Start Listening To: Theo Bleak

Theo Bleak's musical odyssey through the Iliad EP.

In a world often saturated with manufactured pop sensations and contrived performances, emerging artist Theo Bleak stands out as a beacon of authenticity. With the recent release of his single "Homer" and the eagerly anticipated EP "Iliad" on the horizon, Bleak's music has been described as a captivating blend of brutal honesty and delicately crafted lyrics. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Greek poem, "Iliad," Theo Bleak weaves a narrative that intertwines personal experiences with timeless themes of home, turbulence, and the human drama.

Congratulations on the release of your new single 'Homer' and the upcoming EP 'Iliad'! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and how it fits into the overall theme of the EP?

Thank you so much! I love reading and I read a lot of philosophy anyway but in December I felt compelled to read Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey for some unknown reason. I called the second hands book store and she had brought in a copy of each that day! How strange! When I finally ready them, the line in Iliad ‘we will never be here again’ just resonated with me so much and I wrote ‘Homer’ that day. I think the themes of home, turbulence and human drama just spoke through centuries to me. I likened my own turbulence to the Trojan War, facetiously of course.

Your music has been described as brutally honest with delicately presented lyrics. How do you approach songwriting and ensure that your emotions and experiences shine through in your music?

I don’t know any other way, is the honest answer. Whenever I’ve tried to be mysterious or untrue to myself, I hated the music I wrote. I think I’ve experienced some deep darkness and sadness in my life and I just wanted to honestly present that in the songs. I’m either hyper or very low and there is no subtlety to my personality so I thought, why should there be in my creations?

In the press release, you mentioned that the EP is inspired by the famous ancient Greek poem 'Iliad' and how it describes your own life. How did you incorporate the themes and narratives from the 'Iliad' into your songwriting?

I think each song on the EP was about either a space or an experience I’d had someplace in my hometown of Dundee. ‘Reality shows’ for example tackles the philosophical themes of morality and truth, that life is merely a story we tell ourselves to cope, devoid of whether its explicitly true or not. ‘To the Boys’ is more about the symbolic wards we face, of addiction and forced politics in the music industry. ‘To the boys’ is about how I feel people, including myself were let down by those who were supposed to protect them. Ursula was written in 2020 about how I wish I could trade my singing voice the the greek witch and in return I’d no longer suffer. I guess each song is an epic poem within itself, a story seeped in philosophical lessons. When I tied each of these together, they became my own iliad. Greek mythology teaches us how to take abundance from human brutality, it accounts for the most human things we do and addresses what should be learnt from the mistakes of man.

You've had the opportunity to support notable artists like Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and Suede. How have these experiences shaped you as an artist and influenced your musical style?

When I see the names of people I’ve supported, it genuinely seems madness to me that people allowed that to happen haha. The shows have been amazing, I love performing live and I think that’s where I am best perceived, in a room with people. I find those experiences extremely affirming, that I must be doing something notable to be asked.

Your EP features interludes that provide glimpses into your mind and personal experiences. Could you elaborate on the significance of these interludes and how they contribute to the overall storytelling of the EP?

So many people have brought up the interludes which make me so happy because I think it’s so hard to tell a story without using words! Odyssey 1 is supposed to represent my perception of the world, the stories that you can’t really put into words; how things ‘feel’. Whereas Odyssey 2 was more about how I love others, I find it so hard to write about love so again didn’t feel words were necessary. I think they offer a personal moment between the title tracks, like we’re all spending a quiet moment together.

The track 'Ursula' is described as a daydream where you meet the Greek Witch in the Underground Nightclub toilets. What was the inspiration behind this imaginative concept, and how does it tie into your personal journey?

In 2020 I spent a lot of time alone, and I would imagine all sorts of bizarre stories. This one stuck with me because I thought it was so sad. I used to go to this nightclub when I was like 18, and I’d feel so out of place there. I was thinking about how you meet girls in nightclub toilets and they impart all sorts of wisdom on you and for whatever reason I imagined meeting Ursula- maybe because the little mermaid was my favourite growing up. I think being able to sing is God’s gift, truly, but I’d have given that away to stop suffering so much. I imagined trading my voice to her there and then, for a life of peace from myself.

'To The Boys' explores the struggles and ties among the "supposed Bohemians" in Dundee. Could you share more about the themes explored in this song and its significance within the context of the EP?

