JP Cooper on a year of global hit September Song and collaborating with Stormzy on his debut album

September. It's the month that has inspired some pretty memorable songs over the years, most recently September Song by Manchester singer-songwriter JP Cooper. 

What is it specifically about that month? "It's probably something to do with it being the end of summer but not yet winter, it's a time when things are changing," he told us when we phoned him up for a chat. 

Now one year on from September Song's release (yep it was released September 2016), and, just as the storm around the track was settling, its plays are ramping up again for obvious reasons.

Ahead of the release of his debut album Raised Under Grey Skies later this year, he's also been announced as Vevo's latest LIFT artist - the video platform's programme that throws the spotlight on fresh new talent in Britain.

“I can’t quite believe it’s September again already!" JP said. "It’s been an amazing, incredible year. When labels sign artists they have different expectations of them – I don’t think anyone expected I would have success as early as I did. We’re just trying to make the most of it.”

Did you expect your output as a musician to be this slow? It’s difficult to put out another song when people are still enjoying your current one.

“It’s a weird one because that song just keeps going. It was staggered as well, so by the time we got going with the next single Passport Home, radio was only just picking up September Song. I feel like everyone’s in sync with the new single She’s On My Mind, so we’ll see how that goes. It’d be great to get another big one in the bag.”

Do you think September Song pull an Earth Wind & Fire and get revived at the same time every year?

“It would be great - that’s what I’m hoping. People don’t really know I originally released it last September – it didn’t really take off until December/January.

You’re Vevo’s new LIFT artist, and your first video feature sounds very emotional.

"It’s so cool, I’m really happy about it. We’ve just been filming some documentary-style stuff back home Manchester as well as some live performances. It was all very northern. It’s nice to think about my music a bit more autobiographically.

The subject matter is quite heavy, but I like to think of it in a positive way. The way I was raised, it wasn’t a heavy situation, it was something I found beauty in. I feel lucky to see the world through the eyes in the way I was raised. I think it’s quite uplifting and inspiring.”

You described it as being “very northern” – is that how you’d describe your album as well?

“I don’t know what people think when you say that. I think people are still stuck in the nostalgic Madchester thing, which was definitely an influence on me. If you dig a little deeper though, a lot of the album sums up how northern people make the best of the situation they have. There are a lot of different colours, feels and topics in there though.”

In some ways it feels like you’ve been positioned as more an international act…

“I know what you mean. Since the Jonas Blue feature [collaborating on Perfect Strangers], then following it up with September Song, the label seemed to think there was something there with me. I think I was a bit of a 'suck it and see' kind of signing. It wasn't a big money deal, it wasn’t like every record label was after me, which is why I’m so grateful to Island Records for taking a chance on me. To go from that to being a global priority does feel amazing.”  

As well as September Song, you’re on and co-wrote Perfect Strangers. Were you into dance music before or are you embracing it a bit more these days?

“Completely, I was never into dance music before - I thought it was just a writing job. I was sent the backing track and we wrote some lyrics and demo vocals in a day and Jonas liked it, and I thought that was that. Then the label asked if they could use my vocal. I had to have a real think because I’ve never done that sort of commercial dance stuff before.

"In the end, I thought, in the name of musical freedom, I’m just going to do it. It’s taken me to Ibiza and all sorts of places. People have told me it was their song of the summer. It made me realise I was being a bit egotistical before, thinking I had to make one type of music only.”

Was that what encouraged your to collaborate with Stormzy on the song Momma's Prayers on your album? That’s pretty unexpected.

“I’m not a huge grime fan but I love hip hop and spoken word – I love the craft and penmanship. With Stormzy, he started showing up at my gigs ages ago and for a while we’d been saying we should collaborate. We were meant to be writing something for his album but didn’t finish it, but we managed to get together again and make a great song. It’s the last track on the album and I really, really love it. If it were up to me, we’d put a spotlight on it around Christmas time, but timing isn’t really my strong point!” 

JP Cooper releases his debut album Raised Under Grey Skies on October 6. Follow his series of exclusive videos on Vevo.