Suffolk, Indie Pop/Rock artist Connor Adams hit the new decade running with his biggest headline show to date at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on January 31st.
Adams’ ability to intercept your attention with his potent imagery lyrics provokes admiration. The song comes alive with Guitar Hero-worthy riffs, spine-tingling melodies and notable stadium moments. ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’ is a runaway train that’s being taken to the peak of the rollercoaster, to then vertically drop into insanity.
What are some of your earliest memories of music?
As a kid I remember we’d always do really long car journeys, travelling to see aunties & uncles. At the time it felt like we were travelling to Mordor, but that’s just my overdramatic 7-year-old memory for you.
To pass the time we’d listen to records, going around clockwise in the car (we were particular like that) we’d all get our chance to play our favourite album. Dad’s choice didn’t budge much from Foo Fighters and Bryan Adams. Mum would be blasting Shania Twain, which I’ll happily admit was hard not to sing along to. Then my brother and sister would pretty much listen to whatever was big at the time, I remember my brother was a high Eminem fan. So we’d always rap along trying to keep and stay in time, not having a clue what half the lyrics meant.
Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?
I’ve never been very good and talking to people when I’ve got an issue. So a lot of the time the way I talk/deal with problems is through putting pen to paper. The actual writing process usually starts with a lyric that’s been sitting in my notes for a while, then I’ll pick up my acoustic guitar and develop melodies.
Writing my latest single ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’ was a different approach for me. I went into the writing session with the mindset that I was writing for another artist. This forced me to go outside of my comfort zone and create something that really stood out. Once I knew that I couldn’t give this away, I directed the song back to me through the choice of instrumentation.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?
I adore both, but the feeling that I get on stage is indescribable. A friend of mine called Matt Shepherd told me that a song isn’t finished until you play it live, so I tend to try new songs out at shows just to feed off the crowd. I remember playing ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’ for the first time at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds. That really was a moment I’ll never forget.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
So I supported The Darkness on their UK tour in 2018. There was one show in particular at Guildford Live where the crowd really stood out. Playing the title track of my debut EP “Open My Eyes” to thousands of people, having them sing back the chorus is something I’ll never forget.
I just released a documentary called ‘Connor Adams – Who Am I’ on YouTube. This runs you through the journey I’ve had so far, it also involves some clips from that tour. Check it out if you get the chance.
If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?
Nice question – Erm, well I guess it would be whatever I’m jamming to at the moment. Unless I could just loop ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’ all day? But I think that may get a bit tedious for the listeners haha!
All I know is that I’d throw a lot of live lounge styled shows, I love hearing artists do their own take on other artist’s songs. I heard James Bay cover ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ the other day, his arrangement was beautiful.
Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show
KT Tunstall – Wax
Sam Fender – Hypersonic Missiles
Harry Styles – Fine Line
The Amazons – Future Dust
Ed Sheehan – Multiply
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
Of course, I’m striving to be the biggest artist in the world, I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t my goal.
I don’t know if there will ever be a point where I’ll sit back and say ‘That’s it, there’s nothing more I want to do here’. I’m my own worst critic in that way, always looking for bigger and better. Whether that’d playing a bigger venue, or selling more records – I guess there isn’t a limit.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
Go enjoy my brand new single ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’. It feels great to have a snippet of what’s to come out for the world. Thank you for the support, it truly does mean so much. CA x
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