During lockdown, Bars and Melody have been working on new music with their recent album Carpe Diem being released in January, with listening parties being held online for fans to interact with the duo – Suhtorii and Charlie – and hear their new album. Last year, Bars and Melody released their Sadboi album and were due to tour before the pandemic paused the live music scene but they are hoping to get back to live shows as soon as they can. At the start of their career, Bars and Melody came Third in Series 8 of Britain’s Got Talent after receiving Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer and returned for BGT: The Champions in 2019, where they reached the Finals. We caught up with Bars and Melody about their new album Carpe Diem, holding listening parties for the release and their return to Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions.

You’ve recently released Carpe Diem, can you tell us more about it and how long were you working on the release?

Suhtorii – We started making music from home at the start of lockdown, it gave us the time to learn some essential skills. I’d say start to finish the album took a month.

Charlie – The time spent on the album really wasn’t a lot. We’ve really sped up our production and release process. It’s more relaxed, more vibey and more chilled. It feels very true and very us due to us doing a big proportion of the project ourselves.

You held listening parties online, what were these like to do and how was it seeing the response to your new music?

Suhtorii – Listening parties are a great way for us to stay engaged with our fans over the course of lockdown. People seem to be really liking the new music.

Charlie – It was interesting. Of course we enjoy doing real release parties but this is a great compromise during these COVID times… it was great to see our fans’ reactions to the album live.

Who do you think Carpe Diem will appeal to and how would you describe your new music?

Suhtorii – I have no idea who I think our new album will appeal to, I just hope someone, haha.

Charlie – I would say people around our age, it’s love trap/pop trap. I would say it’s a hugely popular genre right now and we fit into it nicely.

What was it like working on your video Santorini x Little Missy and how have you found working on new music during the pandemic?

Suhtorii – The Little Missy x Santorini video shoot was a lot of fun. Although it was so cold that day, those songs are bops.

Charlie – It was very cold, coldest day of the year, but a great experience. It was so much fun and we had so much input on the creativity, it’s great to see a personal vision become reality.

Your album Sadboi was released last year, did you have a favourite track to record and how did it feel releasing a new album?

Suhtorii – Sadboi is a milestone album for us, it marked a time in our career where we were not happy and releasing this new album was a statement for us.

Charlie – Addicted is my favourite from the last album. It’s a very catchy song and I still play it a lot to this day.

You were due to tour last year, which couldn’t go ahead due to the pandemic, what are you looking forward to most for performing your new music when venues are able to reopen safely?

Suhtorii – I just can’t wait to step on stage again and have them sing all our songs back to us.

Charlie – Just being on the road again. I’ve missed touring so much. I’ve been touring non-stop since I was fifteen so to not tour for a year has been tough and sad. But it’s made me appreciate it more and I can’t wait to go again.

What’s it like performing your music live around the world?

Suhtorii – It truly is a dream job, and we are very grateful.

Charlie – The best feeling in the world. You cannot describe the feeling it gives. You can’t find it in anything else.

Where do your ideas come from for new music and what is your process of songwriting?

Suhtorii – I have had a bit of heartbreak recently so it’s mainly me just venting. But also I like to fuck around with lyrics now and throwback pre-corona party life.

Charlie – Whatever is on my mind at that specific time. I try to be easy flowing and easy-going. Not too complicated and I try not to overthink. If it doesn’t work, scrap it and move on.

How different do you find working on music now to when you first started?

Suhtorii – The more you practice something the better you get. We are so much better as musicians now than we were at the start. I’m really proud of our journey.

Charlie – I prefer having independence in the creative process. Being allowed to do your own thing and be free. This is something we didn’t have so much towards the beginning.

What do you feel you’ve learnt from your music career so far?

Suhtorii – I’ve learnt so much I could never even list it. But the most important thing I’ve learnt is, if you want change in your life, only you can get up and do it, don’t sit around and wait. Seize opportunities you didn’t even see as opportunities. Think outside the box.

Charlie – Believe in yourself and never stop because hard work pays off.

You first appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2014 receiving Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer, how did you find the experience returning in 2019 for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions?

Suhtorii – It felt like coming home, prodigal sons. We have had a crazy career and being able to go back there and be welcomed so warmly is such a secure feeling. It really feels like the UK is backing us, and we’re taking it to the moon.

Charlie – It was crazy and nostalgic. Great to catch up with everyone again and be back on the stage. This time it wasn’t so scary and more like fun.

Do you have any favourite music artists to listen to?

Suhtorii – I love listening to all types of music, my favourite artist right now is Digga D.

Charlie – Right now my favourite artist is DDG, his wave is phenomenal.

What do you enjoy doing away from the music industry?

Suhtorii – I love boardsports, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing etc. That’s a passion of mine.

Charlie – More music… I bleed music, I lost my passion for it for sometime and recently got it back and it’s 10x stronger.

Are you able to say what upcoming music plans you have for 2021?

Suhtorii – We have a LOT of music on the way. Stay tuned barsandmelody.tv

Charlie – Just watch, that’s all I can say. 2021 is going to be crazy.

Follow Bars and Melody on:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook