A Conversation With Seb Lowe
Seb Lowe is a rising musical artist and performer from Oldham near Manchester, UK. Known for his acoustic guitar skills and politically charged lyrics Lowe has quickly become one of the UK’s biggest and fastest rising artists.
With mainstage appearances at festivals like Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury and TRNSMT this coming summer, Seb Lowe is taking the UK music scene by storm!
NSGs Billy Vitch had a chat with Seb to find out more about his music, life and meteoritic rise in the music rise to become what has been described as a “teenage sensation armed with poetic anger”
Billy: Good morning Seb and how are you, what have you been doing today, and how’s that going?
Seb: Not too bad mate. Today I’ve been writing some new music. It’s not very structured yet but think the lyrics are pretty decent. It tells the story of someone who is completely washed out by the monotony of life – to the point where every single experience compiles into the same feeling of numbness. At the same time, it’s got this unique Britishness; a depressingly competitive workplace, emotional repression, drinking culture & rain. There’s something demoralising about rain. No matter what your life looks like, every British person can relate to how rain makes everything a bit worse. The song doesn’t have a title yet. It might never see the light of day, but I really enjoy just writing for myself when I get the time. After that, I edited some videos. Now I’m getting ready to go to the pub for my uncle’s 50th.
Billy: Where did you grow up and what was it like?
Seb: I grew up in Saddleworth, Oldham, here in the UK, It’s nice, countrysidey & not too far from town (Manchester). I’ve lived there all my life. Moved around a few times but always nearby. I’ve had a load of great experiences growing up in Oldham. One that really sticks out to me is Oldham Theatre Workshop. It’s basically a theatre group I went to as a kid, who I still work with from time to time & have a great relationship with. I don’t think I’ll ever shut up about the place. It takes nearly full responsibility for my addiction to all things arts. Places like that are so important. The education system doesn’t do much to inspire creativity, so it’s good to have somewhere that does. My parents are also pretty music-obsessed, so they inevitably had a hand in that too.
Billy: How did your music journey begin?
Seb: I think I got my first guitar when I was about 10. It’s still sat in my room. There was a lad at primary school who I remember played a blue guitar, everyone would surround him at break time like he was the messiah; I thought he was dead cool. My dad played a bit too, so I basically begged my mum and dad for a guitar (which I imagine they regretted as I gave up after about a month and didn’t touch a guitar again until I was 14).
I always sang and enjoyed it. I loved music too. I vividly remember listening to ‘Bring It On Home’ by Led Zeppelin on a car journey one time and having this epiphany as to how music could make you feel. ‘Stairway To Heaven’ did that too. I had no idea what it was about the song, I just knew that when the guitar solo kicked in it made me want to run as fast as I could – which became a bit of a morning ritual on my walk to school. It wasn’t until I joined Oldham Theatre Workshop that I began to connect music with lyricism and storytelling. I don’t read books, I know I probably should, but I struggle to get into them. I’ve always loved movies though, and writing things. I used to write stories & poems. Being pretty obsessed with visual art, I’d create these little universes with writings and drawings. When – for some reason, I can’t fully remember – I decided to pick up the guitar again, it became quite obvious to connect the writings to the music. I played in a couple of bands at school, & I started to write the odd song, from semi-alright to absolutely awful.
During COVID – with not a lot to do, and an inability to engage fully with online college assignments – I started to spend all my time writing songs. I must’ve written nearly a 100, a few of which made up the first EP’s I’d eventually release. I had friends and family urging me to post the songs somewhere. Still not over the teenage mindset geared more towards avoiding social embarrassment than anything else, it took me some time to put my music out. Eventually, I downloaded TikTok, & much more quickly than I’d have ever expected, the songs gained traction. Since then, things started to get a bit serious; managers became interested; I took a gap year; I did my first gig (I was really, really bad). At some point we brought a band into the picture – Ben, Joel, Sam & Kate. It changed pretty much everything. They are absolutely masterful. & now we’re seeing it through.
Billy: You write and sing about a lot of social issues, social justice and injustices and about a lot of the issues politically that are currently going on in the world. Can I ask you, why do you feel so drawn and compelled to write about these issues as much as you are, as opposed to just being another rock star writing about love or just sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll?
