We sat down with musician Barry Adamson before he sets out on the road across the UK in March promoting his latest studio album ‘Cut To Black’. Tickets here.
What themes or experiences inspired the creative direction of your latest album, Cut To Black?
I was inspired to pack in as much influence and experience from making previous albums as possible, with an emphasis on how black music has always affected me. Plus there are certain cinematic leanings as always, ’cut to black’ often being the last line of a script and also there are other meanings about possible ‘endings’ all wrapped up in a kind of noir that has become a strong identity for myself and the work.
How did your memoir, Up Above The City, Down Beneath The Stars, influence the musical journey of this album?
I guess it cleared away and made space for and allowed me to pursue a firmer direction and to almost ‘begin again’ and not feel too tied to the way I made records before.
You’ve been known for blending diverse genres—how do you approach merging soul, R&B, hip hop, and funk with more modern elements like AI and Manhattan disco?
Under the influence of black music, I felt free to merge and blend and use my ‘take’ on those genres to try and come up with my own versions and then apply those ideas to what has inspired me in the past. I’m always listening for what I think sounds the way I hear it and if AI (in this case, mastering, can help then I’ll go with that.
As someone who’s worked extensively with film and soundtracks, does cinematic storytelling play a role in your music creation process for Cut To Black?
Absolutely. Each hook each riff each lyric and say groove hopefully transports the listener out of the everyday and into the world of the album and gives ideas and images to support what’s happening emotionally, as in watching a film.
After over four decades in the industry, how has your relationship with music evolved, and what keeps you creatively energized?
I know that for me it is the life blood. My curiosity and quest to get better at communicating my ideas and have them heard and give something of myself to somebody, keeps me tuned into the creative force.
What are you most looking forward to as you embark on this upcoming UK tour?
Bringing ‘Cut to Black’ to the table in all its glory, plus playing some older favourites and really connecting with people and lifting the roof off at the same time.