Singer Sean McGowan speaks ahead of Birmingham show supporting Billy Bragg
Musician, poet, active, there’s not much that Sean McGowan can’t do. Now, the Southampton-based poet is embarking on his biggest tour yet, supporting Billy Bragg.
“I’m not sure how Billy Bragg heard of me,” he admits.
“I was watching a John Peel lecture he was doing. He got asked a question about who’s the voice of the next generation and he named dropped me and I was like what? Billy Bragg knows I’m alive?
“I tweeted him afterwards to say thanks and he invited me to play Glastonbury.
"I’ve known him for a couple of years now and he’s helped me.
"He’s the real deal, what you see is what you get, he practices what he preaches.”
Though Sean often performs alongside a full band, he’ll be taking to the stage solo for these set of shows.
“It’ll be just me and my guitar," added Sean.
"Bill is also doing this one solo so we’ll be on an equal playing field.
"I love band and solo shows for different reasons. If I do a few tours solo I always push for bands shows; I like to mix it up.”
This year life has taken a step up for Sean, he’s signed his first record deal and released his first E.P Graft and Grief, which features the single Costa Del Solution.
“The idea for the song started when I was working in a call centre," explained Sean.
"I was 18 at the time and had people around me that were 26 and had degrees. They were dead intelligent and earning the same amount of money as me. All they would talk about was their holidays and I was like, 'are you serious?'.
“I sympathise with people who are in that position, it can’t be a great way to live. I would never begrudge people for wanting that lifestyle, but it was grim when I was tangled up in it.
"I had more money than I do now, but it’s much easier to wake up in the morning.”
Sean says that next year is going to get a lot busier, but things could be much different for the singer-songwriter.
“I nearly quit last year so I made a decision to go in this year with a lot more positivity," added Sean.
"I work at the local music venue, The Joiner in Southampton and a lot of people ask me, why are things taking off for you now? What are you doing differently?
"I truly believe things are picking up because I’m more positive. The things I would have moaned about before I’ve knocked on the head. If you want to make a positive different you’ve got to be positive person."
Sean McGowan will play Birmingham Town Hall, supporting Billy Bragg, on November 11, 2017.
By Sophie Sparham
