Not only does ‘Brave’ mark Mister Chorister’s debut effort, but it also signals his return to music after a whopping 30-year absence. Originally from Australia, the keen musician and songwriter enjoyed performing and writing from an early age, only to then embark on a completely different direction in life. Fast forward to today, and he’s settled down in London, UK, where Christopher Brammer has seemingly found his creative flair again. We’d argue that artistic expression is a basic need for any sensible individual out there, especially in such complex and gloomy times.
‘Brave’ gives Mister Chorister a voice; it gives him a way to communicate with the wider world. Built on popular and catchy pop-rock influences, the track feels uplifting and dynamic, even quite anthemic. Such an electrifying production works well with the meaningful lyricism that crowns it all. You see, ‘Brave’ seeks to highlight how crucial it is to believe in resilience and hope, and the need to take a leap of faith when required. That’s exactly what Mister Chorister just did: he took a leap of faith into his music, and it worked out rather well.
Intrigued by the project, we caught up with the London-based troubadour to learn more about his artistry and personal circumstances… interview below!
Hey Christopher, thanks for chatting with us! People might know you as the talented human behind Mister Chorister, a project that has recently released its first single, ‘Brave’. Although this can be considered your ‘debut’, the song is the arrival point of a decades-long journey that ultimately brought you back to art and music. I’d love to learn more about such a process.
Let’s start from the beginning: you were born in Australia. What first pushed you towards music? Are there any artists or bands that you used to love back then?
Growing up in the 70s and 80s meant music was everywhere in our house. Dad listened to folk and country artists like Don McLean, Paul Simon and Johnny Cash, while my mum loved big pop voices like ABBA, Nana Mouskouri and The Jackson 5. It was an amazing era where music felt completely immersive.
We were all big fans of Australia’s equivalent version of ‘Top of the Pops’, called ‘Countdown’, hosted by Molly Meldrum. Molly was a huge character, as were loads of musical acts of that era. I would spend my whole weekend in record shops looking at albums, searching and admiring two-page splits that opened like a book to reveal whole story lines, whole worlds to immerse yourself in. Most of all, I was enthralled by The Wall by Pink Floyd. All that even before you got to the music itself!
In terms of playing music, it wasn’t until I was about 8 or 9 when someone came round the public school with an aural test, which I passed, apparently! The prize was classical guitar lessons, which I hated! And I consider hate a VERY strong word. Classical is so hard, but I quickly moved on to contemporary guitar with the school’s folk guitar teacher, and as I learnt to play, I fell in love with songs, in how they were crafted, especially if they told a story. You never forget the first songs you learnt. Mine were ‘Soul Cake’, ‘Streets of London’ and ‘One Tin Soldier’. A few beautiful melodies and stories there.
You then stepped away from music entirely and moved to the UK. I guess life became busy, perhaps you built a family around you… We suspect the passion and love for music might have always been there, bubbling under the surface of the daily grind…
Indeed. My decision to step away from anything artistic was enshrined in fear. Fear of not being able to support myself, fear of not living a ‘comfortable’ or ‘secure’ life. That is the other side of me. The side I know I need to step away from, at least in part, if I want to follow my purpose.
This really is the essence of what ‘Brave’ is about.
Fast forward to today, three decades later, and something calls you back to active music-making. Was there a specific catalyst behind such a return? Or perhaps a series of circumstances?
Yes, it really came from a moment of reflection. There comes a point where you look back at the decisions you’ve made over decades, the right ones and the wrong ones, and start asking yourself whether you truly followed the path you were meant to. For me, that moment brought music back into focus in a very powerful way.
‘Brave’ is now out in the world. What does the song mean to you? Are you proud of how it turned out?
I’m immensely proud of this debut. I think it’s the perfect debut, well, for me anyway. I think it’s something deserving of a 30-year wait. But it’s something that has bubbled up from 30 years of life experience. I’ve cried so many times listening to this track because I know what it’s taken to turn around on those decisions from 30 years ago.
Your singing abilities are pretty good. Did you feel the need to brush them off after three decades? Did you work with anyone in that regard?
I often relate to something John Lennon once said about not liking the sound of his own voice. In fact, one of the reasons I shied away from developing as an artist was because I would often hear people comment that my voice was a bit like Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam. And I’m a huge fan of both. But I used to think there was already a Cat Stevens.
I was in the school choir back then and remember getting the lead in ‘Oliver Twist’, so I had that sort of grounding. But coming back, I knew I would need support and have been working with vocal coaches Malin Andersson, Natalie Oliveri and Valentina Pappalardo at the Hoxton-based school City Vocal Coach over the past 2 years. These lovely women are all incredible artists that you should check out!
The music industry has changed a lot in the past 30 years. Thinking back to when you were a kid, what are some of the things you miss, and the ones you don’t? I’d love to hear your point of view on that.
I love this question. It’s what I said earlier: sitting down as a family to watch ‘Countdown’ and the endless hours in record shops exploring or discovering your (new) favourite artist. Today, it’s a very different world. But something humans are really good at is rising to the new challenges and problems we face.
Are you planning any upcoming releases?
Yes, an exclusive for you. The next release is a song about inspiration and where it comes from. Can’t say exactly when. Last touches are being applied now, and so hopefully very soon. Two more are already recorded, so the plan is to release every 6-8 weeks.
Lastly, you are set to make your live debut at the Amersham Arms in London, on April 2nd. I know the venue well, and I wish you good luck! Will you perform solo or with a band? Are there any other shows on the horizon?
Thank you so much. It’s been nice to reflect on what has brought me to this point. Yes, the show at the Amersham Arms will be a solo performance. Just me and my blue Casino, sharing the songs in their most stripped-back form. It feels like the right way to introduce Mister Chorister live for the first time.