Luke Brandon Field
Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Rufus Wainwright. All of these amazing artists have worked song writing supremo Guy Chambers. Now joining the pantheon of these greats is actor, model and singer Luke Brandon Field.
With the release of their infectious summer ditty Hanky Hat on Monday, we had an exclusive chat with the multitalented Londoner.
So how excited are you about the release of your first ever single?
It’s unbelievable; it’s a dream come true y’know. Words can’t describe it, especially working with Mr Chambers.
Guy Chamber’s is such a massive name in the music world, how did this collaboration come about?
I met him through a mutual friend of ours and we just met him at a music night in London and we just got talking. He and the mutual friend had an idea for a track they’d been working on, but they didn’t have any lyrics. I used to be in a band before I was an actor and I said “Well, I could give it a go.”
And he said fine, so we went down to the studio in Primrose Hill and we worked on it together. It was a really creative process which was quite quick. It only took us 4-5 hours in the studio to so, which is unbelievable which just shows you the genius of him really.
Was it intimidating at all working with Guy, considering his track record?
Very much so. Like, I literally walk into the studio and you’ve got all this platinum and silver discs for Robbie, Tina Turner and all these great artists and I was like “Wow, what am I going to do.” And then when he started putting the tack down, you’re in the box and you’re like “Gosh, I really don’t know what I’m doing here, am I doing it right.”
He’s really supportive though and it’s such a great honour to work with someone like that, you can only learn from them.
Is this just a one-time collaboration or something bigger?
We’ve spoken about possibly doing another single, but it depends on we do with this one. Guy deals with so many different genres and ranges of music though; I’d like to explore that. This track’s very summery and poppy, which I love.
I think that’s really great, and I really want to firm myself up in that market. Maybe even go a little more ska-tinged, a bit more like Madness. A lot of people say the tracks sound like Madness; I want to get more in that. They’re one of my favourite bands and one of my biggest influences.
So, have you ever considered using a hanky for a hat?
(Laughs) I think it’s one of those things, it’s a really hot day and you want to cover your head but you don’t have a baseball cap or a hood, obviously, but it’s so hot. You don’t want to burn so it makes sense, granted it is a bit German tourist in Magaluf, but I think it could catch on.
It’s a cool hat, you can tie it so why not? If we get someone like Agyness Deyn or Henry Holland wearing it then boom! I’m just the start of it.
The video’s all one long shot, was that hard to get right?
Yeah. We had a couple of rehearsals, getting everyone in the right place, it was laborious. The worst thing about it was that when we started shooting it was a beautiful day, but the weather’s so awful at the minute and it literally started caning it down on the last two takes.
You can’t have a summer song when it’s raining in the background, although it is very English. But, we wanted to convey this sort of summertime, block party vibe happening. I think the video turned out quite well considering the time and weather problems.
You said you were in a band before you took up acting, what happened then?
I was in a band when I ended school and it was great, we were an indie band. I went to the same school as some quite famous bands now such as Bombay Bicycle Club and Cajun Dance Party. They were a couple of years below me and the whole indie thing was taking off.
Then I realised that I loved acting. I love music and I love singing too, but I wanted to learn how to become an actor and it was important for me to go to acting school rather than focus with the band, which was a shame, but it comes full circle basically.
You studied acting over in America. How come?
At the time I got presented with a scholarship from UCLA, and you just don’t turn down a scholarship to UCLA to do drama. There seemed more opportunity out there at the time and I wanted to explore a different lifestyle. I was telling people at university there, I’m born and raised in London and it’s a great place but to really kind of mature and get a sense of yourself, moving to another city’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done.
With this single coming out, is acting still your main focus?
It’s always going to be acting, I love it. I mean, I love singing, but it’s my job. I’m an actor by trade. But how many actors turn into singers and singers turn into actors or rappers? The two are very much together, they’re very close. Even back to David Soul in the 70s, who was in Starsky and Hutch and had number one hits.
I don’t think you have to be pigeon holed as an actor or a singer. I think you can do whatever you feel like you can add creatively to culture. I’m very honoured and glad that I can do this and hopefully the song will have a resonance with people.
You also do some modelling right?
I started modelling when I was a lot younger and I don’t think male models are taken that seriously. I think that’s quite hard for a lot of people. People get into it because that’s the way they can express themselves and people also find there’s good money.
I do it now more as a spotlight for my own career rather than just being an unknown model. I don’t think there’s any shame in it whatsoever, if you’re a good looking girl or fella then go for it.
So, wrapping up, what’s up next for you?
I’m shooting a TV show in August that’s based on the prequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula and that should be coming out next year. I’m playing Jonathan Parker, who’s the character that Keanu Reeves played in the film, so that should be cool.
And then I’m also in talks for one of the leading roles in a movie based on the novel The Highgate Vampire which has just been published by the people who do Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. So I’m going to pretty vampired up! Hopefully if the single does well then I’ll be straight back into the studio with Guy and work on something else. Maybe even a duet with someone.
Oh, anyone in mind?
There are certain people I’d love to duet with, like Eliza Doolittle. She’s from the same area, and she’s pretty cool so I’d love that. But we’ll see.
Hanky Hat is out from Monday 16th July.
FemaleFirst Cameron Smith
Tagged in Guy Chambers