To coincide with the launch of his most evocative and uplifting single yet, we caught an interview with rising UK artist Euplasia – the NHS doctor and songwriter with a clear focus on the values and melodies that matter.
We talk about the inspiration for the stunning indie-pop single You Wonder, as well as being a multi-instrumentalist, balancing medicine and music, and the inspiration and influences that led to this. Euplasia also digs into his plans creatively for the year ahead.
Here’s how it went.
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Hey – massive congrats for the release of You Wonder this past week! An inspiring, hopeful and incredibly catchy indie pop single. What was the spark that led to the writing of this one?
Thank you so much — I’ve been incredibly excited to finally share this track. I chose to release it in the lead-up to Blue Monday, with the hope it might offer something uplifting and future-facing at a time when people often need it most.
“I wrote You Wonder from a few different viewpoints, but at its heart it’s inspired by my children — the paths they’ll take, the people they’ll become, and the mark they’ll make on the world.”
I think that sense of wondering about the future is universal, whether you’re a parent or not. I also wanted to celebrate the wonder of them as individuals and hopefully empower listeners to reflect on their own sense of possibility too.
Will you be releasing any live clips or performing this one in the coming weeks?
There are no immediate plans to perform the track live. My main focus right now is finishing the recording of my album over the course of this year, so there’s a body of music out there for people to connect with first.
Once the album is released, live performance will follow. At the moment, it’s really about balancing time – juggling work, family, and creativity.
How and where did that beautiful hook melody come to you?
Very unglamorously! It came to me straight after waking up – literally on my way to the bathroom – and the 1st line of the chorus melody just appeared in my head. I grabbed my phone and recorded it immediately as a voice note. There are all sorts going on in that original recording!
Interestingly, it was about three months before I came back to it properly. Once the story and emotional direction of the song clicked into place, the melody finally found its home.
Did you self produce the song, and are you a multi instrumentalist?
Yes – I’m a multi-instrumentalist, guitar and piano, and I self-produce all my music from a small desk tucked away in the spare bedroom.
Once I’ve completed the writing, recording, and production, I then bring in additional support for mixing and mastering to help give the songs their final polish.
For those who don’t know, when did you first start writing songs, and how does working in public healthcare impact your emotions or artistry at the helm?
I first started writing songs at 16, when I was in a band that went on to receive Radio 1 and Radio 2 airplay. After a few years the band split, and I made the decision to focus on building a more stable career.
That led to a long pause – almost 15 years where music took a back seat while I trained and established myself as a doctor. But over the past couple of years, I’ve managed to rebalance things, and creativity has all come flooding back. I’ve written over 40 songs in the last 18 months alone!
“Working in public healthcare is a huge privilege. You’re exposed to the full spectrum of human emotion and experience, and that needs an outlet. For me, songwriting is the most natural way to process and unpack those experiences.”
The biggest challenge, unsurprisingly, is time – but the emotional depth it brings is invaluable.
Conversely, do you find it hard to balance the expression and freedom of making music, with the perhaps more fact-based focus required for medicine?
I actually think they complement each other more than people might expect. While medicine relies on knowledge and evidence, it’s also deeply human – in many ways more of an art than a science.
That said, it can sometimes feel like living a bit of a double life, but one that I’m very grateful for.
What can you tell us about the next single to release?
The next single is an upbeat, indie-rock, guitar-led track – playful, energetic, and centred around trusting imagination over logic.
Like You Wonder, it’s inspired by my children and that sense of uninhibited creativity and imagination. We’re aiming to release it next month – fittingly on Pancake Day – which feels perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the song.
How did your family react to the warmth and wonder of this latest single?
They are genuinely amazed that something like this can come together from a small corner of a bedroom. It feels very special to them – and my kids love telling people the song is about them.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
“I’d just like to warmly welcome anyone who’s joining me on this journey. There’s plenty of new music on the way over the next year, and I really hope people enjoy what’s to come.”
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Find Euplasia on Apple, Instagram.
