Solum: “My musical truth is to be completely free in what I make and unbound by any genre”
I recently stumbled upon a tune called Circles that I haven't been able to stop listening to. Courtesy of a London-based artist known only as Solum, the dark and hypnotic track pushed the musician beyond the boundaries of his usual soundscape. And, in doing so, proved that taking risks can lead to magical outcomes.
Keen to learn more about his artistry, I was stoked when Solum said he'd have a little chat with us! Taking us through the formative musical years that shaped his sound, what it feels like to have hundreds of thousands of streams, and which three albums he'd take with him to a deserted island, please welcome our new friend Solum!
Welcome aboard Solum! I'm chuffed to introduce you to our ever-growing audience!
Let's kick things off with an easy one...Tell us about Solum and when you first discovered your love for music.
Well, I've been interested in music ever since I was young, but honestly, I fell in love with production and making the actual music when I was 12, when my friend showed me FL Studio.
I got a download, and from then on, I was making music! It started as dubstep and drum and bass (very bad dubstep and drum and bass, I will add), but around 18, I wanted to sing.
I wanted to make music that would let me perform in front of people rather than behind some decks, and the rest was history, honestly. I tried all sorts of genres, trying to make something that defines Solum, until I finally came across what I was looking for.
Solum is an experience more than anything, and a chance for me to express my experiences through anything I want. I go where the music takes me, never restricted by a genre, and always wanting to make whatever I want.
Now, let's move straight on to Circles, your eclectic, hypnotic, and seriously impressive new single.
You've mentioned that it delves into the complexities of toxic relationships, and I'm wondering what message or feeling you hope listeners take away from it?
Honestly, this is one where I wanted to capture that sensation of being stuck, almost like in a loop. As if it were like Groundhog Day and you keep going through the same day over and over, again and again ;)
I wanted people to really feel that sensation of being stuck in something you know isn't good for you, but you secretly love it, which I think we all have been victims of at least once in our lives. However, this should be seen as a deterrent to not be in this situation, if you are to realise, relate, and hopefully find a way out!
BPD is a tune that formed part of your most recent album, Is This Love?
Currently sitting on over 287,000 Spotify plays, could you tell our readers what on earth it feels like to know so many people are listening to and resonating with your music?
Absolutely jarring is the only way I could describe it. It's a song that I never expected to take off like it did, but I'm honestly so grateful it did. It definitely made me feel like I can keep going with this passion and that I'm going in the right direction!
Also, that song is a really, shall we say, hot song. So, to the people listening to BPD, I see you ;)
When it comes to your musical DNA, who do you draw the most inspiration from, and who helped define the sound you create today?
It really varies on how I am feeling and the genre I fall into, but the 3 I think that impacted me the most and are always in the back of my mind when I'm making a song are: Mk.gee, XXXTENTACION, and Joji. These 3 are people who created such waves in both their personalities and musical ingenuity; they are what inspire me to be as creative and as expressive as I am.
How do you define "musical truth" in your work, and what does staying true to that mean for you as an artist?
My musical truth is to be completely free in what I make and unbound by any genre. Solum will always be an individual experience, a world I've created. It has everything I need and want in there, and if you're willing to listen and to look through the world as I do, then that's all I can ask for! It means the most to me. I never want to be cornered into one thing or caged into one sound; my music is my freedom.
Which of your lyrics would you like to see printed on a T-shirt?
Either "Take me by the hand, take me to your scarlet dream" from Melancholic Dream, or "Medicate my mind, medicate with Charlie wine" from Charlie Wine.
OK, Solum – desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you go with and why?
EASY!
1. Joji - BALLADS 1 - This album is pure perfection. It embodies that beautiful lo-fi and dreamy sound, and I could never get bored of listening to this album!
2. Mk.gee - Two Star & The Dream Police - Another masterpiece. The way he used that baritone guitar and the originality of this album are generational. Every time I listen, something new appears!
3. Nujabes - Modal Soul - This has one of my favourite songs on called Feather, and honestly, if I were on a desert island and heard that every morning, I think I would be very at peace with anything that happened on the Island! It has that peaceful, almost stoic sound, and it's an album that always leaves me happy and content. (I would have said Is This Love?, but I'm on an island already talking to myself, I don't need to go more mental.)
Solum, it's been an absolute pleasure getting to know you better! Thanks again for taking the time.
Before we say farewell, what comes next for you musically, and do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to leave us with?
More music is still to come, so follow me on Instagram, as that's where you'll get all the fresh sauce.
Words of wisdom? If you're listening to Circles or BPD and thinking, "Yeah, I want this in my life," DO NOT DO IT! That is not the way we start healthy relationships!
Follow Solum on Instagram
