London-based singer songwriter Bradley Jago is an emerging voice on the queer music scene. Following his latest release, BITE Magazine’s editor-in-chief Sienna Bentley spoke exclusively with Jago about creating the single, his development following a two-year hiatus and what’s next as he takes the soul genre by storm.
You recently released a new single, ‘Forever Young’, after a two-year hiatus. What’s the story behind this track?
It’s about a guy, of course. I was seeing someone, and on paper he was perfect and everything was progressing as it should be – but my heart just wasn’t in it. I started to force it because I felt subconsciously that that’s what I should do. Then, I was like, “Hold on… Why do I feel like I have to be with someone even if I’m not feeling it?” I realised it was because of the pressure of being in a relationship as you get older – like it’s a checkmark that you must reach by a certain age. But I thought fuck that, I just want to stay forever young.
What’s the biggest challenge you faced while creating ‘Forever Young’, and how did you overcome it?
It was finding a way to create a sound that represented how I felt. I felt like I was saying goodbye to something so good, but I was also so happy to move on. The heaviness of rejecting someone so lovely felt like a stifling summer’s evening heat to me, and that’s the vibe I hope the song reflects.
What, for you, are the most critical pieces of advice that aspiring musicians should hear?
First, live. Without living, you’re going to have nothing to write about. Sometimes I’m a bit reckless, knowing that one day it could make a good song. Oops.
Second, go back to your roots. What surprised me over my two years off was how much I have been influenced by the music I listened to growing up.
Finally, be authentic, but take risks with it. People don’t want to see the obvious stuff – I want to hear the juicy bits you don’t tell anyone about.
How has your sound evolved over the course of your journey so far?
I feel like I have really gone back to basics, and I’m loving it. I doubted for so long if soul was ‘trendy’ enough to break through all the TikTok sounds and all that, but when I played demos to people, it was these songs that always hit them the hardest. I have been listening to a lot more soul music, and really trying to educate myself beyond the basics of the genre and the big hits I grew up with. I’m just falling deeper and deeper in love with it.
What’s next for Bradley Jago?
I’ve got a headline show coming up on 19 November at the Finsbury, and my next single so soon! Oh, and an even bigger project coming!
