English rapper Elliot John Gleave, more commonly known by his stage name Example, first found success with the release of his second studio album “Won’t Go Quietly” in 2010. The album, which peaked at number #4 on the UK Album Charts, also made it to number #1 on the UK Dance Chart.
Following the success of his second album “Won’t Go Quietly”, Example released his third album “Playing in the Shadows” in 2011 and topped the charts with two number #1 singles, “Changed the Way You Kiss Me” and “Stay Awake”. The English lad then released his fourth album “The Evolution of Man” in 2012 which peaked at number #13 on the UK Album Charts and also at number #1 on the UK Dance Chart.
Also known for his collaboration with Calvin Harris on the track “We’ll Be Coming Back”, Example is set to play at Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) this March. We caught up with the rapper for a quick chat to find out what he has in store for us.
Hi Elliot! How’s it going? Where are you right now and what are you currently up to?
Hi there! It’s great, thanks. I just had a kid and I’m currently in Brisbane so I’m not where I usually am. I’m usually in London or on tour but I’ve been in Australia for a few months.
Oh congratulations!
Thank you!
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on my new album. As you know, I’ve been in Australia for a few months but I’ve managed to get a lot of it done already. I don’t record everything, I pick and choose the best and I’ve managed to record certain tracks since Christmas. You know, sometimes not everything you record gets released so I may have to record thirty tracks to get ten great tracks to be featured on the next album.
Oh cool. Any leads as to when we can expect the album?
Oh that’s way off. This is really right at the start of me writing so this album may not be out till maybe the beginning or middle of next year. I will however be releasing a single this year but I am not too worried about the album because I don’t think much people care about albums anymore. I mean people just care about seeing you live and they care about one big song a year and that kinda keeps people happy now.
Besides working on your new album, what else do you have planned for 2015?
Hmm…I’ve just been relaxing, you know? My wife just gave birth, so we’ve been spending a lot of time with the kid. I train a bit, I cook, go for long walks, it’s very relaxed at the moment before things get busy again. Soon as I start touring in a few weeks starting with Future Music Australia, then I go to Asia and do seven shows then back to UK. I’ll be in the studio a lot when I’m back in UK but I’m also going to be doing shows in Europe so it’s going to be a busy year, as always.
Speaking of coming to Asia, are you excited to be playing at Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) in Singapore this year?
Yeah, I can’t wait! I love Singapore − it’s a very clean place, got some amazing shops, hotels are amazing, people are friendly and the food, I love Asian food so yeah I’m pretty excited.
Lastly, what can your fans expect from you during FMFA 2015?
Well, Future Music Festival Asia has booked my show with my DJ so I still perform. I’m going to be in front of the decks because I’ll be rapping and singing but we will also mix it with other people’s tracks – classic dance, house, techno, dubstep and all of my biggest hits are in there as well so it’ll be like a big mashup party style performance. The show that I do with DJ Wire is more like a big house party, a very different style of show as compared to my shows with my live band and it’s very fun for me because I’m part host, part entertainer, and part DJ. It’s going to be a lot of fun, fans can expect a really good time.
Thank you so much for taking the time out to chat with us Elliot. See you in March!
Thank you very much, it was lovely speaking to you! See you in March.
We can’t wait to catch Example live at Future Music Festival Asia 2015 this March. Big thanks to our buddies from Livescape Asia for organising this interview for us. We’ll leave you today with one of our faves – “10 million people” by Example: