Photography: Conor Clinch | Curated by Rachel Gold | Styling: Alexx Dougherty |Words: Miles Holder

In a time when sensation and the absurd makes the artist, Jake Bugg is a fresh retreat from all the industry fluff. Jake Bugg first came to prominence with the release of his self titled debut album and while his sound has evolved, his impeccable songwriting talent hasn’t wained.

Today, we’re very proud to premiere the latest music video to come off from album ‘Hearts That Strain’ as well as a preview of our exclusive photoshoot and interview with Jake for our upcoming print issue. Entitled ‘Waiting’, The video is shot in LA by acclaimed director Andrew Douglas. The yearning tone that we’ve all come to love from Jake Bugg’s vocal (especially on this new record) blends surprisingly effortlessly with the juxtaposed country vocal of  Noah Cyrus, perfectly evoking the song’s sultry yet melancholy sound.

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You told NME that this album was “make or break it” for you and that’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself?

I think I’m always going to feel that way when making music and quite honestly, it’s the truth. If my music doesn’t work out, then there’s a chance I can lose the ability to continue doing the things I love. For me, that’s playing music and travelling the world, and I’m always going to feel that but I’m really happy with the album, we’ll just have to wait and see.

 

You were very young when your debut came out and you were c0ntintually lauded as the “next big thing”, was that kind of media expectation and hype unhelpful from your perspective?

I got into this to play music and travel the world, and that side of the press comes with it so there will always be media pressure, but I didn’t get into it for the journalist approval, so I never let it affect me.

 

Hearts That Strain was fully recorded out in Nashville, what was your main reason for recording it out there?

There’s a whole sophisticated music scene out in Nashville, and I love country music, so that was one reason. The level of musicianship is so high in Nashville too so it was also great to get out there and play with amazing people and I’ve always been inspired by a lot of the musicians out there too.

 

Lyrically, Southern Rain is one of the darker songs on the album but you’re singing it over a comparatively sunnier melody, is that something you always intend to do with your songwriting?

I believe it’s nice to have songs and even the darker songs there should be a glimmer of hope. I like that you say that, I like to hear people’s interpretations of songs and I think it’s important for everyone to keep their narrative and that’s one of the reasons I’ve never liked music videos so much because they paint a story for the listener. I’ve always like the idea of one song meaning one thing to me as the writer and an entirely different thing to you the listener.

What’s changed most about you since your debut?

My determination to get the finishing product when it comes to my songs. I’m determined to work a lot harder, and it’s worked. This album was written and produced in a couple of months, and to me, it’s my best body of work.

 

 

What is your FAULT?

My biggest FAULT is thinking that music is the most important thing in the music industry because it’s quite obviously not that way anymore.

 

Is that something you’ve come to accept or does it still effect you?

There’s no escaping it, and the only thing I can do is try to stick to what I do best and try to write the music that I do. I’m never going to compete with the stuff in the charts because it’s not about your song making it talent, success in the industry is just fueled so much by your celebrity and sales figures. Fashion first, music second.

 

Look out of the full photoshoot and interview in FAULT Issue 27 – COMING SOON…