Producer/singer/everything-er Brolin‘s ‘Swim Deep’ is an incredible penso-banger: a metallic autumn sort of a track, perfect for late afternoon blue hour strolls in the crisp industry of cold winds. We loved it so much we had him compile a moodboard of the surprising influences that go into making him him, which you should read while listening to the track like rn.
SQUASH
Squash is a big part of my life, I try to play at least once a week. I was introduced to the sport by my mother and father at an early age and when I first picked up a racquet, Jahangir Khan was a particular hero of mine. He won 10 British Open titles and was undefeated in 555 games, the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sports.
MOTORCYCLES
I have always had a mild obsession with motorcycles, inherited from my father’s love for racing. He would buy a copy of MCN on his way home from work and we would read the new model reviews and classified ads before debating which bikes would end up in our dream garage if the lottery numbers came up that week.
The street motorcycle which had the most impact on me was the Honda Fireblade Urban Tiger with orange, grey and black faring. It looked so aggressive. so powerful, so dangerous… and I immediately wanted to own one, even as a young boy.
FISH & CHIPS
I adore fish and chips but unfortunately, quality in the south of England is a rarity. The best I have experienced are from Old Salty’s on Argyle Street in Glasgow. Whenever I am in town, I always make time for a visit to Old Salty’s and if you drop in, don’t forget to order the mushy peas. They’re exceptional!
GUITARS
Punk was the reason I first picked up a guitar. A school friend taught me how to play a few power chords on his black Squire strat and from that moment, I was hooked. After 3 years playing on a beaten-up, starter acoustic, I saved up and invested in a ’91 Gibson Les Paul gold top classic. It’s still the nicest Les Paul I have ever played.
BACK TO THE FUTURE SOUNDTRACK
The Back To The Future orchestral composition by Alan Silvestri accompanies some of my favourite scenes and quotable dialogue in the movie. To me, that score recollects the feel of optimism, escapism and youth.
COFFEE
You’re spoilt for choice in London when it comes to finding good coffee. However, I always try to pop into Curzon cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue for a warm drink and a slice of cake when I’m passing through central. The coffee is strong, you can always find a seat and it is a great place to people watch, as cinema-goers and actors alike use this low-key cafe for casual meetings and catch-ups.
Brolin’s single Swim Deep is out now. Catch him supporting Kele at Oval Space, London on November 15th.
