25-year-old Nick Wilson is doing rather well, thank you very much.
He’s earned countless international New Music Friday playlists on Spotify, toured with Gabrielle Aplin and Dotan, and can count Demi Lovato as a fan. And now, he’s got what every musician dreams of: an interview with One on One about his new single, Enough to Know You; touring with Gabrielle Aplin; and how he’s managed to stay sane amid a national lockdown.
The last time One on One saw you, we were stood behind you at Barn on the Farm 2019 while we were waiting for a burger. How’s life been since then?
‘It’s been a really exciting year! We put an EP out just after Barn last year, and then this year I was touring the UK with Gabrielle Aplin before the tour had to be stopped because of all this COVID stuff. I’ve put out a few songs this year – but, other than that, I’ve just been writing a whole bunch and adjusting to what life is now.
What are you missing most about ‘normal’ life?
‘I think it’s just human interaction. I do like my own company, but I miss going out and talking to people. I’ve been writing over Zoom sessions, but I am missing being in a room with someone writing or being at a gig. The only faces I really see now are when I’m going to the shops to get food, so it’s definitely been the hardest thing about all this for me!
Have you been able to be creative recently?
‘I found it hard to be creative during the first month of lockdown. I like to write with other people and be collaborative. In the studio someone can have an idea that inspires a song, but I can only write songs on my own for so long. Thankfully, I’m definitely starting to get back into the swing of writing with other people and working on music that will come out later in the year; putting the finishing touches on production can be done fairly easily at home.
Your new single, Enough to Know You, is out now! What’s it about?
‘Enough to Know You is about being broken up with but realising that the time you spent with them is worth more than the bitterness and resentment of hating them for it. At its heart, it’s a song about letting go. To me, there’s just something both heart-breaking and heart-warming about that moment of clarity in moving on and being okay with it.
‘It’s the hardest thing in the world to come to terms with the fact that someone no longer wants you – but, sometimes, being able to have shared a part of your life with that person is enough to let them go.
How have you found releasing music in lockdown?
‘When all this started, no one in the music industry really had an idea of what releases would look like three months down the line, so it’s been strange for everybody. You can’t go out and promote it, so you are fully reliant on Spotify or other streaming platforms. I’ve been lucky to have a great online following so – fortunately – it’s been okay.
If you look back through your releases there seems to be this progression from Acoustic Sadboi™ to your newer, more produced stuff – how did that come about?
‘I only release music that I would listen to myself. When I started off, I only had my microphone and GarageBand, so I could only write with my guitar and myself; between that and the fact that I used to listen to a lot of acoustic music, it’s no wonder that my set-up and situation shaped a lot of my earlier sound. But now I listen to a lot more electronic and pop music, and I’m able to write with more people, which is all seeping into how I write and sound now.
How was getting out on tour with Gabrielle while you had the chance?
‘I lucked out, really. Because I was doing it solo, I was invited onto the tour bus, so I was hanging out with her, her band, and the entire crew a lot. They were all so welcoming and made me feel at home on tour. It’s been pushed back to next March, so we’ll be picking up again where we left off.
What’s your dream venue?
‘I’d love to headline some places I’ve already played, like OMEARA in London. I’m also getting to play at Shepherds Bush Empire next year on the Gabrielle Aplin tour, which I’m so excited for! I’d love to play the Barrowlands in Glasgow as well.
You get an unlimited budget to curate your dream festival. Who would your headliners be?
‘Right now, it would have to be Phoebe Bridgers, LANY, and John Mayer. I’m a huge fan of John’s, so he has to be there at all costs.