“The soul, it definitely comes from that place, so in that aspect yes, I am a soul artist, maybe a left field soul artist. (laughs)”

Pieces of work like this could be a signal of a welcomed change in the industry. New to it all,  JP Cooper explained to RESPECT that “Everything changed for me in a year.” We caught up with  JP right off the success of a groundbreaking year. We caught up with  JP right off the success of a groundbreaking year. During our hour long interview he makes mention of the word “success” once. A subtle indication that the pressure most artists feel to be successful is replaced with pure passion in his case. That passion shines through on his EP with tracks like “Satellite” that premiered via Interview Magazine, “Closer” a heart-wrenching track about relationship strains of a working parent and his child and “Raised under Grey Skies”  a story of love, loss and longing that completely requires the listener to share his emotions.
When did you begin making music and at what point did you decide to go all the way with it?

JP: I didn’t have a very musical upbringing. In my teens the Manchester scene was very vibrant. I fell in love with music and I was part of this very bad band. (laughs) I just stuck with it. It was just something inside of me that couldn’t let go. I’ve gotten to a place where I’m truly expressing myself. Really it is amazing to be able to wake up and just go for it.

Your lyrics are very personal as well as intimate. The music gives a glimpse of your life and who you are, as a writer do you ever feel uncomfortable sharing such heavy stuff?

JP: Yes, it can be uncomfortable not so much for myself, but the people my songs are about. I am still learning to be brave with it. My goal is to get to a place inside myself where I am completely dropping my guard. It’s always hard when you know it will affect someone you love.

Take me back to last year, before the deal. How has everything changed since becoming signed?

JP: I got signed in the middle of 2014. The place where I am now compared to last year is so different. I have my son when I’m home and not on the road working. So I was a single parent working in a bar. I couldn’t afford my own place so we were living in a shared a house. It wasn’t even heated (laughs). I was trying to gig, write and be a dad with no real security. This year I’m signed, so good to be here. This is the beginning of something I hoped for.

Hip-hop influences any upcoming collaborations?

Drake, Mos def, Gnarles Barkley. Andre 3000, ‘The love Below’ was one of the most exciting things I had ever heard when it came out. Hip-hop pushes the boundaries more than any other genre of music. I find so many similarities in where I came from and Hip-hop. The way I was raised wasn’t gangster (laughs) but it was hard.  I find it similar in the way you can find a sense of pride in it all. Strength really doesn’t come from winning but when you lose and you have to get back up. When it’s just me and my guitar on stage I carry all my experiences with me. I stay connected to that. I can’t wait to get into that world more, I see it as a creative challenge.

What can we expect from you this year?  Tour?

I dream big but I still appreciate the small stuff so I will be doing a lot of what I have already been doing, working hard. I’m not a young kid anymore so I’m not here for the lifestyle. Whatever comes, I know I’ll be ready. I will be touring and I will be performing at SXSW this year. I know I will be in New York and LA this year, hopefully Atlanta too.

Can we look for the album to debut in 2015?

The album should be out the end of 2015. Right now it’s not so much about figuring out when as to what kind of album I will make. I really want to just connect with more people within the industry. My view of the industry before I was signed was way different than what it actually turned out to be. I have been pleasantly surprised or I am naïve. (laughs) Excited to see what will come of all this. Oh, and of course, some element of commercial success too. So I will see you in America.

Stream the When The Darkness Comes EP here and pre-order here.

The post Exclusive Interview: JP Cooper Talks Struggle, Success and New EP ‘When the Darkness Comes’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

This is one of those soulful artist that make it impossible to forget him after the first listen. Island Records new signee. JP Cooper, recently released his first single “When the Darkness Comes” from his forthcoming EP of the same title.  JP Cooper has been creating quite a buzz since releasing his earlier EP, Keep the Quiet Out. The UK native singer and songwriter is a rare combination soulful melodies and soul shaking lyrics. This new single is true to his incredible storytelling capabilities. JP Cooper has spent 2014 in sold out tours around the UK and made a couple stops in New York and Los Angeles. His highly anticipated EP ‘When The Darkness Comes’  is to be released in January 2015, available for pre order here.

The EP also features the beautiful track “Satellite” which premiered via Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine. Check out his acoustic performance below.

The post New Music: JP COOPER – “When the Darkness Comes” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.