London based singer & songwriter Fergus writes songs according to his mood, often choosing to embrace the melancholy, and through it finding a place of healing, beauty, and serenity.
What does your music say about you?
It’s very personal, not just the lyrics but the way it sounds. It’s sad and soulful, hopeful – but often tentatively so. It’s my whole life experience wrapped up and, at the same time, unravelling why I am the way that I am. Misunderstood and hard to crack because it’s purely different.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
Creating something out of nothing, and taking it every step of the way from a spark of an idea to a fully realised piece of art. Each song could turn out a million different ways with each direction taken and decision made, which I find fascinating.
How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it?
It’s very rare I start with a vocal melody. I almost always start with guitar, either with something I’m hearing in my head or just by playing until I stumble onto something that sounds really nice. I’ll work on that for a while to find the sequences and structures that feel right to me, and original. Then comes the challenge of finding a vocal melody that not only fits but elevates the whole thing. Sometimes it can very difficult when the guitar part already has its own character and intricate movement – you want to compliment it, but the vocals need to be the shining star.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Sharon Van Etten. She’s my favourite artist and I think it would be a great show!
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?
Regular live shows in London and some others dotted around the country. My debut album will be out in 4 months or so!
What is the most useless talent you have?
Random lines from films just stick in my head. I’m bad at names, but film quotes I’ve got handy.
Which fictional character do you wish was real?
I wish daemons were real, from His Dark Materials. I think it’s such a beautiful idea!
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
A ventriloquist, with a Toothless teddy as my dummy.
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Dragons!
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Paul Giamatti. I’m not sure exactly how that would work, but he’s my favourite actor and is so amazing at that kind of exasperated comedy, which seems to follow me around!
Fergus released his new single Flatline January 28. Released via Goldun Egg Records and co-produced by FERGUS and Jake Gosling, ‘Flatline’ follows previous singles ‘More Than I Deserve’ (rel 19.11.21) ‘All I Dream’ (rel 03.09.21) and ‘Leave Me Light’ (rel 25.06.21) and is the fourth single taken from FERGUS’ debut album set for release in 2022.
Fergus said about the track:“‘Flatline’ is a reassuring hug when you’ve fallen down, and a gentle pep talk. It’s about acknowledging and accepting your situation for what it is, and not pretending anymore that everything is fine. Instead of thinking about rock bottom, imagine all that is now possible and celebrate all these feelings as a rite of passage.”