Seb: It’s hard to describe why. When I first sat down to write a song I felt geared in that direction. Maybe it’s the fact my parents have always ensured I was aware of what was going on in the world. I think COVID did a lot for everyone in that sense. For like 2-3 years straight the whole country had their eyes fixed on the government. They had lives in their hands. So it would track that when I began to write more & more songs that’s what it would be about. I wouldn’t say I felt I had this spirited obligation to make a massive difference, but rather I wrote about what I saw, and what pissed me off. There’s a lot of emotions to draw from politics. It can be sad, angry, or even funny at times. I think I have more of an idea about the power of music now. I understand the importance of using your platform for what you believe in. Which, most of the time, is likely not love, drugs & sex.
(Seb Lowe)
Billy: We are a Liverpool-based publication, so we’re practically neighbours! I was wondering, do you think it’s harder to break out as an artist from the North than it is for artists from the South, and if so, why is that? As a Northerner, what do you think sets us apart, socially and musically from our Southern cousins?
Seb: I think there are a lot of intersectional things which could make it harder for someone to break into the music industry. One of those things is indeed being Northern. There are no Northern major record labels, and sometimes there can be a stigma towards Northern guitar bands. Places like Manchester, Liverpool & Newcastle are historically centres of musical exploration and advancement, so it’s sad to see that so often Northern acts have this wall built around them so that they remain nothing more than a ‘Northern act’. Social media is beginning to change that. With all of their faults, apps like TikTok & Instagram are purely meritocratic. If people relate to, enjoy, or even hate a song, said song will gain more reach – across the UK and even globally. This is true no matter where the artist hails from.
Slightly different to the South, the North has a real musical identity. Manchester had the 90s, The Hacienda, Factory Records and Liverpool had the likes of The Beatles. Some brilliant music has come from the South – but with a few exceptions – it doesn’t have the same ‘identity’ that goes with it. This is to the aid and detriment of a lot of Northern bands. Often their city will support them so much that become purely associated with their city. Kind of Gatekept.
Billy: What made you want to be a musician as opposed to any other career? If you hadn’t become an artist, what other career path do you think you’d have followed?
Seb: Originally I wanted to go to Uni to do History & English. I always sort of enjoyed essay subjects at school, so that was my initial plan. I didn’t get into the Uni I wanted, so I took a gap year to reapply. The whole music thing was just a hobby that got completely out of control. I ended up missing my deadline to reapply because music stuff was getting so busy. There’s an unfair amount of luck that the thing I love most in the world has become my job. I really love cooking. And not just in a casual way. I’m like obsessed with cooking. So I think if this all fails I might try to be a chef. Fingers crossed that never happens. But it could be fun.
Billy: The UK is in a right mess of late and I feel the youth, politically and socially are being left behind and without a voice. What do you think are some of the key issues the youth face in general, and what, if anything do you think needs to change?
Seb: We don’t exactly live in a world of equal opportunity. A lot of the right-wing will work to convince you that a country in which everyone has unlimited freedom to do what they want & work for themselves is ideal. But we know from years & years of trial and error, that it never goes to plan. Unfortunately, the UK is still deeply obsessed with its aristocracy; its Kings & Queens, its black-tie dinners & its private schools. We have a serious problem of kids being more well off than other kids, with no merit to support it. The youth are brought up at odds with each other, competing in a race in which the starting lines are different. While this might never be fully fixed, we should do what we can to reduce the gap.
Unfortunately, the government does not do this. And while much of the youth are aware, and progressive, both socially & politically, much of the youth have no say in politics. So where the youth sees inequality, nothing is done about it. Where the youth sees injustices in Palestine, The Congo, Sudan, & many more, the government will not represent that. Decisions are made for a generation who do not agree with said decisions. What we can do is use our voices, protest, & spread our beliefs.
Billy: If you could sit down with three people from history, past or present, who would they be and why?
