To coincide with the release of the distinct new project See No Evil, we caught an interview with London-based songwriter PRI, to find out more about the creative process behind the music. Here’s how it went.

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Hi PRI – great to connect, thanks for the interview. To introduce things, how would you describe your approach to making music?

It’s a vital thing, like breathing or eating. You vomit up your insides into a song. 

What does the album SEE NO EVIL represent for you, and how did you settle upon this sort of raw, canned and minimalist style?

I guess thematically it’s about betrayal . Things not appearing as they seem and then a sense of feeling like hard done by, mis-sold. It’s an out of body experience, like a freeze sensation. Some of the songs deal with that paralysis. You can if you choose to, See No Evil. 

There’s also a thread going through it – all the interludes. All the things you get as a person of colour – questions about identity, your provenance. This constant need from the world for self definition. Where did you come from, why are you here. 

Sound wise my favourite album is Evol by Sonic Youth, I love 20 Jazz Funk Greats, Pre-Madonna. Things that sound like you’re listening to your Sony WM-150 on the Northern Line, the batteries might be going and the tape is broken. Like a truthful snapshot of all the crap going on in the city – which mirrors what’s happening in your mind.

Each track is just a few seconds in length, barely reaching the minute mark in most cases – what’s the reason for this in terms of your expression and musicianship?

“It’s not necessarily intentional, but I find the velocity of a short song appealing, it echoes what’s happening in my brain.”

What does the track Mother Fucker encapsulate, and why did you choose this as the one to highlight as a single?

I really like the rhythm of that- the stop starting nature of it. We made a video for with this corporate psycho character in it.

Is live performance a part of your plans as an artist, and do you get to perform much around London?

Would love to do a big spectacular stage show that told a story, very inspired by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush in their live settings.

What’s your biggest ambition with this music?

My biggest aim is to soothe people, make them feel less alone. That’s what music has always done for me and I would love for someone to hear it and feel better.

Is there anything else we should know about PRI and this latest release?

If you’re into it please check out the videos, I wanted to created a visual world, where the corporate psycho character looms large. He’s like Patrick Bateman meets Mr Bean. I was inspired by Sophie Muller’s videos for Eurythmics, Savage and Shakespeare’s Sister and also Mike Kelley.

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Find PRI on TiKTok & Instagram or visit the Website.