-Should people use the platform they have to raise awareness of issues?
Definitely. I think if you've got 5 or two minutes in someone's ear…it's time not to be wasted. You need to put something positive across.
I'm not saying every piece of music has to be a deep message. We're not deep thinkers 24/7. Sometimes you want to have a laugh, talk about love, stuff like that. You can't have it so saturated with just that.
We're not drinking, at clubs or with women 24/7. Why say that? Why only push that? Something needs to be a bit more positive and people need to walk away from music learning something.
-Moving back to your release The Travelling Man, why did you decide to give it away?
Just to get music to the people, that was it. At the time, I was sitting on so much music, which I still am now. I had nothing out at the time, you know.
I had a couple of old mixtapes that I'd done when I was 15 or 16, but I hadn't done anything since then properly. Nothing like a solid body of work that people could have on their iPods or their computers.
I thought that giving it away for free what the best way of doing it. You didn't have to any money. If you didn't have a computer, a friend could do it and give it you on a CD. I just wanted to get the music to the people, and let them have something of me.
-Do you think the way the business is going is a good thing, or hurting the value of music?
I'm not sure about hurting the value of the music. People downloading and ripping music, I don't know if that's devaluing music. It's a shame, because I'm a big fan of records, vinyl. I like buying something, having a body of work and appreciating it.
When I was a kid, I'd save up money for three weeks to get the new record out. Because I lived in Ireland, I'd have to pre-order certain ones if they were underground English grime records. It was a big moment when the CD shop would ring up and say 'yeah, we've got your new record'.
I'd get my mum or my father to drive me down and we'd get the CDs. Maybe, in a way, that has devalued music, but I think the music itself, mainstream wise, is devaluing it. The way the person is more of a product that the music is.
Remember, we gave out music for free the minute the first instrument was created. We never got someone to pay to listen to us, we did it for free. When it started off, no-one got paid to do it. It's everyone’s own opinion on it.
At the end of the day, you can't expect people to live off nothing. You have to survive. I suppose it's everyone's own opinion, but it definitely is an issue.
-You mentioned your mixtapes when you were a teenager. Did you imagine then that you'd get to where you are now, with the festivals you're playing this summer?
I always dreamed about it. I'm very critical on my music as it is, but...I always had a subconscious believe and faith in what I could do. I always had that idea from when I was 8 or 9 that if I knew my limitations, and my capabilities, I could do whatever I want.
I don't profess to be the best singer in the world. Some people might hate my voice. I don't profess to be the best guitar player in the world. Some people might think I'm terrible when they hear me.
If I can get around that and know what I'm actually good at, I always felt like I could do whatever I wanted. I always had a certain belief, but I think it was subconscious more than an egotistical arogant thing. I just always believed it would happen at some point, if I kept pushing myself.
-Moving to your debut album, are you exciting to get it out?
Yeah, of course. I've been sitting on some of the tunes for years. Some are brand new. I just want people to hear it, I like getting music out. If we could survive off grass and water, and I could pay my bills like that, I'd put it out for free.
I'm sure the record label would as well, if everyone was getting paid off air. I just want to get it out, you know? I'm looking forward to getting the music out so I can go out and play it. That's the main thing for me, going out and performing it.
-Having worked with so many artists, do you hve any collaborations planned for the album?
It's strictly a solo effort at the minute. I'm not saying there won't be maybe one or two hidden bonus tracks that might feature someone on it. I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm not going to say yes or no, but it's going to be a solo effort. I want to make my own stamp on music myself.
-Besides the album release, what do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Festivals. Literally, festival after festival. I've got Wireless tomorrow, then Irish festival the week after that. Festivals, gigs, and pushing the singles. Then, the album later on this year.
-What would you like to say to anyone reading this?
Just believe in yourself. I don't ever want to sound cheesy or say that I know everything. I don't, I never say that I do, not in any which way. I'm giving from my own ignorant perspective, my own view on things.
Only on person might read this. The rest might not like what I'm saying, and only one person might get to the end of this interview. If I can get this across to that one person, it'll be good. My father always told me when I was younger, no-one's better than you, and you're better than no-one.
If you always keep that, you'll stay humble and grounded. One thing I've always taught myself is know your limitations and capabilities. Don't put yourself down and big yourself up too much. You can always put your mind to it and achieve whatever you want.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge