Hartlepool’s James Leonard Hewitson has just released his brand new single, ‘Deader’, so Lee Allcock caught up with him to find out more about the track, its meaning, and to find out what it was like working with Butterfly Effect Records.
You’ve just released your new single. For those of our readers who haven’t heard it yet, what can they expect both sonically and lyrically?
It’s called ‘Deader’. It is a fuzzy indie-pop song with about four chords in it and a chorus that you’ll know after the first go through. It’s hopefully your next lo-fi summer banger! It’s kind of about genericism, privilege and not really utilizing yourself as much as you can, presented through how I have felt about myself in the past.
Why is it important that people don’t hide behind, as you put it, the ‘screen of their computer’?
That particular verse is poking fun at some generic character traits in myself. I have the university education, the social media addiction (which is what I’m referring to via ‘the screen of my computer’), the default frustration with the establishment and the obsession with trends like going for coffee or whatever – they are not my ideas but I have attached them to myself frequently, so much to the point where I identify with them and then have used them to make a recording that will, in some ways, define my character for a little bit of time. Maybe I had to get that out of me, or just note it so I can look at it and be like “yeah, that’s where I’m at…Why?”. Maybe that answers the question, I don’t know. We’re all novels, we’re all our own Netflix show – it’s good to read ourselves.
What was it like working with local record label, Butterfly Effect, on the vinyl release? Did they give you any advice?
Stephen and Rob are two top quality dudes and I’m elated that they’ve given me a platform to get this music out. It’s very encouraging for me as an artist and I believe that is advisory in itself. I’m very thankful.
Why do you feel that vinyl sales are still increasing, year on year, whilst CD sales are plummeting?
The process of vinyl mastering, manufacturing, distribution and listening is more intricate and exclusive than that of what is required for a CD, so if it were to be a choice between the two I’d personally option the vinyl as it is an exclusive product, whereas you could just stream the digital version (the version which would be on CD) on Spotify or another digital platform. I think fans want the good stuff these days, in the age of too much information, and I would say vinyl is part of the good stuff.
And finally, what do you have planned for the rest of the year?
I have a string of North East dates throughout July in support of this single, then further plans for the release of more singles and an album will be implemented soon – you can expect to have something substantial from me before the year is up.
James Leonard Hewitson heads to Pop Recs in Sunderland, Voodoo Café in Darlington, The Georgian Theatre in Stockton and more this month. For further information, and to purchase the new single, head to jamesleonardhewitson.com now.
