A Chat with That Hidden Promise (25.09.20)
Working under the moniker That Hidden Promise, UK-based singer-songwriter Wayne Lee has been sharing his captivating tracks since 2011. We had a chance to speak with Lee about his new album Who Knows Now?, his creative process and making up words.
OSR: How did That Hidden Promise form?
Lee: Well, it’s just me, so I decided to stop being a hermit, writing and recording for the sake of my own creative endeavour and get back out playing live again after a good few years without doing so. I didn’t want to just go by my own name as that’s more suited to being a bad end of pier comedian. The name is about the unknown or unseen promise or potential we have. It’s an affirmation of the importance of dreaming and seeing the positives and keeping wonder.
OSR: What can you tell us about the album Who Knows Now?
Lee: It was entirely self-produced between March and May 2020. I usually write very singular tracks, though this collection of songs just sat really well together. I wrote seven during the making of the album and think all the songs show what That Hidden Promise is about. There really is something to capture most moods, in my view.
OSR: What do you hope people take from Who Knows Now?
Lee: I really hope people enjoy the songs and can relate to what I’ve written about in these weird times. The songs are pretty varied, so I hope they find at least one track they can take something from.
OSR: Where do you hope to be in five years?
Lee: I’d hope still to be recording and writing however and wherever that may be.
OSR: Describe your music in one word.
Lee: Free.
OSR: What was the most exciting part about creating Who Knows Now?
Lee: Realising all the ideas I’d had in my head for a long time. Making them real for the world to listen to as well. This is the debut album, so it was a great process to go through.
OSR: What is your creative process?
Lee: Mostly just sitting in a room with my guitar, writing ideas down on a pad, playing around with beats and synths too. I’ll collect thoughts and ideas over a period and then have a concentrated period of working through them all. I’ve been writing for a long time and it’s important not to rush.
OSR: What made-up word would you incorporate into the English language if you could?
Lee: Kabloggabiggle. Make up whatever meaning you want!
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers and potential The Hidden Promise fans?
Lee: Be who you are, create what you want to create, live as you want to without apology. We’re here but for the blink of an eye and there’s a universe of wonder to explore and dream in.
Thanks to Wayne Lee for speaking with us! For more from That Hidden Promise go to his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
