19 year-old Northampton native Luke Noble has taken his own path to emerge with his unique, homespun dark rock soundscapes. New Boots listens in.
Luke Noble, how did you start this project?
So I began writing the first song for this project ‘Who Does She Think She Is?’ in my last year at college, although I never finished it until about November 2019. If it was possible I would have started making my own solo music years ago, as music has been my priority since school days, but I didn’t have access to the software and hardware to create it. So it was just all of these ideas in my head, and after a while all of these ideas just merged into what became my first five songs. I have more in the making for a second EP I’m planning to release in the winter. That’s why many of the songs on this EP represent different genres.
How would you describe your sound? Who are your main influences?
I find it really difficult to explain my sound because many of the songs have a different spin on them. So I prefer to say they’re alternative, although some of the songs are definitely ‘indie with rock elements’. An influence for WDSTSI? was Two Door Cinema Club, because I like the concept of making a melody and then putting chords and lyrics round it rather than starting with a progression. More influences for other songs like ‘I Hope I Die Before My Friends Do’ Would be XXXTENTACION for the simple instrumental element.
Tell us how the EP came together.
So, I actually recorded the whole EP in my uni dorm room on my Mac, with a cheap mic and a sock as a pop filter. I wrote, mixed, mastered and produced the entire EP, and my girlfriend made all of the artwork for it. The EP doesn’t have too much of a theme to it, it’s more just what I was feeling at the time. If I’m feeling a strong emotion, then I write it down, and make rhymes out of them. The thing with this EP is that because the lyrics are very raw, because they were what I was feeling, you can listen to a song and immediately know what it’s about, how I was feeling, etc. I feel like this EP still hasn’t given me justice, and I don’t think I’ll ever be satisfied, because I always want to make more, different, and better music. And I intend to do that for as long as I possibly can.
Have you started playing live shows yet? Does the nature of solitary work make such a thing more challenging?
So I have a big history of performing live, in college, university, and small local bands I’ve been in in the past, but I’ve never performed a show, under my name, that wasn’t put on by my college. So my show on the 29th of August at The Black Prince [which you should definitely go to btw] will be my first show when I can really just let go and perform like I do in my room in the mirror. It definitely makes it more challenge in the technical aspect, having to use a backing track and making sure there are no technical difficulties, but I’ve never had a problem playing the guitar and singing.
The Northamptonshire scene – any favourite bands and venues to give a shout out to?
I wish I was part of it, but I’ve been very to myself and not very open with my music as of late, which is why I’m very proud to finally to show everyone this EP I’ve been working on. I would love to get to know the scene and be a part of it, that’s definitely a goal for me. The only shoutouts I have is to New Boots for putting me in, and to the Roadmender for hosting my extremely poor college gigs, haha.
How has lockdown been for you? Helped or hindered your creativity?
I feel like it’s definitely hindered my creativity, because it’s kind of hindered everything for me. I don’t nearly feel as enthusiastic or myself as before, so I haven’t had the energy to put into anything really. I guess I just don’t do very well on my own. But I’ve been writing new music, just not recording any, yet!
What was the last album you bought/streamed?
I’ve been streaming a lot lately Nothing Great About Britain by slowthai, Legends Never Die by Juice WRLD, and A Grand Don’t Come For Free by The Streets [which is also one of my favourite albums]. My music taste varies from Billie Eilish to Slipknot so you could show me anything and I’ll probably like it, haha.
What is your burning desire to do in the future? What plans do you have?
Honestly I just want to make a living doing what I love. If it gets to a point where I’m touring and playing arenas then I will love it, but that will all be a bonus to me. I just wanna get by and make a living playing my music to people. I just want them to hear it and hopefully like what they hear and share it, and so on.
‘I Hope I Die Before My Friends Do’ EP is out now on all digital platforms
