GEORGE EVE Releases 'GATES' from his upcoming EP | We Talk Integrity, Lockdown & Career Ambitions
George Eve’s early independent tracks such as ‘My Girl’ and ‘One Track Mind’ gave the young singer-songwriter his first airplay, which included support from Jack Saunders at Radio 1 and BBC introducing. Those two tracks saw George’s talent nurtured by influential collaborators such as Ben Baptie (Rex Orange County, London Grammar) and Benjamin Miller (Julia Michaels, Anna of the North).
Having established the first wave of positive attention, George Eve is now set to pick up the pace as he today shares his brand new single ‘Gates’, coming out on the newly formed record label, Everybody’s Music, born out of the management company home to artists such as Jack Garratt and Keane. It’s the first track to preview his upcoming debut EP which will follow later this Spring.
In a subtle stylistic shift from his previous releases, ‘Gates’ is a light-hearted indie-pop shuffle with the kind of feel-good summer energy that can engage pop fans and festival audiences alike. Although the song is predominantly acoustic, George keeps propelling its vibrant energy, first with rousing brass and then with the enlivening group vocals that bring its final hook to an uplifting conclusion.
The song was written last spring when George was experiencing a rush of creativity that resulted in him penning a new song almost every day. He wrote and produced the song himself before Sam Duckworth helped the track achieve its full potential. Best known for his enduring solo alias Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Duckworth has also collaborated with Lily Allen and Shy FX.
‘Gates’ is released alongside an official video, which George filmed and edited when the lockdown was loosened last October. He took to the streets of London armed with just his iPhone to capture snippets of what life is like in lockdown, as well as uplifting shots of being reunited with family and friends. It also features some subtle music references, including street art of Amy Winehouse in Ladbroke Grove and the original Rough Trade record store.
Calling on influences as diverse as Gorillaz, The Black Keys, Avicii and Post Malone, George Eve’s music spans everything from alt-pop to indie rock via more intimate singer-songwriter confessionals. The London-based artist’s recent evolution will be further expressed within his forthcoming EP.
You gained support from Radio 1 and BBC introducing before being signed do you think this helped you secure a record deal?
I guess so! But who really knows how labels make their decisions!
Could you tell us about the latest song Gates, what inspired it and what was the process behind it?
It was inspired by embracing the change going on all around. The song and melody came very quickly,
then I drafted through lots of different versions over quite a long time. So many cool instrumental hooks
and melodies worked on Gates, it took a long time to pick the right ones. I had to be kind of clinical!
Filming and editing the video yourself on your i-phone when lockdown restrictions were loosened last October. Capturing uplifting shots of being reunited with family and friends. It also features some subtle music references, including street art of AmyWinehouse in Ladbroke Grove and the original Rough Trade record store. What was the significance of including this in your music video?
I grew up in London at a great time for music. It was when Amy Winehouse, NME and live guitar music
was thriving. I remember Rough Trade was a hallowed institution at that time, they had signed The
Strokes and The Libertines in the early 2000s and everyone was watching who or what they would sign
next. I was formed by that era of indie/rock music that exploded with Amy Winehouse and Rough Trade.
My music tries to be a conversation between that time and more contemporary artists/sounds.
Everything about Gates, the video included, is about honesty. I couldn’t not put those behemoth
references in the video. They mean so much to me because they meant so much to the culture at the
time I fell in love with music.
What is your favourite lyric you’ve written to date?
I wrote some great lyrics for a song I wrote over the summer that’s not released yet. But on gates, I like
the lyric: ‘I keep waiting on one day/That I can taste but I can’t see/it’s like a month of Sunday’s/where
me and you can run freely’ - it reminds me exactly of how it feels to be in young, broke and in love.
What do you think sets your music apart?
Integrity I hope.
How did the lockdowns impact you and how have you adapted to the situation since covid?
The lockdowns have impacted everyone’s life massively, they’ve slowed everything almost to a stop. I’ve
adapted by working on improving my mental health and my relationship with myself, it’s an area I can
grow in that no one can stop.
What is the most memorable or funny experience you’ve had to date on your music journey?
When I first got money from a label I used it to rent a hut in Joshua Tree, which is in the desert in America. I
wanted to do something memorable. So I flew out there with all my equipment and lived on my own in
this hut making music and starting fires at night. It was radical, I was like the guy from into the wild.
What are your career ambitions?
I’d love to play at Glastonbury.
Who would you most like to tour with?
I’d love to tour with Haim.
Do you have any pets?
Nope, but my sis has a dog who I’m tight with!
Who are you listening to right now?
Queens of the Stone Age mainly, I love Haim‘s new album - I like Rostam’s production.
What are you working on at the moment?
Working on the live show for this EP and its great to play with other musicians, we’re also playing through
some songs I wrote over the summer and that’s great.
What are your top 3 food destinations in London?
Any greasy spoon. There are lots of good burger places but they’re all chains now - they didn’t use to be!
Ummm, a kebab on your way home!
What has been your favourite travel destination so far and where else would you like to go once travel
is permitted?
I backpacked around the Greek islands. That was incredible. I would love to go back.
Your best life hack?
Weed... lol or no. Maybe my electric toothbrush.
Who are your biggest influences music-wise?
Bands mostly, I love ‘The Band’ and Leonard Cohen.
What’s your go-to Karaoke song?
Tequila - The Champs
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Interview by John Burbidge