Joel Culpepper shares the second track from his forthcoming EP, "Casual Lies"

"Casual Lies" comes hot on the heels of "Free" featuring Tom Misch, which is also set to feature on the forthcoming EP, Happiness Is Only A Few Miles Away. The EP is the first new music from Joel since the release of his 2021 debut album, Sgt Culpepper.

The video for "Casual Lies", directed by Raminta Ceponyte, takes place in Culpepper's local watering hole, The Ivy House in Nunhead, and features appearances from those nearest and dearest to him – including his own mother tending the bar.

Talking about the impetus behind the track, Joel Culpepper explains: “"Casual Lies" is a truthful tonic to one’s self that we can fall short of getting into a habit of telling ourselves and loved ones casual lies to avoid immediate pain. The truth hurts. I feel this song provides the vehicle and place that something important has passed and is no longer present. A common and maybe familiar story and merely a statement that life does indeed go on.”

The creation of the Happiness Is Only A Few Miles Away EP began while Culpepper was on tour with Tom Misch last year.

The two had originally become friends after Misch heard the song, "Afraid To Be King", which he loved. "He got in touch and we had a decent sesh, nothing more, nothing less really,” explains Culpepper. “He was working on his joint album with Yussef [Dayes] that I provided a few backing vocals for. What felt a bit kismet is Tom and I from that point on just kept bumping into each other, quite randomly too. Both from South-East, I honestly think we were meant to be friends primarily. The music then built naturally on top of that. We became family.”

"Free" was the first track they recorded with legendary American soul artist Eddie Chacon (of Charles and Eddie) in LA. The bulk of the rest of the EP was recorded at Misch’s home studio as well as Culpepper’s friend’s studio in Perry Vale and Jimmy Napes Studio in North London.