Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with John Whitmore

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

Listening to and dancing to all kinds of music all the time and everywhere

How did your passion for creating music begin?

It was always with me, but the spark to do it came one morning late 2024, when I chose to create a song from the lyrics in my head. The song became Really Me, which is about my struggle as a man in a wheelchair, to accept the struggle others must see beyond my disabilities

What’s the story behind your current music project?

After releasing my first album, Time to Reflect, in early 2025, new songs about family, love, loss and self-doubt just seemed to flow out of me. The focus of the last three were love, the current track “I Miss You” follows my track “Noy You’re Gone” s introspective look at the consequence of the loss of a loved one. They come from my own experience, but also from things I tuned into from my mother before and after she passed

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

To bee honest I’m still discovering my musical identity, at the next album that I intend to release will be more Punk-Rock, Grunge inspired, which is strong contrast to what I would refer to as my discovery phase, which is inspired by the more folky, unplugged and hint of country style that I also love.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

The one thing that I have learned most, is that the lyrics that contain a story and a message, and the substance that give the song the needed structure and basis to engineer a sound that could be punk, but also folk, whilst remaining in a flow that can be followed and enjoyed. Of course, with each new song, I learn a little bit more.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

Due to my disabilities, I am limited in choice to which instruments I can play, but I do use the LibreLive C1 to try and create some kind of structure. However, for the same reason, and because of my passion for tech and the possibilities it opens to people like me, I use Virtual instruments in Logic Pro to learn and compose ideas and to finally master my tracks, but in the end, I do use AI to create the final composition. I know this is still a hotly debated topic, however, for me it as enabled me to share my passion with those who want to hear the results.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I am currently loving the music coming from the UK that is inspired by the Sleaford Mods, for example, Big Special, but I also love tracks coming from artists such as, Mt. Joy, Jesse Welles, and many more. But if I had to pick a single track, it would be Messy from Lola Young. Not only is the song something I can relate to, but she’s also an amazing example of how to be, i.e. yourself.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

My first album was full of reflections on my life experiences. It tackled my mental health issues, the feelings of despair at being viewed differently, just because I am in a wheelchair, with my love and feelings of guilt toward my family.

The newer songs are drawn from my experiences and questions about love, death and conflict.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

My main hope is that listeners find the emotional connection that they need when listening, and that the lyrics speak to them in a way that they can resonate with, be through the love, loneliness or gratitude that I try to portray.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

The lesson I most gain from music is that it is probably one of the most powerful and influential means of sending a message to a multitude of different kinds of people, with the chance for everyone, from everywhere to understand that we are all just the same really, and that we are symbiotically connected, and then when we share the same uplifting experience through music, we can be one.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I would love to be able to play live, or have my music played live at Alexander Palace in London, or on any stage at Glastonbury.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

My instinct was to say Thom Yorke, because he and his music has always been present throughout my life, but also because of his unprecedented talent in all forms of music creation. But the truth is I would honestly love to have a super group of my heroes, including Thom, Nick Cave, John Grant, Damian Rice, John Squire, Josh Homme, …. .

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

https://www.peterjohnwhitmore.com