Of course, I think artists in Dundee have been treated like shit, honestly. I’ve always felt connected to other people who pursued the arts in Dundee and a sort of concern for their well-being. It is no lie to say a lot of us have struggled in some way or other and I’ve found it difficult to know how to help others. I think when things are going well, then fall apart quickly it triggers very real and visceral consequences. I have experienced that in previous projects, you know some ‘industry guy’ rips apart your entire vision and self-worth in seconds. Like it’s absolutely nothing to them. This is peoples lives though, their art and their dreams. I wanted to highlight the dark undercurrent in the arts and in these often forgotten ‘scenes’. The line ‘I guess I forgive that moment, but you forgive it all,’ is the turning point of the song though, the robustness of people I know to just keep going, they’ve inspired me. People have made it work and made it through, even after they’ve been told no a million and one times.

The EP's closing track, 'Reality Shows,' was inspired by a recent conversation with your first boyfriend. How did that conversation shape the song, and what message do you hope to convey through it?

I had a conversation with him when I moved back from the Isle of Skye, I thought it bizarrely cruel he was one of the first people I saw when I moved back as he’d shaped many of my thoughts whilst I’d been away. He told me everything I’d done wrong, and maybe even a year before, I would have jumped on the defensive. However, I listened to what he said and left the conversation with the sense that truth can never really be objective because it is massively influenced by our ego. I was probably the villain at points, I am capable of hurting others and my recollection of events may not be entirely accurate. It was the biggest lesson I could ever have learnt, life is an interactive reality show that we can influence but others influence it too. We cannot contort how other interpret a situation, and I think it is ok to let go even trying to as long as we are accountable. He hurt me and that much was true, but I hurt him aswell and I’d never even considered that before.

Your musical influences range from Jeff Buckley to Radiohead, and you draw inspiration from movies and books as well. How do these diverse sources of inspiration come together to shape your unique sound and artistic vision?

I think with Theo Bleak, I desperately want to create a world and a feeling. I want people to live in my perception whilst they listen to my songs. In order to do that, I think deriving inspiration from all sensory experiences is paramount. Reading and watching movies are two of the most immersive experiences I think you can have, so I have tried to pinpoint exactly what about those causes such visceral reactions. I pay close attention to word painting, to soundtracks and the most emotive features present. I take from the sounds of nature or from the sounds of peoples voices. All of our experiences create an extremely complex phenomena, so it’s no easy task to translate that into music. However, I’m trying things and I’m being given the space to be extremely creative with it.

You mentioned that you never wanted to be seen as a disposable commodity and that you've gone through a transformative journey. How has creating Theo Bleak allowed you to express your true self as an artist, and what are some of the messages you hope to convey through your music?

I think having spent a long time suffering within myself and creating Theo was a real breath of fresh air for me. I hated myself and I do not say that lightly. However through the experiences I’ve had, I think I have some wisdom to impart. I understand that life is difficult for a lot of people, and sometimes we’re not even sure why. I want to make people feel close to me, that we can go through this experience together. I want to try and frame concepts that defy language usually, and I’d like to cover as much of the human experience as I can!

With your extensive live performance experience, including upcoming shows at All Points East, how do you approach translating the emotion and vulnerability of your recorded music into captivating live performances?

So after all the pretentious guff I talk, I’m actually so silly on stage. I try to perform the songs close to the recordings but am not afraid to adapt them depending on the show. We are a live band and there is room to move or to stand still. Honestly, however the music touches people, as long as they want to be there. I do speak about the songs a bit but usually I get the zoomies and talk a lot of shit. I like to think that’s part of the charm. I love playing live though, so please come see me!

Your lyrics have been praised for their depth and poetic style. How do you craft your lyrical compositions, and what role do you feel lyrics play in conveying your artistic vision?

Lyrics are my favourite part for sure, the chaos of writing lyrics is unhinged though. I have scraps of paper and books full of ideas, my notes app also needs regular organisation. I think how we frame stories in words is a beautiful concept and it is what I listen to in others music. I think when I write about people I’ll be fussing forever though, because I want it to be right and true.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Are there any specific musical directions or collaborations you hope to explore in the future?

I want to be happy, I never want to do something that feels wrong ever again. If this could be my job for the rest of my life I’ll never moan again. I just want to keep going where the iliad took me, because I know I’m gonna go somewhere cool again. I want to explore as much as I can and digest as much culture as I can. I’d love to collaborate but you can never really know what will happen, so just keep your fingers crossed for me.