Singer/songwriter Aeris Roves is longing for connection on Two Inch Punch-produced "Feel Me"

Hailing from South Yorkshire and now based in London the singer/songwriter toured with Billie Eilish across Europe before he even dropped his first track. "Best Dressed Man" dropped back in the Spring, and while we've been stuck in a repeat loop, we still didn't know that much about the young artist.

Second single "Feel Me" hints at his growing potential, delivering emotionally deep and cutting lyrics with his signature croon. Alongside the nuanced production from Two Inch Punch, Roves is in prime position.

We caught up with Roves to chat about his musical education, new track "Feel Me" and the important things that go into songs, like his own, which make you feel something.



Tell us about your relationship with music and growing up, what were you listening to when you were younger?

I don’t come from a musical family. I was always around people that would listen to music for pleasure and I kind of listened passively until it took hold of me once I was old enough to understand and appreciate what I was hearing. It was early soul music that drew me in, with artists such as The Drifters sparking my penchant for melody.

When and why did you start making music and writing songs?
I’m not quite sure when I started writing if i’m honest - it was a gradual thing. I always enjoyed writing descriptive prose, it provided opportunity for expression. I did sometimes find that it could be limiting, I always tended to veer off course with what I was saying. Eventually I was advised to take up poetry which allowed me greater scope. I’d always been involved in performing through school choirs and shows and at some point i made the transition from poetry to music and began performing my own music when I had the chance. I find it difficult to act on emotions sometimes, so I write.



You’re now based in London, but grew up in Yorkshire, why the change?
I moved to London when I was 10. I guess a combination of events, both positive and less positive, made it clear that it wasn’t the place for me to continue growing. I feel it’s important to develop freely sometimes - I was interacting with addiction, not personally, but I was close enough that I was experiencing the secondary impacts. The decision was made that I would make the switch, it was initially meant to be for 6 months, but it ended up being indefinite. I needed to see another side to existing.

You’ve worked with Two Inch Punch on both of your tracks, how did this collaboration come about?
I started working with new management last year - it was through my manager that I was introduced to TIP. She is really creative and suggested that we would work well together. I went down to his studio one day and played a few songs on my guitar. He seemed to like them so we had a session. Now we just play pool or go bowling, occasionally taking breaks to make a song or two.

We saw you support Billie Eilish at Heaven, how was that show and that whole tour for you?
Phenomenal. I learned a lot, travelled a lot and got to meet some cool people.

You’re inspired by Frank Ocean, so how does it feel to have your music likened to his at this early point in your career?
I have many inspirations, but his music has been one of them, he pushes boundaries which i feel is important for both our industry and the greater good in. Early comparisons are interesting, I’m still trying to find my identity so I’m excited to see how things develop.



Before you dropped “Best Dressed Man” you shared the iPhone demo and ahead of “Feel Me” you teased a clip from a studio session, why share these intimate, unfinished products with the world?
Because the emotions that spawned the song are intimate and unfinished. I guess the recordings just offered a different environment for listeners to connect with what I was feeling.



For “Feel Me” take us through it’s journey, where did it start, what’s it about and how did it end up like this?
I was longing for someone's love. I couldn't explain why so I wrote ‘Feel Me’ and was just like "here is a song, this is how I feel?"

What’s the most important thing to you as an artist about making music?
It can be difficult to transcribe my thoughts, so i guess i just aim to be accurate in my depictions. If I fail that then I’m just trying to enjoy being creative.

You’re building up to an EP release, how’s that going and what can we expect from this longer body of work?
It’s more likely to be a collection of songs. The ideas are constantly evolving so I can’t really say too much otherwise I’d be misinforming you. Vulnerability is a strong theme right now however, especially in the male form.