We had a chat with Man With a Corduroy Heart about his charming new EP Weirdos and found out how it came together
With the release of his affable and personality-filled new EP Weirdos, rising UK artist Man With a Corduroy Heart explores some of the little intricacies and things that often go unspoken in life, the little victories we experience and unique quirks that make people different. These little nuances make for a unique listening experience but one that feels unmistakably human and real, making for an engrossing ride that is packed full of charm throughout.
This vision is brought to life through the artist’s laid-back folky pop sound and the wealth of adventurous creativity that he employs throughout these tracks, delving into genres like rock and roll, jazz, country, and indie pop along the way. Amidst all of the little oddities and observations, there is a real sense of heart and soul that ties these tracks together and feels intrinsically powerful throughout, and it makes for some truly moving moments. We love this collection of tracks and the compelling way that they unfold, and had a chat with the man behind the music to find out a bit more about it and how it came to life.
Hey! We love your new album Weirdos, what more can you tell us about it?
I can, but I’m a bit scared because I’m not very cool like everyone else here on Clout. I like to write about the daft but bittersweet things in life. I guess it’s all in the realms of folk, country, jazz and rock and roll. The opening track is about the small joy of my partner going away for the weekend and finally having the house to myself to do whatever I please. There’s a track about exploring what drives some English men to wear cowboy boots. There are two songs about being in debt. Oh and there’s a track about dating a South American woman but being more interested in her mother’s cooking. I guess it’s all a bit odd, hence the name “Weirdos”.
What was the process like putting it together?
A nightmare really, as I recorded and mixed it myself. I know a lot of artists do that these days but by day I’m actually a mixing and mastering engineer for other artists! Which means you’d think I’d be good at it, but working on my own stuff I find insanely difficult because I’m too close to it. But I’m also too close to it to let someone else mix it. It’s not healthy!
Some of the tracks started out as little rhymes I would make up trying to get my baby to sleep. “Mrs Mariana” started out that way where I came up with the chorus while rocking them to sleep.
What were your biggest influences when creating it?
I think my influences are the need to run away and live in a hole in the forest so I don’t have to be near modern life. I also quite like Paul McCartney, Loudon Wainwright and John Cooper Clarke.
How do you think that it compares and differs from your debut full length Things Are A Little Bit…?
My first album was recorded in a more DIY style and I recorded it very quickly and quietly because I had a newborn baby whom I was either not trying to wake or whose nappy I needed to change! This album I took a bit more time on and has a more modern production to it. I really wanted the lyrics to be heard clearer in this album.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
I will probably play a couple of festivals this summer but I probably won’t play that many because I can’t be bothered to send 50 emails and get no replies – hopefully it’s because they’re already booked and not because they think I’m naff. I’m currently recording a song called “Good Looking People Got It Easy” – It’s possibly inspired by all the other artists here on Clout. Other than that I’ll be mixing music for other artists while also trying to be a good parent.
