Fast becoming a key-player in the ever-growing resurgence of cinematic psychedelia and library music, Oscar ‘SHOLTO’ Robertson is set to share his debut album ‘Letting Go of Forever’. An ambitious, 26-track project that pulls from the worlds of jazz, soul, kraut rock, and 60s & 70s soundtracks, spanning influences ranging from Piero Umiliani & David Axelrod, through to ‘On The Corner’-era Miles Davis and Mozart’s ‘Lacrimosa’. SHOLTO’s ability to channel these influences - recontextualising musical forms spanning over a hundred years and capturing a retro, analogue feel with a contemporary twist - is beautifully reflective of the record’s main theme. We caught up with Oscar to talk about creativity, the inspiration behind his work and how living and working in a city like London affect his creative output.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Oscar Sholto Robertson, I’m 30 years old , born and raised in south east London. I am a composer, drummer and producer.
What initially inspired you to pursue a career in music?
My parents took me to see a Buddy Rich memorial concert when I was about 10 years old. I was transfixed by it, seeing a big band is great because sonically it hits you like a slap in the face, I was hooked on watching the drummer, how he had such flair and it was so visual and physical and loud and he seemed to command this respect, he was marking the beats, I went straight home and like many before me starting banging on pots and pans. My family come from a theatrical background, so music and art was something that was just around from when I was young and at school it became a way of fitting in socially and finding my lane, I became tunnel visioned and knew I didn’t want to do anything else.
How would you describe your music style?
Id like to think my music style is Cinematic, Lush and Dreamy. I like ethereal and other worldly sounds, a hazy bed of strings or glissando harp on top of tight grooves does it for me.
Sholto ´Letting Go of Forever´ . Cover artwork by Eloïse Labarbe-Lafon.
What is your creative process?
It differs each time, but starts with a moving image, film clip or a dream in my mind, going round like a carousel. I make mostly instrumental music so it’s usually a certain mood or emotion I want to get across. I go into a place deep within myself. Almost a mediative frenzy, Sometimes ill come out of this daze and a whole piece will have transpired and I’m almost oblivious as to how I got there, it angers my musicians when they ask me what chord is next and I usually have no idea. I just sort of follow my nose, and go down that rabbit hole. Ive started to write a lot more at home, as oppose to my studio, so a lot of the orchestration happens just on midi which I then bring to my analogue studio and re do.
Could you tell us more about your beautiful debut album ‘Letting Go of Forever’.What was the inspiration behind the music and title?
Its a double Lp, 26 tracks - its expansive, its sort of a continuation of my last LP, The Changing Tides Of Dreams, its a look at the human condition. A exploration of light and dark. It was a realisation I had recently. It sounds painstakingly simple, but almost accepting that nothing lasts forever was such a freeing moment, expelling possession, expectancy, and just allowing yourself to be gratetul for the now has hugely helped me in life. It sounds like a slightly morbid sentiment but it’s very beautiful too, and that’s what I wanted the album to be, turning all the negatives in life into something pretty, a release via music.
How much does your city and surroundings affect your creative output?
I always try to take breaks from my usual routine which I’m lucky to get from touring every now and then. But to the most part, I live in my head, I like to go for walks sometimes and take photos, it calms me and allows me to take time to notice the small things that most people in the city just rush past every day. It’s usually on these strolls I have a flicker of inspiration. But I would not say my music sounds like London , or urban. It’s about escaping that.
What do you struggle with the most in terms of working and living in a city like London?
No surprise here but financially this city is crippling, 10 years of the last government have left it a very inhospitable place for smaller artists to be or thrive. Its upsetting. Growing up here, being from somewhere knowing I’ll never be able to own a place where Im from certainly gives me a sense of detachment and lack of love for this city. But hey at the end of the day it’s still London, everything is here, so you can’t knock it.
The responsibility of the council in every city is to provide a solid foundation of art and cultural facilities, is that still evident in London?
As I mentioned, the Tories took music, art and theatre off the education agenda. There’s no funding help like there is in other parts of Europe other than a few small grants from the musicians union etc. There are however some non council organisations and community centres such as Total Refreshment Centre and 5Db that are doing great things keeping music alive and well. Theres enough creatives here to always keep that fire burning but I wouldn’t say it’s largely helped by the council or government, venues and studios shutting down left right and centre.
If you could add or change something about London, what would that be?
Haha, more affordable, Cheaper transport to leave and enter London. deprivatise the trains, build more affordable housing, monitor lands lords more, they get away with cramming 7 people in a 4 bed house and charge them all a grand each. It sounds like I’m complaining, I’m not, there’s never a dull moment here, I feel lucky to live here but it’s hard work.
What would be your dream project?
Id love to be able to record my music with a full orchestra, I employ a lot of classical techniques but kinda fake it by just doing them as overdubs, it would be special to be able to get the whole ensemble in one room.
If you could choose any artist/creative to collaborate with, who would that be and why?
I have a few! Some I’ve already been lucky to work with on some level. Such as Malcom Catto. I feel the music I make lives in more of a niche small world and I’m lucky to have come in to contact with a lot of the people I admire and respect in that world. I would have loved to sit in or work with Pierro umuliani, or Henry Mancini or John Barry or someone more current would be Lil Simz or Kendrick Lamar - That would be fun.
Can you tell us about any future projects that you are particularly excited about?
Working on a record for my friend and harp player Rachel Kitchlew which I’m really buzzing about, also a collab I’m working on with an artist and pianist named Finn Rees.
What do you do to switch off?
Make more music, Go for a run and I’ve recently just started meditating.
What does home mean to you?
Ive spent a lot of time moving around, on tour, or as a kid a bit for my dads work, so I’ve always felt slightly uprooted, I felt most at home when I was on the move, but the older I get, its a place that’s safe and cosy and familiar surrounded by loved ones.
sholto - mixtape
a journey into Sholtos ear, a blend of library music, rare grooves, soundtracks and psychedelia
Describe the perfect day for you in London.
Describe the perfect day for you in London.
AM pastry and coffee from dusty knuckle bakery, a walk down the canal or through one of Londons many great parks. Off to the photographers gallery or the Tate and a walk along the embankment, Lunch at borough market , drinks at bar Italia in soho and then onto a late night jazz bar.
Sometimes people relate a specific smell to the city they live in or the place they grew up, does London evoke a personal smell to you?
There so many, its just this huge amalgamation of smells, kind of a polite assault to the senses. Not one thing comes to mind but I think the smell of pubs linger, that slightly stale smell of beer ! Mmm
Which professional or personal goals would you like to achieve?
Id love to keep releasing my own music, see a fan base grow and be able to take it on the road more and work alongside my studio partner David Bardon producing other artists we like. It would be cool to dip my toe in the scoring world for Film, we have done some advertising stuff before but a film would be a welcome challenge. In my personal life id love to quit smoking and eventually settle down and have a family outside of London.
If you weren’t living in London and could choose any city to live in where would that be, and why?
I recently visited my sister who was studying in Palma and I fell in love with it. Its sunny, its cheaper its more slow pace whilst still having some culture and entertainment.
Sholto ´Letting Go of Forever´ . Inside-cover artwork by Eloïse Labarbe-Lafon.
london by oscar `sholto' robertson
A selection of places in London - recommended by music producer and composer Oscar 'SHOLTO' Robertson. See Oscar's citylikeyou profile page here.
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