Interview - Neil Potter

Music has a way of pulling us into the worlds of those who create it—each note carrying a story, an influence, and a glimpse of the artist’s heart. Today on MeloDrift, we’re sitting down with a multi-talented musician whose journey spans over 15 years as a singer-songwriter, composer, producer, guitarist, bassist, and teacher. With roots in everything from rock to classical, jazz to flamenco, their work blends passion with purpose, often shaped by personal experiences and a deep desire to connect with listeners on an emotional level.

In this conversation, we explore the inspirations that shaped their sound, the challenges and joys of creating music, and the personal stories behind the songs. From dream collaborations to guilty pleasures, and from writing heartfelt pieces for loved ones to imagining orchestral performances of their own works, this artist reminds us why music is both universal and deeply personal.

Let’s dive in.

Welcome to MeloDrift. Can you tell us a little bit about your musical background?

Hi and thanks for having me! I already like the look of your questions. I am a singer-songwriter composer producer guitarist and bassist. You could say I’m pretty obsessed with music. As I’ve spent a lot of hours learning my styles of it. I also teach all the things I’ve just mentioned and have done professionally for the past 15 years. 

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?

Took me about half an hour trying to think of this. Probably dreamer by Ozzy Osborne.

Who or what have been the most impactful influences on your musical style and sound?

It’s seems to be every time I encountered a new musical style which stopped me in my tracks. So this would have been when I was younger, rock bands like Oasis, Guns N Roses etc. Then classical from Mozart to Debussy, to more modernist composers like that of Ben Johnston. Then there’s the jazz of Miles Davis, and Johnny Coltrane. Flamenco, Indian music, the list goes on. 

How do your life experiences shape your songwriting, and what emotions or ideas do you hope listeners connect with in your music?

As a teacher, I try to teach with emotion in mind, not just with the lyrical and vocal intent, but the musical notes too. So with that, there’s also the writing from a personal narrative. Speaking about the area I grew up, to all the human emotions from, relationships, love, anger, money, mental health etc. Especially with the mental health side of things. This above all else is where I’d love for one person to hear a song of mine and it helps them, and in whatever which way that may be! All the years of hardwork would be worth it then, not to sound too pretentious, but it’s true! 

Each phase of music-making—writing, recording, rehearsing, and performing—has its own unique rewards. Could you share a memorable moment from each stage?

Most certainly it has, it’s also very stressful. Writing - hearing music in your head and actually making it sound like what you heard and altogether. Recoding - slowly getting through all the never ending bits till you have the finished article. Rehearing - hearing what the music actually sounds like in the real world to which point in can adapt and change taking on a new life and sometimes new meanings too. 

Is there a song of yours that holds particular personal significance? We’d love to know more about the story or the inspiration behind it.

There’s many, but I wrote a song for my son Roman, for his first birthday present. It was never meant to be put on the album, but close family and friends who I played it for either said they really liked it, or they started to cry haha. So I was like, ‘it’s going to have to go on isn’t it!’ I wrote it to be simple, like a nursery rhyme almost with him only being one. But complex doesn’t always mean good and this one is unquie in comparison to most of the albums complexity.  

If you could swap lives with any musician for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

I don’t think I would want to, just like myself, we’re all off our heads! Haha. But I’ll say Bon Jovi so I could be as handsome!

What’s a guilty pleasure song you secretly love but might surprise your fans?

I’m actually a big K-Pop fan, if you take most of the cheesy lyrical content away. The songwriting, the production, the mixing, the everything! Is top dog. So I’ll say 2ne1 - Missing You. 

Looking ahead, what are some goals or dreams you have for your music and career?

Can I dream, I am a dreamer after all. Make a living out of my own music. Have complete orchestral works of mine be performed.

Finally, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers before we close?

Thanks for reading! Please check out the album and its singles. And if you like it you can either buy it and you can also buy some merch at my website. Please also follow, like subscribe, all the usual on the likes of Spotify and YouTube. All really does help to feed a starving artist! 

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