Meet Collard, the daring musician making waves with his evocative soul

First up is his mesmerising return single, ‘Warrior Cry’, the first glimpse of a diverse debut album set to shake things up in music for real. Born and raised in England, Collard first stepped into the spotlight at just 17 as a member of the collective Last Night in Paris (heralded as the UK’s answer to Odd Future), who took to the Glastonbury stage and made waves with their playful sound. Now, he’s headed on a new journey, finding power in a sensual, soulful and spiritual place. Bringing out ‘Sofa’ – an emotional story of a partner’s overdose – and ‘Ode’ – an homage to Prince – the sharp young talent is back with an ever-captivating style and a refreshingly unique concept. Having just released the bewitching visuals for his new single (scroll down to watch), we meet Collard to find out how he evolved to the distinctive artist he is fast becoming…

Do you remember the moment you fell in love with music?

I do remember one pivotal moment, I was watching Sister Act 2 and the choir part happened. They’re singing ‘Happy Days’ and this kid does a high note, and I was like to my dad, I want to be him. At 5 or 6 I would write little lyrics or rhymes, and carried on since. I remember wanting to be seen singing like that guy in Sister Act 2. 

How has this project evolved over the time?

I think in the beginning it was by accident, I was in LA with my producer Zach [Nahome] and we were making loads of music that was all terrible. It was just music we should be making, in terms of what’s out there right now, what’s on the charts or whatever. Then we made a song which started everything off, I went from my R&B centred self and be honest with myself about what genre has stayed with me, what I really care about and want to make. I was thinking more about the musicians I’ve always loved, instead of the ones that are popping. We developed from that one song – which funnily enough isn’t even on the album now – it was a battle definitely in terms of going to new extremes. ‘Hell Song’ for example was a song that was so out there, that I was like we can’t have that on because it’s too vulnerable. Zach said if it’s you, if it comes from a real place, it should be there – and now it’s the first song on the album. It’s been a journey.

Are you nervous to share it with the world?

I want it to be out now to be honest, I’m restless. (laughs) I think in the UK, my project is pretty unique so I really want to know how it’s going to be received. The masses will let you know if you’re on to something… I’m excited but nervousness is there of course.

Where were you drawing influence from when creating the new album?

60s, 70s and 80s… A lot of Janis Joplin, a lot of James Brown, a lot of Prince, a lot of Pink Floyd and a lot of Led Zeppelin. Heritage and impactful stadium music: artists that owned a decade. People that were conceived as epic, I’m trying to make music that will stand the test of time.

Has the changing socio-political climate affected what you’ve been writing?

I think so definitely. Because of the resistance, there’s a lot more freedom to create what you want to create, there are no rules anymore. There’s no blueprint of what an artist should make. At the other end of it though, we’re fed so much today, it’s hard to know what’s true and what’s good. I look at music for example like food, what you put in your body is what it becomes, and so I think music should be spiritual and full of meaning. It’s nutrition. Being such a consumer society, you have to be careful what you take in: you are what you consume.

Do you feel like social media has changed the game too?

Yeah, I think social media has meant we can choose what we put out there. You shape your brand, you shape how people see you. The only problem with that is if you don’t have the product at the same time, social media can dress people up to be something they’re not. I don’t think that it’s too much of a problem if you’re authentic, and as a musician if you deliver the image you’re presenting with a solid musical product that’s all good. So I do enjoy it, there’s so many avenues for people with it, they can showcase talents you don’t always get to see.

How did you find yourself a part of Last Night in Paris?

They reached out when I was about 15/16, and they were doing something new in the UK. We were just vibing, bouncing off each other. I was in it for a good 3 years and we made some weird stuff. Stuff that hadn’t really been seen before here…

And why did you decide to pursue a solo career?

I met my producer Zach Nahome through Last Night in Paris, and in the first few weeks of meeting we just clicked, we were so hungry to make music and be a part of it. We wanted to take it to the next level with whatever we were doing, and we had evolved within ourselves to develop a new sound that didn’t make sense as a collective. We no longer represented each other, I wasn’t an important clog at that time. I was finding my own vision.

Do you feel like there’s an obligation for music to mean something?

Yeah definitely. Music is art, it needs to be perceived as that and it needs to be that. Music is one of the oldest entertainment forces in human history, so I think it’s important to make lasting powerful music. If the message is real, full of honesty – even if it’s not about you – it’s got to come from a meaningful place. Music is contagious, it can make people to crazy things, do great things.

Do you think it can cause social change?

Oh yeah. I think every big social change through the past century has been spearheaded with music. Your Madonna’s, your Prince’s, your James Brown’s, they’ve been a part of movements. Whether the psychedelic movement, when suddenly everyone was doing drugs, or artists speaking out about racial segregation. People like Nina Simone try and help people free themselves by openly singing about political situations, freeing the shackles with the help of music.

Does it feel like a positive time to be making music?

It’s hard, it’s very sad out there. But I think that it’s a good time in some ways because people have time for self reflection, we are becoming more self aware and are learning to speak up. I mean I want to delete Twitter some days because of the consistency of bad news, but sometimes out of bad comes good – you sink into a place that makes you create and explore yourself.

What do you think is next for you?

I’m not sure, I’m just excited to see where I end up… You never know who you’re going to touch, who you’re going to reach. Maybe creating a Woodstock vibe, playing a stadium tour… We’ll see, my drive is maybe bigger than my talent. (laughs) We’ll see…

Collard’s debut album is set for release in April 2019 via Lost Ones/ Virgin EMI. “Warrior Cry” is out now, press play on the video below and follow Collard on Instagram here.