Aaron Keylock is an up and coming UK musician with his own style of 70s classic rock sound and look, and is about to release his debut album. Tomatrax caught up with Aaron to asked a few questions.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I think it was growing up listening to a good range of music that just spoke to me. It was something that I always thought was cool and I always wanted to do it.
When did you write your first song?
I started writing straight away I always loved writing I've always seen it as another way to express myself. I guess I was about 15 when I was first happy with my songs.
You are just about to release your debut album, what's it like to have it finished?
Yeah it's cool. I've had the songs for so long it feels good to be getting them out there. I'm really happy with the album and the songs on the record. It's another new experience for me too which is exciting!
You've already received a lot of critical acclaim for your music, does that make you feel any pressure going forward?
No not really. I never think about any of that stuff really. For me nothing's changed since playing gigs all over the country at 13 or whatever. I'm still making music I like and saying what I want to say and that's all it is really. As soon as you think too much about it or try to change yourself to sell records or get good press that's what kills inspiration and makes things harder. If I tried to make myself something I'm not on this album and threw loads of tricks in there I'd probably be feeling the pressure. But because I went in there and did what I do and didn't think about it too much it's just a natural picture of who I am.
Where did the title Cut against the grain come from?
Well it's a song from the album and it just made sense to use as the title. It was the message a lot of the songs had in them and it was where I was in my life when I wrote a lot of the songs so i guess it just made sense to use it.
What was the inspiration behind the album's front cover?
Well again it's just capturing me through the art and I always liked album covers like Disraeli Gears by Cream and I think it captures a lot of different feelings as well. I mean I just liked it I didn't try and do anything clever I just thought it looked cool.
When writing what comes first, the words or the music?
Mainly the words. I may have a little riff that I record on my phone which I come back to. But I usually have a feeling or an idea of what I'm trying to say.
Do you ever listen to your own music?
Well that was the thing when I made the record. The main thing was that I was proud of it and that I could listen to it at home. But when you're playing the songs every night for a few months I guess that's when you listen to them most!
What other music do you listen to?
I listen to anything that's honest and real really! I love bands like Black Sabbath and ACDC but then I love Johnny Winter, Peter Green, Free, Tom Petty, Rolling Stones. I got into things like Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leon Russell, Grateful Dead and Little Feat. So I listen to a lot of different stuff. I'm always looking for new stuff that turns me on!
What do you have planned once the album is out?
Well I just wanna get out there and play as much as I can! That's what I love, just getting up on stage and letting loose! Then hopefully I'll make another record!
