Artist Of The Week #172 - Joel Culpepper
This week’s Artist of the Week is South-East London’s Joel Culpepper, who has just released his debut album ‘Sgt Culpepper’, which provides one of the most exciting new approaches to soul through Joel’s charismatic storytelling and unique voice. While taking influences from some of music’s greats, this concept album will lay down the path for Joel to join them on the top of that mountain. He took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey Joel, how are you? So your album is out now, how does it feel to have it out there?
It’s nice to let go. Let go and share thoughts and feelings I’ve had for some time. It’s no longer mine to hold, it’s for someone else to own.
It is called ‘Sgt Culpepper’ - is there a meaning behind that? Any reference to the Beatles?
Absolutely. Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is widely known as one of the first concept records. We definitely followed that blueprint. A story and world built.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
The record was recorded in several places around the UK. Predominately in Shiplake - Henley upon Thames, a studio called Doghouse. We stayed there and brought musicians in, we did it properly. I actually fell ill the first day of recording through eating a dodgy pie the night before. I couldn’t believe the timing weirdly made me feel even more determined.
It has taken you two years to write this album, why has it taken this long? Are you a perfectionist?
I think all musicians are perfectionists in their own way, I definitely like to present things with the right intention and meaning. The word album just felt like a massive deal to me, still does. I wanted to approach it by completely putting the art first which takes time.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
The themes throughout the record is 4 chapters. 4 sides to the same person: The Battle, The Surrender, The Love and The Lesson. The influences vary from Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly to Stevie Wonder’s “Songs In The Key Of Life” ; those two records achieve the same things to me. Identify being foremost.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
I think favourite lyric on the album is a simple one. The song Break has an outro “We don’t have to break baby, we can live in harmony” feels like in recent times it’s becoming more relevant and important.
There are a number of collaborations on this album, including the likes of Tom Misch, Kay Young and more. What did they bring to the tracks?
I think they all brought out a side to me. We present versions of ourselves to different people for various reasons. We’re so layered. All the collaborations were organic yet the results earthed something new but very much me.
Music has been a part of your life since a young child, what have been your fondest childhood memories when it comes to music? What music surrounded you?
I think watching my mum at the top of the stairs listening to her vinyls is pretty nostalgic.She loved Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross. Growing up in church was another real foundation for me, singers… really good ones, I was exposed to from young.
After you finished college, you headed to America, what made you head there? And what made you return back to the UK?
Probably watching P Diddy’s Making The Band too much lol I was convinced America would get my music and hustling my demo on the streets of Brooklyn to Manhattan would spark my career. It did, it made me realise how serious I was taking music. The UK just became a natural step to try and make an impact on home turf.
Now the album is out there, what next for you?
Working on the second record. I’ve got a team I really trust and access to the right individuals to help me deliver. Feel like I’m just getting started.