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So let's go back to the start what was it like growing up in Man- chester? Well, I grew up in a very small town called Middleton that was just outside of Manchester and it was very white, very working class. When Manchester came into play for me was the 90's, my teen years, it was absolutely amazing, the kind of music that was coming out of there was Oasis and bands like that were all over the world and they were such a huge influ- ence at the time.They were great as well cause they came from Manchester and it made it seem achievable. During that time you also taught yourself music, tells us more about that. Well, it really began with just sing- ing and writing, I didn't really play the guitar, all of my friends played guitars and I was never really the studious type. For me, the beginning of it was more songs, words, lyrics and I would work with the players, so that came into play very quickly, so for me, it was more about how things felt rather than the theo- retical side of things. Even now, although I do play guitar, and I sometimes write on the piano, I have no idea theoretically what I am doing, which allows me to keep it in that 'play' world. So not following any rules has allowed you more creative free- dom? Definitely! Cause music is similar to math's it is based on rules, so obviously there are certain things that don't sound good and will never sound good. But rather than me learning the rules of it, and saying I want to make a song, and I know that this chord goes with that chord, it was more a case of my brain would almost steer where it wants to go and I'd have to find it with my hands rather than, just knowing 'oh, that is c sharp or that can go with this chord'. Tell us about your latest single passport home? I was thinking, about the idea of what a passport is, and how it is obviously the thing that allows people to get to their destination, and I got thinking about how there a lot of people who are alive that allow us to get to a certain desti- nation. So the passport became more of a metaphor really, for the people or the situation, or some- body who encourages you or has allowed you to get to a certain destination in your life. As the song passport home is about finding it hard to get home, what would you do for the refugees if you were prime minister? Of course, there are security is- sues and things like that, but we have lost the humanity to really see these people as human be- ings. I know that there is space in this country for them there are so many unused buildings that have been bought by the rich, that are sat there with no one living in them, there is to many innocent people, who are being shut out and not helped. It is heartbreak- ing, I have no idea what I would do if I was the prime minister. September song has been a massive hit, has all the success changed anything for you? It definitely hasn't changed me as a person. think that the fact of the matter is I have spent more time in my life pulling pints in the bar than I have, being on stage. So I am actually still more comfortable in that kind of place and I am okay with that. I don't need to be the star on stage whose sold a million singles, I am very happy to be the guy who used to work in a bar who writes songs and people like them. What moments inspired Septem- ber song? I guess it was inspired by the kind of looking back on high school days when times were very much simpler and the biggest worries you had in your life was missing your crush during the summer holidays.. What lessons has being a dad taught you? I guess it taught me to be consis- tent as a parent, your time can't always be consistent but your character can be. Do you have any words or thoughts about the Manchester bombing, being from there? I mean obviously, for me and every Mancunian it was a massive shock and it was heartbreaking, I think the main thing that has changed for me is, is the incred- ible unity that was shown for Man- chester. We've all gotten together and not looked back in anger. And I think that the main thing that we can do is respond with love, hope and strength. INTERVIEW JP COOPER 2017 / ISSUE 100 33 HIP HOP & RNB "I DON'T NEED TO BE THE STAR ON STAGE WHOSE SOLD A MILLION SINGLES, I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE THE GUY WHO USED TO WORK IN A BAR WHO WRITES SONGS AND PEOPLE LIKE THEM." With his excellent falsetto, tender lyrics jammed full of personal experiences, JP Cooper is a natural wordsmith. His soulful hit single 'September Song' perfectly captures those bittersweet summer memories that we all know so well. Now back with his latest single 'Passport Home', the singer/songwriter lets us know what the inspiration was behind a song that's more than just about reaching a physical destination & why he's not an artist that will ever get too 'big for his boots'. Patience Takyuka | Guestlist follow @JPCooperMusic