George Ezra stayed in a cabin without electricity to work on his new album.

George Ezra

George Ezra

The 'Budapest' hitmaker famously went inter-railing around Europe to seek inspiration for his debut LP 'Wanted On Voyage' and has been on a variety of other adventures in order to shape his next LP, even though his original ideas were quashed.

He said: "I spent last January in a cottage in Cornwall, writing.

"My first plan had been to travel alone on industrial shipping between London and New York but I was talked out of it - 'The Atlantic, in January' - so I went to Cornwall instead.

"Then I did a month in Barcelona. I did Airbnb and deliberately stayed with the owner, who I didn't know.

"It was a risk, but she showed me the city.

"Then I did 10 days in a cabin in Norfolk without any electricity.

"Everyone went, 'No, think about what runs on electricity', but I booked it.

"The shower was outside. You had to wake up at 6am to get the fire going but there was something amazing about showering in a field."

And George believes his experiences cut off from friends and family helped to focus his mind more.

He explained: "I think something happens to your mind when you're away for a prolonged amount of time by yourself.

"You start to see things a little differently. Everything is more intense."

As a result of his travels, "turning off" became a big talking point in the 23-year-old star's new songs.

He told Q magazine: "One of the main topics on the record is how to get away from everything.

2I know everyone has said it, but 2016 was a really weird year, so I've written songs about turning off.

"I know as part of my job I have to go on to Twitter, it's a free way of connecting but... I know full well if it wasn't part of my job I wouldn't do it. It's suffocating."


Tagged in