In January, Eddie Brett released his new album of Christian music – Common Kalos – which includes his own version of Amazing Grace, and he also revisited one of his early songs Love Sick, which was released originally with his band Loveable Rogues. Eddie has also released a number of music videos including for Love Sick, Reno and Myself (with the latter being worked on with The Office actor Ewen McIntosh). As the lead vocalist and guitarist for Loveable Rogues, the band reached the final of Series 6 of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, and went on to release a top 10 single What a Night. Recently, Eddie has filmed acoustic versions of Honest and Talking Monkeys for his YouTube channel, with the originals featuring on the Loveable Rogues debut album This and That, and as well as releasing music, in 2024, Eddie released his Word Art poetry collection. We caught up with Eddie about releasing his new album Common Kalos, being a lead vocalist and guitarist for Loveable Rogues and his debut poetry collection Word Art.

Your new album Common Kalos was released in January; can you tell us about the album and what inspired you to work on an album of Christian music?

I guess my art has always been a reflection of my lived experience. Whilst I was on this quest of finding peace, I stumbled across Jesus, and that’s become a big part of my life now. It feels natural to reference that whenever fits.

How long had the album been in the making and how was it finalising the tracklist?

The album wasn’t in the making, haha, it kind of just happened… I’d decided to give up music and pursue comedy… and then I met this geezer called Mark who showed a real interest in my music. I was just inspired by his excitement, and so I kept writing. A couple of songs turned into an EP, and then an EP became an album.

It all just flowed and grew, and I have Mark to thank for its creation as it grew from our Tuesday chats at The Beehive coffee shop in Bethnal Green.

Was there a song on Common Kalos you found most challenging to write, and what was it like recording your own version of Amazing Grace?

Emotionally, Myself was very revealing. I wrote it years ago, and I’ve since learnt about the 12-steps program, and that was me “admitting I had a problem”.

This album really wasn’t a challenge writing. The writing came easy. I guess the production side of things was a bit more challenging, but my approach to it is just trying to make it quick, because that is how I have fun and enjoy things… make and move on. I don’t want to dwell and labour, because then I probably would put myself off what I’ve made.

I had a really amazing trip to Nashville, amongst life-changing to be honest. Nashville really actively loves its acoustic storytellers, and I felt an appreciation for essentially what I do in a way I’ve not witnessed before… and also I could talk about Jesus so openly and confidently, as faith is in the air. Country music and BBQ, let’s goooo.

The lyrics of Amazing Grace just started to speak to me… I then found out it was written by a bloke in London, so it felt like a nice London-Americana-faith mix. I played with a few ways of doing it and just come to the conclusion that the world didn’t need another acoustic version, and so changed the melody up and some lyrics and I’m really happy with the result.

It was important to have some people I love play on the record too… It goes from being an album that starts with a Loveable Rogues nod in my old band, then solitude, and then finishes up as community.

What have you enjoyed most about working on this album and how does it feel now it’s released?

Making some new friends and expending my creative boundaries… It’s really cool to just shake up what you know, and who you know…

How was it revisiting one of your early songs – Love Sick, and how differently did you approach it this time to when it was officially released in 2014?

I changed some lyrics that felt a bit icky to me now, and just stripped it back a bit… It was fun to reimagine it as now, and it is hilarious seeing people hear and enjoy it for the first time, knowing the journey it’s already taken me on.

How do you feel your music style has evolved over the years and who do you think your current music will appeal to?

I’ve no idea who I appeal to lol – that’s not really my concern or something I can control. I know some people in prison are resonating with it, and that feels cool that it can offer hope and a desire for redemption.

The sound’s simple, I’m just trying to lean into the storytelling.

You have released a number of music videos including for Love Sick, Reno and previously for Myself (filmed alongside The Office actor Ewen MacIntosh), what were they like to film?

Low budget lol. Trying to make things as visually interesting as possible and appeasing my own imagination, so: camels, squirrel outfits…

Yeah, Ewen from The Office – I just DMd him and he liked the song and so did it, which was really cool. He has since passed away, so it’s a cherished moment to have shared his time.

What are some of your favourite memories from your time as the lead singer and guitarist of Loveable Rogues?

Having a dream with some friends from college and making it happen…

How did you find the experience auditioning for and reaching the final of Series 6 of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 and how was it seeing the fan response to your top 10 single What a Night?

BGT was petrifying, and then just bonkers. Top 10 single – yeah, wild. It’s both a pointless stat and one of my greatest achievements. A number with Love Sick has always felt like a missed opportunity, but I think that’s the nature of stats and stuff… you’re left wanting more.

What was it like writing and releasing Loveable Rogues’s debut album This and That and how was it filming your own acoustic versions of Honest and Talking Monkeys recently for YouTube?

Cor each song was very different to write. Yeah, again, low-budget and cheap filming those in Nottingham. I was working on a building site at this amazing stately home, and after my shift I filmed a couple of acoustics on the park next to it, haha.

What is your songwriting process, and do you have a favourite aspect of writing your own music?

Just let it flow however it comes. I keep a notebook with me, I’m always thinking, and then it’ll come together when it’s ready to hatch.

In 2024, you released your debut poetry collection Word Art; how was it writing the poems and seeing the book come together?

I need to revisit this. It was super important to me when I was younger, and I was happy to put something together, but it was rushed slightly. I feel like I want to make it a bit more like a skateboard fanzine.

How did you originally get into music and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

I just loved music, and couldn’t play other peoples songs. I found it easier to write my own, and I guess I wanted to be famous lol, and it seemed like a good vehicle for that.

Who are some of your favourite music artists to listen to?

Ella Langley and Olivia Dean at the moment, and Taizé, and podcasts.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Coffee and writing, walking the dog, going to church, tending my bees, and looking for a girlfriend.

Have you received any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?

Erm something I learnt was to take advice with a pinch of salt, and age doesn’t always equal wisdom. Sometimes you gut is right and you can live with following that. I know now that feeling as a sign from God, steering me away or towards something.

What are you hoping 2026 brings for you and do you have any upcoming music plans that you can share?

I think I might look to revisit the comedy pursuit. Music has a weird place in my life – I can’t work it out… It’s not my job, and it doesn’t always bring me joy lol. Sometimes it feels really laboured and scary, and so I need to find a place that I enjoy it.

I’m thinking amongst a band maybe. Or just Mark with his acoustic and me over the top. I love writing though… that’s just a part of me. It’s the performing part and the desire to self-aggrandise that I’ve not worked out how to do from a place of peace.

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