From Bedford bumpkin to Spotify favourite, Alfie Templeman has rapidly risen to his rightful spot as indie’s latest it-boy. With musical talent to rival musicians three times his age, the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist recently embarked on the ultimate European gap year trip – where he was the entertainment.
“It’s not what most teenagers do,” said Templeman. The 19 year old was travelling to France after the interview, then onto Germany and the Netherlands, as part of the European leg of his tour.
“Touring at such a young age is also strange, but I suppose it gets me ready for when I want to go on tour in the future when I’m a bit older and stuff.”
“I’m trying not to think about it too much because it definitely weirds me out. It’s an odd one because I’ve just been growing up, really, but other people like what I’m doing and, well, I hardly know what I’m doing myself at the moment.”
Despite his doubt, Templeman certainly knows how to craft the perfect summer sound. His mollifying charm and boy-next-door energy beams through our conversation, just as it does his music. And we’re set to hear more, in his new album, Mellow Moon, released tomorrow.
Templeman’s first ‘full album’, Mellow Moon comes off the back of ‘mini-album’ Forever Isn’t Long Enough. But it’s clear from the snippets played on tour and the first two single releases ‘Broken’ and ‘3D Feelings’ there’s a new found confidence in Templeman’s coalescence of genres.
“A lot of people have enjoyed the singles so far. We started playing bits of the deeper cuts on the album and people liked that as well. So I’m really excited for it.”
With 14 songs on the album – almost twice the number on Forever Isn’t Long Enough – Templeman gave himself a large canvas to experiment with his musical identity.
“I’ve changed my sound up again. It’s got bits of the Forever Isn’t Long Enough sound in it, but at the same time there’s lots of different elements to it. I’ve had more time to kind of experiment and have fun with it.”
”It’s definitely a mix of genres because you’ve got the poppier songs, like ‘Broken’ and ‘3D Feelings’, but there’s also bits of light 70s, kind of proggy, fusiony parts.”
“There’s R&B and soul in there as well in the first couple tracks. So there’s lots of different sounds, but I think it comes together nicely. It all kind of sticks together.”
Templeman attempts to tread new lyrical paths as well: where some of his previous lyrics focused on trivial childhood crushes, his new endeavours relate to personal events in the teenager’s life.
“It’s a lot to do with mental health and things. That’s the main message of the record but there’s also more light-hearted fun songs that I’ve just put in there because I like them.”
“It’s something that I’ve never really touched upon before. But now I’ve done it, I really enjoy it and it helps to process things a lot. So I definitely won’t be stopping here.”
It’s Templeman’s pop-explorations that appears to be what keeps fans coming back for more: the two singles have over 5 million streams collectively and are designed to instantly set the aestival vibe. Bouncy beats transport the listener to a packed-out, sun-soaked field. The layered choruses – complete with bongos and twinkly percussion – provide a head bopping introduction to the album, whilst the funky bassline keeps the energy moving.
Alongside his tour, Templeman’s happy-go-lucky spirit will be playing his summer bangers to much larger crowds on this year’s festival scene.
“I’ve got many, many more songs to still learn ready for the festival season from the record. But I think it’ll be really exciting. There are quite a few bangers on there that we are yet to play.”
Closer to home, Templeman will be back in Sheffield in the summer for Tramlines, after missing last year’s weekend due to Coronavirus.
“It’s going to be wicked”, says Templeman. “I was disappointed we had to cancel Tramlines last year but it just means we’ll play extra hard this year to make up for it.”
“I love doing my gigs but also there’s something really special about festivals just because you play a set, then you go see all your favourite bands – and the weather is really good.
“Everyone’s just having a peaceful time and there’s also less setting up for bands to do because everyone shares the same kind of sound system.”
“I really do love playing festivals and just relaxing for the rest of the day – and it will be great to be back in Sheffield!”
Mellow Moon is out May 27th
