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Chicago-based alt-pop singer/songwriter, Luke Underhill is what would happen if John Mayer and Ben Folds met in a bar – Underhill’s vocals instantly memorable with that replay button never far away on any of his tracks.

Already an established self-released back catalogue, including Atlas and Atlas Unplugged along with the single Too Good for Me, last August Underhill released a new EP and the first on Revolver Recordings entitled The Left Side featuring the lead single in I’ll Be Waiting and the ever-so-infectious Wish.

Luke Underhill recently had a chat with AMNplify about all things music. Check it out below!

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Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music?

It was a passion that grew over time. I always admired Bruce Springsteen and the way he controls the crowd, but I think it was seeing the AC/DC Live from Donington DVD. Watching the crowd go nuts for Angus Young, when he first appears on stage, is what really got me hooked. I wanted to experience that feeling too.

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How would you best describe your sound?

I never know how to answer this question because I don’t have a real answer. The quick answer is just rock pop or alternative pop. I’ve been told I have a sound composed of several styles: rock, pop, soul, punk and classic. I just try to make the best music I can when I write.

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Who are your main musical influences?

I have a lot! Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, HAIM, Ed Sheeran and Ben Folds. Ben Folds will always be my biggest influence. He has the biggest impact on my performing style and my all around personality on stage. If only I had his chops on piano!

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What is the inspiration behind Wish?

Wish came from a feeling I’ve never really had myself. It was a tough song to write lyrically. I was spending time with a couple friends of mine who have been dating for quite awhile. The love they have for each other is really cool to see. We were all talking and he said something along the lines of “I could not have wished for a more perfect person to spend my life with”. That is the essence of the song. Wishing for love, a big house, a garden full of roses… but it’s the person you want to share all of that with that you’re really wishing for.

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What are the themes explored on The Left Side EP?

I’m not sure if there is one specific theme. I just tried to write a couple of good tunes that would connect with my listeners and my fans. So, what I did for a couple songs is watch some classic rom-coms and get inspiration from the stories these characters were acting out.

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How does The Left Side differ to what you’ve released in the past?

The biggest difference is the production behind the album. I always self-produced my old stuff and never really had a team behind me. So many amazing and talented people worked on this album that I almost feel like I didn’t do enough. Mikal Blue and everyone at Revolver Studios made my songs into everything I thought they could be and more.

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What inspires your song writing?

Everything. Inspiration is everywhere. It just depends on what I am feeling and what I want to say. I try not to write from very personal places. If I do, I try and look at it from someone else’s point of view and write it like a storybook rather than a diary. I think the more I write and the more I grow as an artist, the more personal I will become in my songs.

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What has been your most memorable career highlight to date?

I’ve done some cool things. I headlined the House of Blues in Chicago when I was 18, I also got to play live on WGN (a virtual news channel based in Chicago) with over 2.5 million households watching and I even get recognised at bars and the airport which is super cool. The best experience I’ve had though; is flying out to Los Angeles and recording this last album under Mikal Blue. It was a dream come true. I was playing in the big leagues! Artists that I grew up on and look up to would just appear out of nowhere and talk to me about what I was working on. It was a trip I’ll never forget.

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What is something you would like to achieve career-wise that you haven’t done yet?

All I’ve ever wanted from my career is success. I don’t need a Grammy, I don’t need to be on magazine covers and I don’t need to live in a mansion on a hill. All I want is to be able to support myself and my family. I don’t need to be recognised at every street corner I stand at, but if one person reaches out and tells me that my music made a difference in their life, that’s all I need. I want to help and make a difference.

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If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be and why?

The Hollywood Bowl has always been and will always be my ultimate goal. To be able to play a historic venue like that would be a surreal experience. Other places like Madison Square Garden and the Glastonbury Festival would be incredible, but The Bowl is what I want. If I am ever lucky enough to play there, it will be the best show I am capable of putting on. Guest appearances and all!

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AMNPLIFY – DB