Get To Know… Sprout

Sprout is a multi-faceted artist from Burnley, now based in London.  They’ve previously released as a solo artist but were keen to reassess their sound and direction.  Working with producers Katy Hustwick and Emilie Krogh, we booked them in at Middle Farm Studios in early October.  Read on to hear more from Sprout on the ongoing impact of their time together:

Congratulations again on taking part in ReBalance ’24. Looking back, how useful was your time at Middle Farm, Devon?

My time recording at Middle Farm was wonderful, it was so peaceful to be in the middle of nowhere while working on music.  We ended up incorporating a lot of the sounds from the farm into the tracks – like the birds chirping around the farm – which gave everything a cosy sound. Patrick and Pete are also absolute gems; they’ve created this incredibly special space that makes you want to create. It’s a magical place.

When you compare this with your previous recording experiences, do you feel your approach to writing was altered at all?

It was a really different experience this time.  I came in with three or four songs prepped, but we ended up focusing on one I hadn’t expected.  The studio had so much amazing gear – especially the piano and Rhodes – and it shifted how we approached the songs.  A lot of the ideas I’d prepped evolved in that space, using the equipment we wouldn’t usually have access to. I’m really happy with the music that came out of it, including some tracks that aren’t finished but have taken on new life in the process.  While I might not have a fully polished product like some others on the programme, I feel like my sound has been completely transformed by this experience, and I now have a real sense of direction – something I was struggling with before.

What were the benefits of working with Katy and Emilie on production?

I love working with Katy and Emilie!  It really mattered to me to collaborate with people I felt comfortable with, and I feel lucky to have had the chance to work with such brilliant producers.  As well as us naturally working well musically we also love each other’s company and one of the best things about this experience was to be recording in a space with people who made me feel so safe.

Do you think Middle Farm being a residential studio (and in the countryside) provided anything different for you when it came to being creative?

Yes, it’s worlds apart! I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to leave London and record at a place like Middle Farm.  There was something really special about being able to take a break and pick apples or go for a walk in the countryside.  I have a naturally busy mind, so being somewhere where all you can hear is total silence was really soothing, and that sense of calm played a big part in the creative process.

What have you learned from the ReBalance ’24 process so far – do you feel any different post-recording?

One of the main takeaways has been understanding that creating is all about what makes me feel the most comfortable.  A lot of this journey has been about discovering the spaces I want to inhabit, the people I want to collaborate with, and the routines that allow me to both desire and actually make music.  People sometimes forget that it’s a luxury to have the energy and resources to create, and for someone who has access needs and works a full-time job – balancing all of this has been a big challenge for me historically.

Without the support of ReBalance ’24, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to step into the studio and gain these experiences.  But beyond the financial support, I’ve been able to reassess balancing my time and energy.  With work and daily life taking priority, finding the mental space to figure out what works for me musically has previously often felt out of reach. So it feels good to be coming out of this process with a much clearer sense of how I can make music that feels fun, cathartic, and fulfilling.  Realising it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming – it can be an expression where I have agency, rather than something that leaves me feeling like a product in someone else’s hands.

Is there any advice you’ve been given over the years that you’d like to share with anyone starting out?

I’m not sure I have useful advice for anyone else, other than to be led by yourself and whatever makes you feel nice.

Do you have a favourite track you’ve recorded during ReBalance ’24? 

Yep, it’s called Chest.