and soul that feeds out into the lyrics, vocals, and rhythm. Influences for me at the moment have to be
“The songs I write are from the heart and from past and present
experiences. I love sitting there with my acoustic guitar and just letting the
moment take me. Ideas crop up and I'm there ready with a pen and paper.”
Richard Ashcroft, both The Verve and solo, Paul Weller, both solo and The Jam, Ocean Colour Scene, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Supergrass. Also, current artist I have to say inspire me are Laurie Wright, he's incredible, Kevin Iverson, the guys genuine and so talented, and Tom McQ he is super talented and has such a beautiful soul, his music feeds your soul.
Aldora Britain Records: A broad question to finish. We have been through such a unique time in history over the last few years. Both politically and within society, and that is before you throw in the pandemic. How have the last several years impacted on you personally and as an artist? How do you think this time has changed the music industry, both for the good and the bad? I am curious to hear your insights.
Chris Daley: Yeah it's been pretty crazy, I am not one to dive into politics but I do feel all this craziness has taught society to look after number one, because we can't rely on the man in a suit in parliament. The last several years have been massive life changing experiences for me mentally, physically, and spiritually. Coming from a hopeless state of mind and body through addiction it has taught me who I am today and for that I am grateful for
the tough times as it moulded me into the artist I am today. I think it's done the music industry wonders, people in lockdown were able to sit on their own and tap into something else, something deeper, that creative gene. I know scores of people who picked up guitar, started a band or solo career, and created music. Now the pandemic is behind us the live music scene is alive with people are wanting to experience new artists and live
music. The bad side of the industry is ticket pricing for me! Snakes using the industry for their own benefit for pocket.
Quickfire Round
AB Records: Favourite artist?
Chris: Richard Ashcroft. AB Records: Favourite album? Chris: Heavy Soul, Paul
Weller. AB Records: Last album you listened to from start to finish? Chris: 66, Paul Weller.
AB Records: First
gig as an audience member?
Chris: Oasis. AB Records: Loudest gig as an audience member? Chris: Oasis,
Finsbury Park.
AB Records: Style icon?
Chris: Anton Newcombe, The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
AB Records: Favourite film?
Chris: The Boat That Rocked.
AB Records: Favourite TV show?
Chris: Only Fools and Horses.
AB Records: Favourite up and coming artist?
Chris: Monumental, great young lads with bags of talent, buzzing for their future.
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