Ellesmere Port based Luke Cusato is a naturally gifted songwriter; armed with an electronic piano, velvety beats and a falsetto to die for. Luke has a hugely commercial feel that mixes beautifully with pure emotion. We hooked up with Luke at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet where he was after a decent pair of house slippers, I was on the look out for a decent 5 pack of elasticated trunks, like boxer shorts but with additional 'support', we went off to do our shopping and met up again in the Nando's restaurant where, whilst waiting for our mutated Piri Piri chicken, we chatted about Paolo Nutini, chocolate and Ultrabeat (he's only a lad...), here's how we got on....
Please introduce yourself and your music in one sentence....
I'm a pretty emotional guy and I guess that comes through in my music.
How has social media aided your music and how have you been helped by an organization such as Tilt Shift?
Through exposure and a fantastic little button called 'share'! Tilt Shift is my 2nd mum, I guess that's one way of putting it! The company has mentored me as an artist and they have pushed and promoted my music to a diversely massive audience!
‘Call Me’ is a deep track, what was the story behind this?
Well, I had co-written 'Call Me' with Paul Aiden (a great musician, producer, singer/songwriter and all round nice guy) he introduced me to the older version of the track and it turned out I could really relate to it; so we decided to dissect and develop the song. The concept of the song is pretty self explanatory I think; it's about craving a certain someone to be there with you to make you feel whole. Feeling lost without them and for them to 'contact' you to set you free :)
Who made the video for ‘Call Me’ and ‘Nothing to Lose’?
'Killer Robot Productions' (aka: Ali Ingle, who is also a brilliant singer/songwriter) and for Nothing To Lose; BalmyMashed and 'Spy Music Productions' for Nothing To Lose (Acoustic)
‘Nothing to Lose’ reminds me of Maverick Sabre and some Paolo Nutini influence, which musicians have influenced you to get where you are today?
It's pretty wicked that you say that, I used to listen to Maverick a lot and as for Paolo; I bloody love him! Most recently I've been listening to artists like James Vincent McMorrow, James Blake, Allen Stone and Sticky Fingers. To be honest though I listen to all sorts! I'm loving Childish Gambino at the mo too.
Your birthday was recently, what gifts did you receive and are you ready for your twenties?
It was indeed! Mainly money and chocolate to be fair, but who doesn't love money and chocolate? I prefer to look at it as 'age is just a number' although not being a teen anymore does seem pretty weird haha.
Would you rather live with a dog that sings lullabies or a gorilla that can do sign language? Explain your answer
Definitely a dog that sings lullabies! How cute would that be? A gorilla would take up loads of room man, probably make loads more mess; plus I can't read sign.
In your opinion, what is the BEST album/record ever released and why?
Hardest question in the world for me! But for now I would choose 'Legend - The best of Bob Marley and The Wailers' simply because it's just amazing haha! Also I can't get enough of Sticky Fingers' new album 'Land of Pleasure'. Everything about those guys and that album is incredible; vocals, arrangement, production, melodies, the lot!
If you had a chance to put together your own ‘super group’, who would be in it? (only living members please)
Stevie Wonder, Paolo Nutini, JP Cooper, Matt Corby, Lianne La Havas and Allen Stone.
Being an unsigned act how hard is it to get noticed?
Pretty damn hard at the very start but it's about 3 things I think; talent, drive and networking!
Do you own a record that you wouldn’t like to admit you have?
Well I've just had a look through a few drawers and I have a few albums of Avril Lavigne, Ultrabeat and 'Now That's What I Call Music' haha
What classic song would you have liked to have recorded and why?
Naive by The Kooks; because it's simply awesome!
Name three people (alive, dead or fictional) that you would like as dinner party guests?
Ron Burgundy, Yoda and Bob Marley.
There are many good bands and musicians out there, who would you ask the readers of musicmuso to look out for?
Sticky Fingers (even though they are pretty big-ish now) my mate 'Lou Sinergy' and 'Xam Volo' Romeo Haha!
Do you think we can ever live in a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned?
That's a very philosophical question.
If you could describe your music in the form of a fictional character, who would it be?
Romeo.
What are your plans for the remainder 2014?
To keep recording, keep writing and to keep smiling :) Oh, and maybe to release a new EP!
Prior to parting company with Luke, I decided it was only fair that he should be put through the quickfire round of questions like everyone else does, regardless of his age, he was just filling up his Pepsi for the 12th time at the 'free-vend' soda fountain (tsk, pesky kids...), here's what he came up with....
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi
Drum machine or the real deal?
Real Deal
Mac or PC?
PC
Live Show or Recording Studio?
Live Show
Superman or Batman?
Superman
Fry up or Sunday roast
Sunday roast
Lemmy (Motorhead) or Ozzy (Black Sabbath)?
Lemmy
CD or Vinyl?
Vinyl
Car or Motorbike?
Car
Acoustic or electric?
Acoustic
Zoe Saldana or Jennifer Lawrence?
Jennifer Lawrence
Shower or Bath?
Bath
Tattoos or Piercings?
Tattoos
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino?
Robert de Niro
God or Google?
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook
Soundcloud
We'd like to thank Luke for sparing his time to answer our questions and wish him every success in the future, we left him to gorge on his chocolate and count all his birthday money after WE ended up picking up the bill....
Interview by Mark Wincott