Did someone order another exclusive artist interview? We at THP are here to deliver! Today, we’re highlighting English singer-songwriter Benedict Cork! He’s just released his newest album, Notes on a Hopeless Romance, last month.
Notes on a Hopeless Romance has such soulful songs and versatile sounds. Benedict shares authentic experiences with queer love and the modern dating scene. And his latest tracks easily join our playlist of empowerment and daily motivation.
We know what you’re here for, so let’s get straight to it! Here is our exclusive Benedict Cork interview as he talks all things songwriting and Notes on a Hopeless Romance.
Welcome to The Honey POP! To start off, what are three things you want current fans and new listeners to know about you?
Hey Honey POP! Hmm good question… I’m a Leo, so I love the attention. I’m also an introvert, so give me some space. But I’m also a people pleaser, so thank you SO MUCH for having me.
Notes On A Hopeless Romance
Congratulations on the release of your debut album, Notes on a Hopeless Romance! Can you talk about the creative journey for this album?
Thanks! The creative journey started about two years ago: I stood onstage at my show at Omeara in London, April 2022 and said into the microphone that I was going to make an album as a promise to myself. I felt like if I said it to the crowd, then they could hold me accountable! I spent a year writing it and compiling the songs between studio sessions in London, Nashville, and Amsterdam. Then I spent another six months or so recording it and putting all the visuals together. Now, two years later, my debut album is finished and out in the world!
What was one of your favorite memories while working on these songs?
I love playing around in the studio with my friends. It really is like a glorified adult playground. We’d fire up a song, choose some instruments and then just jam. I feel like it’s the best way of finding what naturally fits for each different mood.
My other favorite memory was playing a show at Collins Music Hall in London, October 2022. It was an “album preview show” where I tested out loads of new material for the project. We built this living room set in an empty concrete space in Islington, brought in cabaret style seating and lamps, and had the most magical night playing some of these songs for the first time. That show really informed the track listing and the shape of the album.
How has your sound for this album changed since the last one? Did you notice anything that came to you more easily this time around?
Being vulnerable in songwriting is a bit of a superpower, in my opinion. But with this album, I felt less afraid sharing that with the listeners. Before, I’d write a personal lyric and feel quite exposed. But now I just feel lucky that I get to pour my heart out into these songs and have such a loyal, kind bunch of people there waiting to embrace the music. Hopefully the sound of the album has reflected that in its fearlessness.
His Songs
Your vocals in ‘Sanctuary’ and ‘Into The Arms Of Another Love’ are just heavenly! How do you set the vibes whenever you record?
Thanks so much! ‘Sanctuary’ was actually a one-take live recording at Tape Shed Studios in South London. I wrote the song with my friends Tors. The original demo was a live recording from their studio in Devon on an old harmonium. I wanted to recreate that natural live feel for the album version. ‘Into The Arms Of Another Love’ was a little more wild! I’d been testing out that song live for almost a year before we recorded it, so by the time we laid down the final version, I was really able to get into character and let it all out.
You pre-released three songs earlier this year: ‘Reasons I Loved You (I Can’t Think Of One),’ ‘Nice Guy,’ and ‘Beauty Queen.’ And before that, you had released ‘Soulmates’ last year. How did you decide which tracks you wanted fans to hear as a peek at the full album?
I wanted to surprise people with this album. Sitting behind a piano, pouring my heart out into music is my happy place. But it’s also my comfort zone, and I wanted to challenge that. These new songs are much more fiery, upbeat, and angsty! We had so much fun playing with 80s synths and more electronic-leaning productions, so I wanted to pick the singles that would hopefully give people a taste of the whole album soundscape to come.
While we’re talking about songs, ‘God Damn’ has been our car anthem for days! Can you describe what it’s like performing it live?
Thank you. You know, I’ve been through every emotion with this song! At first, I was terrified to perform it live, because it’s a mission to sing. Then I had a session with my genius vocal coach, James Windsor, who fixed me up, sent me back to rehearsals, and now it’s one of my favorite parts of the set. I feel like I might just have entered my rock era!
Coming from a musical family and getting into music at such a young age, how would the younger version of yourself react if he could see you now?
Ahh, I hope he’d be really happy. All I ever wanted was to be a musician. As long as I can pay my rent, put some food on the table, make music, and play shows, I’m pretty content. I hope he’d be happy with how things have turned out.
Touring And What’s Next
We see you’re almost done with your UK and Europe tour for Notes on a Hopeless Romance! How has touring been?
It’s been all of the emotions. Beautiful, exhilarating, emotional, exhausting, fulfilling, challenging, and everything else in between. My favorite part of the job is the hour I get to spend on stage with my band and the people who have generously given up their evening to be there. It’s just pure joy. The other 23 hours of the day full of nerves, 4 am wake-up calls, service station lunches, and playing Tetris packing merch boxes into a hire van can f*** right off.
What has been your favorite stop so far? Do you have any cities you’d like to visit the next time you go on tour?
I hate to pick favorites, because they’re all so different. But the London and Amsterdam shows in particular were really magical on this run. Getting to play the album top to bottom with the band, the way it was originally intended to sound, has been so much fun. I’m writing this to you on a six-hour train journey from Amsterdam to Berlin for the penultimate show of the tour. I have a feeling tonight’s going to be a great one as well! Next year, I’d love to add some new cities that I’ve never played before, like Stockholm, Dublin, Lisbon, Paris, and Barcelona.
What three songs or artists do you currently have on repeat?
– Maggie Rogers – ‘The Kill’
– Joesef – ‘It’s Been A Little Heavy Lately’
– Tamzene – ‘Holding Onto You’
Can you give us any hints about your plans for the rest of the year?
The past six months have been so fulfilling, but intense too! I’m excited to take some time out over the summer and get back to writing more music. I’m heading back out on the road in September, and then I’d love to go back out to the US early next year to play some more shows. We put on my first-ever shows there this February/March, and it was the perfect way to meet new people and escape the British winter!
I just feel lucky that I get to pour my heart out into these songs and have such a loyal, kind bunch of people there waiting to embrace the music. Hopefully the sound of the album has reflected that in its fearlessness.
Benedict Cork
You can listen to Benedict Cork’s Notes on a Hopeless Romance here!
We loved getting to peer inside Benedict’s mind for his new album, Notes on a Hopeless Romance! What do you think of our Benedict Cork interview? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
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