Seb: That’s a tricky one. I ought to pick some musicians. I’d probably say David Bowie and Sinead O’Connor. Both artists are hugely important to me and sadly aren’t with us anymore. So definitely them. I’d want to pick their brains a bit. I think together they’d cultivate some seriously good chat as well. Other than that, I’m not too sure. Maybe Karl Marx? Maybe Boris Johnson so I can ask him what on earth goes through his head. It would make for quite an awkward group of people though. I’m a bit of a History geek too; it would be interesting to sit down with Leonardo Da Vinci or someone. Sounds like he was an actual genius.
Billy: It looks like it is set to be a busy summer for you and we hear that you are going to be playing at Leeds Festival in August, (personally we can not wait to see you live, as we’ll be there too!) What are you most looking forward to about playing Leeds?
Seb: It’s hard to put into words what I’m most looking forward to. I think there’ll be that surreal feeling you get when you go somewhere, or see something up close that you’ve only ever thought about or looked at from a distance. I went to the Leeds festival after I finished my GCSEs. It’s all a bit of a blur, but what I do remember is watching Billie Eilish on the main stage and trying to imagine how she felt. We’ll be there this year. Mind boggling.
Billy: Name three artists that you’re listening to now, that you think we need to hear.
Seb: There’s an American bloke called Jesse Welles. I’ve just recently discovered him on TikTok. I was first drawn to him by his Bob Dylan-esque lyrically intense folk music. ‘War Isn’t Murder’ is a brilliant song for current times. Beyond that, he’s got about five different Spotify accounts, all journeying across different genres. One of them is this ’70s stadium rock thing. Listen to ‘Seventeen’ by Welles, or anything from the ‘Red Trees and White Trashes’ album.
I watched ‘The Staves‘ live recently. They have some really beautiful music. Gorgeous harmonies. Their recent album is top. I’d highly recommend the title track ‘All Now’. It’s pretty euphoric. Live it was tenfold. I can’t not mention ‘The Guest List‘. They’re another Manchester act, & they’ve supported us a couple of times. Beyond being really nice lads, they also have some brilliant songs. They’re currently on the release train so I’d keep an eye out. ‘161’ is a cracker.
Billy: What makes a good song and who, if anyone has influenced you as an artist?
Seb: It’s hard to pick apart influences, as you’re sort of influenced by everything. Conversation, theatre, and other musicians; it all played a role.
It’s even harder to say what makes a good song. It’s so subjective. There are too many good songs out there to count them, and I don’t think anyones an expert. A general rule would be that if you’ve written a song, and you like it, chances are someone out there will like it too. And often the problem is less about how ‘good’ the song is, as it is about finding your audience. When you do music, you make it your job to sift through as much music as you can. So even if you don’t particularly like a song, you have to force yourself to appreciate what’s ‘good’ about it, especially if said song has gained reception. As an artist, it never feels like you’re making stuff up out of thin air. Anything you create is a consequence of the external inputs that influence it. So it’s less that you’re creating art as you are finding and picking apart what already exists. Songs can therefore never really be objectively ‘good’ or ‘bad’; they’re just a product of their times.
Billy: How is the rest of 2024 looking for you?
Seb: It’s looking absolutely mental. As mentioned, we’ve got main stage Reading & Leeds; we’ve got Glastonbury Festival, Blossoms Big Bank Holiday Weekend, TRNSMT Festival; just tons of festivals. We have a headline tour lined up in October, the last one sort of altered my brain chemistry, so I imagine this one will too. We’re doing Ireland, which will be our first time headlining outside the UK – something which completely baffles me. Beyond that, we’re always in the studio recording, so expect new music. No matter how many incredible, difficult-to-process touring experiences we have, making music will always be at the forefront for me. It’s what started it, and it’s what I enjoy the most.
I think by the time winter hits I’m gonna need to give my head a wobble, sit in a dark room for a few hours and ask myself ‘What just happened?’
Billy: Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Seb: Thanks Billy, it’s been good to go through it all. Sitting down & looking back at everything that’s happened, it still makes no sense where we’re at. Wild.
I’d just like to give a massive shout out to the band really. I wouldn’t be here without them. They bring the music to a whole different level. Before them, it was like I was alone in a box on a stage too big for me, with not much of an idea of how to move, play & sing at the same time. We can now explore tons of different musical avenues. It’s affected the way I write. All of it really. So yeah, massive thanks to them.
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