As the main protagonist behind Love Street, it may come as a surprise that Julian Clark chased his music dreams from age 15, but dropped them all to get his A levels and and began heading up a UK leading firm in its field, becoming a leading internation lawyer.
Now he's returned to music and teamed up with some close friends to form the band Love Street, and they have their new double sided single 'Moving On' coming out next month.
We got the chance to put some questions to Julian about the world of music, his decision to move jobs and more in an exclusive interview.
When did you realise you had a passion for music?
Almost from first memory. I started singing along to my Brothers record collection (doing lots of early Queen, Led Zep, Graham Parker and Bob Segar) from about the age of 10. I then sang in school and church choirs, being offered a scholarship at Lincoln Cathedral Choir School that my parents turned down. I taught myself to play piano from the age of about 13.
What is it about the art that you love?
The power and beauty of it. How music is an energy source that can really touch people and change their lives. It's ability to capture moments, memories and emotions. That and the feeling you get when you play for someone and feel how they are responding. There is nothing else like it.
How best would you describe yourself as an artist?
My main instrument is voice. With that I am probably best described as a soul singer. I always see myself very much as a rhythm player when it comes to keyboards and mandolins etc. I do however love to play Hammond. I am also very much a performance artist, heavily influenced by Peter Gabriel and Freddie Mercury.
You spent some time in your life as an international lawyer and have been named a leading lawyer in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners - did you enjoy your career whilst doing all of that?
Aspects of it, yes. I certainly enjoy the intellectual challenge. It's like getting paid to play chess. I also enjoy the range of people you meet and work with. Probably the most enjoyable aspect is the training and mentoring of junior lawyers.
Why did you decide to drop that for music?
I have spent my whole life bouncing between music and law. Music though is in my blood. It's been with me all my life and is the reason I believe I was born. I am always more at home when playing and singing. In fact I get lost in it, like cuddling up in a soft blanket. I also see it as vehicle to create change and add to people's lives.
Can you tell us about the creative process behind new double sided single 'Moving On'?
The great thing about Love Street is that the are 5 singers and we all write. The fact we all come from different musical backgrounds means our work crosses genres and styles. Everyone contributes to each piece and helps with the creative process.
With Moving On - this was though very much a piece which started with me. I was playing around with ideas in my home studio one night and the riff (played on Bouzouki) came to me. The lyrics about the Cornish industries followed - fishing, smithing, tin mining and droving. I wanted a piece that said something about Cornwall. Next came the real message in the piece, that life can deal us all blows and we may make wrong turns and decisions, but life can also deal a good hand, and when that happens you have to trust and go with the flow. Moving on, with no luggage tags attached.
In hope it's a message which others can hear and be inspired by.
Where do you draw inspiration or influence from for your music?
Life. Personal experience, sadness, loss, joy. The beautiful land of Cornwall. Spirit. That last one is a big one. The ancient Greeks spoke about the Muse. I believe that is real and out there. It may have different names for different people but the is a real source that you can tap into as an artist if you can still yourself sufficiently and learn how to listen.
What should those coming to see you at live gigs expect?
A great time and thoroughly entertaining show. But more than that. Something which will effect them deeply and will stay with them. We don't have a single number which does not have a real message. Every show is a real performance for us where we are aiming to give all we have to our audience.
What should we expect from Love Street going forward?
I honestly believe this band are going to become a house hold name. We have all worked very hard and waited a long time to get where we are and we believe we now have the right combination of personalities, styles and musicianship to make it. People have been kind enough to compare us to some huge names, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Elbow, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles. That's quite a mountain to aim for, but I think we can stand alongside such names and do them credit. But it's not about fame and fortune, it's about creating something as lasting and memorable as those heroes of music. Like all those bands we want to add to people's lives and become part of their memories and the place they turn to when they need comfort or encouragement.
Love Street's double-sided single 'Moving On' is available from August 1.