Top image: photography by Jess Farran

From The Beatles to the Backstreet Boys, the success of a great pop group stems from the ability to plug into a generation’s emotive range – set to the catchiest of beats. Hailing from Warwick, New York, Gus Dapperton is 2019’s answer to this definition: distilling elements from across the pop canon – 60s motown, 70s psych, 80s synth, 90s production – alongside his own louche, lo-fi croon.

Testament to the power of the internet, Dapperton rose from mixing hazy dreamscapes in his bedroom-cum-studio to being a ‘one-to-watch’ in the click of a – few million – Spotify likes. From the release of his debut track, I’m Just Snacking – a 90s-inflected tale of two lost souls who should be together but can’t – a devoted fanbase soon gathered, as did the acclaim. Four years on, Dapperton now boasts a 13 Reasons Why soundtrack hit, worldwide sell-out shows and a debut record, Where Polly People go to Read, recently wrapped and ready to hit shelves on 19th April.

With a fine feel for unusual textures and shadings, and a taste for mixing and matching unexpected elements, here Dapperton runs us through the reference points that inform his sound; from the New York streets he calls home, to his friend and collaborator Matt Cohen (who directed the video for Dapperton’s recent track World Class Cinema starring The Florida Project’s Bria Vanaite).

MUSIC – Love Theme from Spartacus

“This is simply the love theme from Spartacus composed by Alex North. This was the most beautiful piece of music I had ever heard when I first heard it. After I did some more research I noticed how many strange and wonderful versions were recorded by different artists over the ages.”

ART – James Paris

“James is a good friend of mine and an incredible artist. We met at university. I helped produce his first art show recently, Spartacus, and it helped me discover a new and wonderful way to participate in these kinds of endeavours.”

FILM – Matt Cohen

“Matt is my best friend and my favourite director. He has directed several of my music videos including my most recent work World Class Cinema.  I am so excited it is finally out and it really highlights how amazing Matthew is behind the camera.”

PLACE – New York

“People tend to ask me what my favorite city is considering all the places I have been able to travel to in the past year. I answer with New York everytime. The only thing that never changes about New York is that it is constantly changing. It is undeniably my home.”

Gus Dapperton’s debut record Where Polly People go to Read is out 19th April via Awal Recordings.
Catch him live at London’s Oval Space on 28th February.