His globetrotting mainly consists of a back-and-forth between his London hometown and LA, with US and European tours in between. He’s had a chance to reconnect with family, enjoy Nando’s with friends, and write and record with collaborators. As he gears up for another European tour in November, we reflect on what has been a supercharged two years for him and his music.
Yesterday was two years since Penelope was released. You were 18 at the time. How does it feel looking back on it now?
It’s not as romantic as it sounds. I’m not looking back like, “it’s so amazing. It’s been a beautiful two years,” etc. I looked through pictures I’d taken at the time and stills from the video. It’s a pleasant memory. It seems so long ago, so being reminded of that is excellent.
London-born rapper Col3trane shot for whynow in Soho
In Penelope, you talk about how you’re ‘gonna work this magic’. Has your spell-book of experience and tools grown during these two years?
One hundred per cent. That’s another thing: I think back on my actions or decisions. I’m sure everybody does this, like. If you thought about yourself two years ago, you’d be thinking: “Rah, I wish I knew then what I know now”. And I’m more of a wise and learned person than I was then. There have been some additions to the spell book since then.
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You rap about ‘checking yourself’. How regularly do you check in with yourself or reflect on yourself?
You get reminded of it in weird ways. I had a conversation the other day with someone I hadn’t seen in time. They asked how I was doing and if I was enjoying it. I was having a bit of a shit day, and I replied: “Yeah, but I know this thing happened blah blah blah…” then they reminded me: “But look at what you have!” And then I realised…damn, that’s true. And it’s imperative for me to check myself like that.
Col3trane’s new EP ‘Heroine’ featuring GoldLin,k is out now
You have another European tour in November. How do you take time for yourself on tour?
People say you have no time, but you have bare time when you’re doing nothing. That’s the thing about touring that people need help understanding. When you’re busy, you’re alive. But you’re also doing nothing. You’re sat on a bus for twelve hours, driving in the middle of nowhere. I play bare cards, chat the most shit with my band, and write a lot on tour. I like to write about the move. Driving through these places in the middle of fucking nowhere is inspiring. Being confined for an extended period makes me want to write.
How important is it to have people around you who inspire and motivate you?
Mad important. That’s another gem I’ve learned. When I started doing this music thing, many new people came into my life, a lot of new faces, and a lot of new influences. I was taken away from where I wanted to be. I needed to improve at keeping good people around me. But that is something I’ve learnt now and something fundamental to do.
On tour, Col3trane plays cards, ‘chats shit’ with his band and writes new material.
Who is inspiring you right now? Who’s grabbed your attention recently?
Slowthai. I was listening to him, his old stuff, this morning. He’s mad inspiring in loads of ways. One: his music is sick; two, the guy has balls – he’s so daring and courageous, he doesn’t give a fuck; three, he’s a bare nice guy. It’s inspirational to see successful people doing remarkable things and on the rise, rocking, going crazy, but still staying grounded and good people.
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You’ve started a fashion collaboration with Drama Call (the ‘Heroine Kills’ collection). Is it essential for an artist in the modern era to broaden their creative horizons?
For an artist in the modern era, you have to do that. You have to build your brand. But for me, it was just that I wanted to do that. I’ve always wanted to make clothes. Charlie, who runs Drama Call, has been a good friend of mine for many years, and it made sense.
You want more ownership over your direction, visuals, and music. Why do you want to take more control now?
When you get recognised by the music industry or get signed, people want to get a piece of the pie because you’re excited, and they want to help you and think they know what’s best for you. But no one knows what’s best for you apart from you, and you don’t know that because you have no experience. It’s straightforward for them to make you feel like you don’t see what you’re doing. Now I’ve realised no one knows what the fuck they’re talking about. Everyone’s lying. So if I’m going to blag it, I might as well blag it myself. If I fuck up, I fuck up – it’s on me!
Do you value honesty?
I’m not going to tell everyone about my life – that’s weird. But I’m not going to hide shit, or hide behind something, or lie to my supporters. I want to live my life without talking to everyone about it all the time. But at the same time, I appreciate my supporters and what they do for me more than anyone will know. So I will always be as honest as I can with them.
Col3trane cited Slowthai as being the artist grabbing his attention
Do you feel like that might become more difficult to negotiate as you continue to develop on this upward arc?
Probably. Because I don’t lie, I can’t lie – I’m a terrible liar! But also, I don’t particularly appreciate telling everyone what I’m doing in my life. I didn’t even like doing interviews! I used to argue all the time. But now I want them, to be honest – to have a little chat.
Finally, what are you looking forward to in 2020?
I was making an album in 2020. It’s going to be great. It’s already great, and I’ve barely even started it yet! I’m going to tour a lot, going to Australia and New Zealand in January. I also can’t wait for people to hear the new EP. It’s a bit different from me, but people who like my music will like it.
And I want to travel the world, man. People always say, “You’re not gonna like it, blah blah blah.” But it’s so fulfilling to play in front of a crowd in a place I barely know. Seeing all the places music can take me, seeing all the faces that music can introduce me to.
Col3trane’s new EP ‘Heroine’ is out now. His ASW19 European tour kicks off in November.
