Inspired #154 - Darragh Chaplin
South London based singer-songwriter Darragh Chaplin returns with his heartfelt 80s influenced alt-pop anthem, ‘Bad Habit’ and we took a moment to talk to him about some of the things that inspire him.
Who are some of your top musical inspirations and why?
I would have to say Justin Vernon. The guy has got to be one of the best lyricists around and everything he does always seems to be driven by so much emotion. Every project he touches turns to gold, from Bon Iver to collaborations with James Blake and Taylor Swift (also, Folklore, can we take a minute to appreciate how good that album is!!), a true once in a generation talent I think!
I would also say that I find a lot of my friends super inspiring! I’m very lucky to be surrounded by very talented people – it’s a blessing and a curse because they’re all so good at what they do that I’m often like “wow I wish I could do that”! But it’s good to have people like that around you I think because they really drive you to push yourself and make the best music you can.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
Ooo that’s a toughie, honestly my attention span is so short I struggle to sit down and watch a film for two hours haha!
It’s not a film so I’m kind of cheating, but the Netflix series “Sex Education” is just unreal. The characters feel so real and the show does so much to represent real problems that people go through. It reminds me that everyone has their own backstory – you never know what someone else is going through so it inspires me to do my best to take time to listen to someone else’s situation and approach everything with sensitivity and understanding.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
I’m obviously very biased but I do love London. I’ve always lived near London and now living in South London for just coming up a year it’s just proven how amazing this city is to me! There are so many cultures around to learn from and experience and you meet so many different types of people. They always find a way to inspire me in different ways, whether that’s with their outlook on life, their talent or something else.
Also, the music venues are just the best. Crowds in London are always so attentive and really want to listen to you when your performing. It’s the best city for finding new music in my opinion, there’s always something going on so it’s impossible to have a boring night. (Obviously this is all before the virus that shall not be named came along and ruined everything!!)
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I honestly could not tie it down to one person, there are so many people that inspire me for so many different reasons. I’m inspired by friends of mine for their passion and drive, I’m inspired by people who speak out for what they believe in and use their platform for good, I’m inspired by my family who constantly remind me what it is to be selfless and caring. Although, my love for Justin Vernon does come extremely close to taking the top spot haha!
What were your inspirations when writing Bad Habit?
I wanted to write a song about what it feels like to suppress your emotions but being overcome and unable to hold it in any longer. I look at artists such as Troye Sivan, L Devine and Olly Alexander, along with many others, and see how channel their identity through their art in the most honest way. Artists who put their hearts on their sleeves and allow themselves to be vulnerable inspire me and I wanted to do that with this track.
How would you like to inspire people?
Wow, cue the existential crisis haha! I try to be as authentic as I can be so I would want to inspire people to stand up for what they believe in and stay true to themselves regardless of what others might think or say. I think the most important thing is to be content within your own identity and if that means you lose people who don’t agree with who you are, then… BYE (you deserve better anyway x)!
Interview by Karla Harris