James Hazell, who is currently spearheading his most recent project Hazey, spoke to Luke Killick about his forthcoming new album, how he came to reside in Brighton, his ‘slacker pop’ sound, and how he looks great in a dress.

When did first know you wanted to be a musician?

My brother Gary is about twenty years my elder and he would show me bands like the Libertines and Oasis when I was very young. This showed me there was more to music than the Disney stuff that my sister would worship.

What made you choose Brighton as the place to pursue your musical ambition?

I played music in my hometown of Bournemouth for quite a few years. When my friends all decided to move Brighton way I thought I would jump ship with them. It was only after living here for a few months that I realised how much of a musical community there is here. I’m totally hooked on the scene now.

What are you up to at the moment music-wise?

I have just finished the latest Hazey LP, entitled Indigo Children. I wrote and recorded the album all from my bedroom studio. I like to use old tape machines to get a lo-fi warmth to the tunes. Now the album is finished I am focusing on getting it out to the wider world and booking some summer shows.

Got any gigs coming up we should know about?

We are currently in the process of booking some shows so just keep your eyes and ears open for some summer shows. There will possibly be a few acoustic sets here and there, as well as the full band.

Are you the sole songwriter or is it a group effort?

I wrote the whole album myself, and I also perform every instrument on the album recordings. When it comes to live shows the boys put their own touch to the parts but the basis of the tracks is the same as the album. I also took on the role of mixing engineer and producer for this album which was treading new ground for me.

Can you expand on the sound of the album?

I’d describe it as slacker pop. I like to build on a simple pop structures and follow it up with raw analogue recordings and vintage synths.

What inspired you to pursue that sound?

For the latest album I took a lot of influence from Real Estate and Mac DeMarco. Constant influences for me are singer-songwriters like Devendra Banhart and Justin Vernon who have managed to make a wide array of music with a range of different bands.

Who plays what in the band?

After finishing my first EP Summers, I took on my housemates and friends for my band. The line-up has since been settled with my housemate Ross Lanning (guitar) and my childhood friends Jack Watkins (drums), and Alex Debben (bass). They are all extremely talented musicians so they do put their own artistic flare on their individual parts.

You have a great video for your track Pixel Nobody. How did the idea for it come about?

My friend Julian Beresford recorded the video for me and it was a team effort to come up with the final storyboard. I just had the idea fixed in my head to have a dance routine fitting with the lyrics like an old school noughties school disco tune. Julian then helped with little ideas to make it more visually interesting, like the changing between night and day. The dresses were my idea, as always. I look great in a dress.

Hazey’s Facebook page: facebook.com/HazeyBrighton/

Music: soundcloud.com/hazey-3