Interview: Puma Blue

The London based singer-songwrire, Jacob Allen (Puma Blue) will release his debut album 'In Praise Of Shadows', on Feburuary 5th, 2021.

In this interview, he speaks about songs in his debut album, relationships with Tanizaki Junichiro's works, and more.

I am grateful that you have given me this kind of opportunity.

First, how did you get to know Tanizaki's 'In Praise of Shadows'? And, why did you name your debut album same name?

I think I first read Tanizaki's writing in 2016, but possibly 2015, and was incredibly drawn to his style of writing and the themes and concepts explored in this essay. I felt it really corresponded with my love for the theory of 'less is more' & the idea that darkness or 'void space' can be just as important, if not more important, to aesthetic integrity.
Previously, I think I was mostly inspired by the practice of applying Tanizaki's writing to focusing on the space when writing and producing my music, rather than just the notes and this bled into my artwork too.
But for the album, I came back to this book once again because the more I thought about it, the more it felt like the album was about accepting darker times I've been through in order to come out the other side to a better place. Embracing that darkness, 'the shadows', as part of what got me here, accepting it with grace.

How did you feel when you finished recording your debut album?

Elated. Exhausted. Relieved. Maybe a little frightened honestly. But mostly just a great sense of joy.

Your lyrics link to your own experiences, and you told that writing is 'cathartic' process before.What are good points or difficulties in writing lyrics based on your experiences?

I think it can be dangerous to be specific sometimes. I would never want to write about someone and for them to be uncomfortable with that. So I try to be vague about the details when I write lyrics, and specific about the emotions or the images. Usually the people in my songs remain anonymous or don't even know songs are written about them. I guess with 'Velvet Leaves' it was an exception but I really tried to keep my sister safe from any specific details being told.  

In other interview, you told that you tried to find new way to write lyrics. In your debut album, do you have any changes in making songs?

I really tried to write lyrics differently with each song. Some songs were stream-of-consciousness freeform poems. Some were much more deliberately written. But something I hadn't tried before that I did on at least two songs this time was sing meaningless words on the demo vocal take and then shape lyrics around those sounds and find the meaning after. In both cases, it helped me find things I wanted to say that were a little more buried before.
I was more experimental making the music this time too, but that's a whole other conversation probably... Mostly I just listened to myself more, and to others more too. Tried less hard, let the music speak through me instead, or something.

Which songs are the turning point for making your debut album?

What an interesting question. The ones I already had for years, some since 2014, were 'Is It Because', 'Silk Print', 'Oil Slick' & 'Already Falling'.

With only those songs and a couple of new ones I really struggled at first to hear how they could exist together.
But I think the turning point for the creative process was writing 'Sheets' because I realised I could finally write something joyful. I have always struggled to write about joy but it came so easy when I wrote 'Sheets' and it helped me to realise there was a whole other side to this album unexplored.

 

You often say Jeff Buckley had much influence on your music.
How he affected on your music and live performance?
(I love Jeff Buckley too! ‘Live at Sin-e’ is one of the best live albums.)

 

'Sin-é' is a beautiful record isn't it.
The most obvious thing is probably the way I sing. I never heard someone sing like that before I discovered him, and his range and soulful energy just transformed me overnight. I was so in love with his voice when I was 15, it encouraged me to be unafraid of my falsetto. Previously I was sad not to have a smoky voice but not any more. Later, as I grew up, Jeff had a far greater effect on me musically I think. He has really effected the way I'll express myself and experiment at live shows. He was completely unafraid and I have always loved to hear courage and dissonance in music. He was the master of those things during his time in my opinion. I think I realised you can be at the same time explosive and tender, and that keeps me inspired always.

I think you get many inspiration from many culture, not only music but also movies, animations, myth and more.
What works you can never forget for the rest of your life?

Björk's 'Vespertine'. Sade's 'Love Deluxe'. Jeff Buckley's 'Sketches for My Sweetheart The Drunk ' 2nd Disc. D’Angelo's 'Voodoo'. Radiohead's last 3 albums.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The final episode of Midnight Gospel. Joseph Campbell & The Power Of Myth.
Joan Miró's studio in Palma de Mallorca. I don't know if that counts because it's a place, but I'll certainly never forget it.
Honestly, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. I know it probably destroys my credibility but that film is stitched into my memory forever.

Puma Blue

Jacob Allen(Puma Blue) recorded and released 'Only Trying 2 Tell U' on SoundCloud in 2014.

He released debut EP 'Swum Baby' (2017), 2nd EP 'Blood Loss' (2018), and the live album 'on his own. (live at Eddie's Attic, Atlanta)' (2019).

He will release his debut album, 'In Praise Of Shadows' on Feburuary 5th, 2021. (link to pre-save/ pre-order: http://ffm.to/pb-presave)