Luke Pickett Interview

UK R&B artist Luke Pickett is currently topping the iTunes R&B charts, and for good reason—he’s got one beautiful voice. Whether he’s covering a song like “Happy” by Pharrell or performing his own music, Pickett’s infectious voice sweeps you off your feet. Below, we chat about his musical inspiration and dream collaborations.
Cliché: How did you first get your start in music?
Luke Pickett: I had been performing live for a few years and then created my first EP with a friend of mine. He then passed on my EP to a friend of his (Gary Go) who runs a label called The Canvas Room. He really liked what he heard, so we set up a meeting and the rest is history. I’ve been working with the label ever since.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Like most guys across the world, I’d have loved to have been a footballer. But I guess that’s a little unrealistic! I really enjoy history, so maybe something to do with that.
Who would you cite as your musical inspiration?
The Police, Michael Jackson, Prince, Jodeci, Jeff Buckley, D’angelo, Marvin Gaye, Kanye West, Bjork—how long have you got?!
Favorite song to perform?
It changes all the time. Whatever is newest is always fun because it’s fresh. At the moment, it’s a song called “Under Your Control,” but it will probably change again soon.
Where would you love to travel and perform?
I’d love to perform at Madison Square Garden and having been to New York before and knowing what a great place it is, I’d be happy traveling and visiting again.
Who’s your dream collaboration?
I’d love to work with D’angelo; he’s an absolute genius!
What’s next for you?
I’m just working on pushing my latest single “The Star In My Movie” for the time being, which is available on iTunes and all the rest now. Then in the new year, there will be some more gigs coming up and another single not far away.
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Luke Pickett Interview: Photographed by Laura Harvey