Scott Lloyd is seeking serenity in the Northern rural landscape on his new quest for happiness.
As Scott Lloyd stepped into his 30s he started searching for a new path, and his newly released, Waterlands, is the audible proof of his new discoveries. Having spent the past decade working as a full time musician, he began to realise that chasing the industry was actually hindering his creativity. Waterlands sees Scott coming to terms with change and the beginnings of a new chapter as he swaps urban noise for the countryside. He has rediscovered his creativity with a soundscape and lyrics inspired by natural beauty and his new record feels like a self-assured confession that he’s finally finding his place in this world.
Originally hailing from the northern town of Middlesbrough, Scott has fully immersed himself in Manchester’s legendary live music scene and singer-songwriter community for the past 10 years, releasing his music to critical acclaim, including his self-titled debut album in 2018 and headlining shows in some of the city’s most career-defining venues. As a musician, the announcement of lockdown in 2020 turned his life upside down and left him without work, but when he began volunteering in the grounds of Cheshire’s Dunham Massey Estate it sparked a strong sense of inspiration that he had not felt for a long time. While everything else around him gradually returns to the status quo, Scott is seeking serenity and redefining his understanding of true happiness.
About the record, Scott explains,
“This album feels like my love letter to the rural side of life. I have grown a passion for all things nature related. Walking, gardening, bird watching, fishing and an all round love of nature & wildlife are things that have become a mainstay in my life, and they have become more important since the first lockdown in 2020. Nature was a huge solace for me when all my gigs and work quickly vanished. Daily walks and being out working in the garden changed my life for the better. The album isn’t entirely about these loves, but each song became more of a reality to me from the calmness, happiness and wonder that the outdoors brought me, and through that the songs came into being.”
A very personal record, Waterlands grapples with emotional themes of growing up, mental health and loss. The tracks journey unapologetically through an eclectic range of genres with notable influences. While lead single ‘Miss You Dearly’ feels like a nod to Bruce Springsteen with its 70s inspired rock beat, the title track ‘Waterlands’ embodies a traditionally folk waltz, and the sounds of British rock seep through with the grunge guitar on a track like ‘Running’. Waterlands is a stunning and introspective exploration of what it means to be true to oneself.
