Interview: Newton Faulkner
19th July 2012
Share This Article:
A lot has changed in the world of Newton Faulkner since his 2007 debut Hand Built By Robots. He remarks: ‘I’ve got a kid, I have to pay a mortgage… I’m doing an impression of a proper grown up!’
One of the things that hasn’t changed however, is Newton’s ability to write effortlessly successful acoustic anthems. His new album Write It On Your Skin is perched on the top of the UK charts, beating Frank Ocean’s highly anticipated album Channel Orange to the coveted number one spot.
Since bursting on to the scene with Hand Built by Robots he paved the way for countless other singer songwriters such as Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard and Frank Turner to find success.
You could be forgiven for assuming that fans wouldn’t take to another album in a genre that is quickly becoming saturated, but Write It On Your Skin has shown that Newton Faulkner is still capable of rising above the rest and providing a quality album.
Speaking about his success despite the competition, Faulkner said: ‘It’s been amazing and I think the competition is good for the genre.’ He goes on to explain that the musical landscape in 2009 when he released Rebuilt By Humans was not conducive to singer songwriters: ‘It was like walking into a western saloon bar where Dizzee Rascal was playing and having the music stop and everyone stare at you.’ In many ways the fact that there are so many other artists doing the same thing has allowed Faulkner to easily slip back into the public’s affections.
Not that Write it On Your Skin needed any help in being recognised as a great album. Faulkner has recaptured the spirit of Hand Built By Robots with the album and it is equally as charming as the enchanting debut. He has the ability that many great songwriters have of writing songs that are simple yet incredibly catchy.
When asked about the album’s sound, Faulker revealed: ‘it’s very at ease with itself, it doesn’t sound like anything’s been painstaking ached over. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone, I was just trying to make something that sounded nice!’

- Article continues below...
- More stories you may like...
- Introducing: Super Inuit
- Women in Music: An interview with Lorraine Long, Founder of Longevity PR
- Women in Music: An interview with Maddy Raven, founder of Burstimo
You might also like...
People who read this also read...
TRENDING
TRENDING CHANNELS
CONTRIBUTOR OF THE MONTH