Singer Supercub speaks to Attitude
Up and coming pop guy Supercub chats to Attitude’s Fabio Crispim about his new single Dancing Inside, produced with Frankmusik.
First thing’s first: where did the name Supercub from?
It actually came from Swedish pop God Alexander Bard – the bearded genius behind the likes of Army of Lovers, Alcazar and Bodies Without Organs. He’s given me lots of great advice and guidance, and when he suggested ‘Supercub’ as an artist name, I thought it was a brilliant idea. It’s a cheeky nod to gay culture, of course, and given that I’m young and hairy with a little more to love, the term ‘cub’ seemed rather apt!
How would you describe your debut single, Dancing Inside?
It’s a big dancefloor-ready pop stomper full of quirky, quotable lyrics and an empowering, feel-good message. I wrote it myself, but it’s been produced by Frankmusik who’s worked with the likes of Ellie Goulding, Lady Gaga and RuPaul.
What was it like working with Frankmusik?
I’ve been a massive fan of Frankmusik since day dot, so it was a real pleasure to work with him. My tracks are all self-penned and I had a really clear idea of how I wanted them to sound, but it was great to have someone like Vince (Frankmusik) on board to help make my vision a reality.
Which other artists would you like to work with?
I’d love to work with someone like MNEK. I actually played him an early version of Dancing Inside and he loved it. I think we could create something really special together. The likes of Tom Aspaul, Bright Light Bright Light and Simon Curtis would all be dream collaborations, too. They’re all super talented and super lovely, and it’s great to see so many male artists doing their thing!
Who are your musical inspirations?
I know it’s terribly uncool to admit, but ABBA are an endless source of inspiration. Benny and Bjorn’s songwriting is sheer pop perfection, and I love the juxtaposition of uplifting music and melancholy lyrics. Cyndi Lauper is my absolute favourite solo artist, though, and she is an inspiration in every sense of the word. Musically, she’s covered every genre, and I love how she wears her heart on her sleeve. She has done so much for the LGBT community with her True Colors foundation, which helps homeless LGBT youth, for example. I like artists who make great music, but who also have something to say.
Where do you fit into the current pop climate?
I’m a bit of a square peg in a round hole, to be honest! I don’t fit the stereotypical pop star mould, and my music is very different to what’s out there at the moment. It’s pure unadulterated pop, and that is pretty rare these days.
What can we expect from a Supercub album?
I’m concentrating on the single at the moment, and I don’t want to get too ahead of myself. For all I know, there might not be an appetite for a Supercub album! But if I am lucky enough to make one, it’s going to be a really eclectic record. I’ve recorded four tracks with Frankmusik, so obviously they’d be on there. One track, All Kinds Of Amazing, starts off as a Time After Time-style ballad before exploding into a string-soaked, Kylie-esque chorus, and then there’s I Do Not Need A Man which is very anthemic but a bit more of a hip and understated toe-tapper. I’ve also recorded a track called To Russia With Love which is inspired by Russia’s anti-gay laws but sounds like a Girls Aloud stomper.
Are you worried about mixing politics and pop?
No. I think you’ve got to be true to yourself, and I’m not going to bite my tongue about something that I’m so passionate about. To Russia With Love was inspired by the country’s anti-gay laws, and I think it’s important to keep that conversation going. People are being hunted down and killed because of who they love, and we can’t just turn a blind eye.
The Dancing Inside video is great fun. Did you enjoy making it?
Oh yes! It was great fun! The main premise of the video is that I’m standing there looking slightly awkward, and that comes quite naturally to me! The video was shot by the super talented, super lovely YouTuber John Bird Media, and it’s very much in that fun, organic, vlog style that he does so brilliantly. As well as me and my cuddly-toy trousers, the video also features some hunky dancers and most excitingly, The Vivienne, who has just been crowned RuPaul’s UK Drag Ambassador! She is a total pro; humble and hardworking, and a real pleasure to work with. John shoots all of her videos too, by the way! They’re an absolute dream team! The whole video is just a really fun, feel-good affair, and I hope that people will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it!
Follow Supercub on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Soundcloud.
Words by FABIO CRISPIM