Ssadcharlie: The Life Behind ‘PROM’

George Kitching
4 days ago
15 min read

Written, interviewed, and shot by GK

Sssadcharlie - a true legend in the making. A local hero. If you know, you know. Genre-bending, Bristol-repping, and full of limitless creativity. I fell in love with Charlie’s music from the get-go, and it’s a pleasure to now call them a friend, gaining deeper insight into the character behind the music.

We found a quiet spot on a sunny day in St Werburgh’s, Bristol - next to a pond (more of a bog) - for a stripped-back, honest conversation. Charlie opens up about the themes behind their upcoming music, revealing a pivotal realisation: the importance of creating for themself, rather than making what they think people want to hear.

First of all, how are you doing at the moment?

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, life is good. Life is pretty good. I’m bouncing to and from different places. But apart from that, yeah, I’m having a good time meeting lots of really cool people just doing my thing. Yeah, good man. Thanks.

We’re here in St Werburgh’s, is it?

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, yeah. We’re in Mina Road Park. It’s a spot, man, I used to come here quite a bit in like, 2024. Just chill and bring friends down here. I used to stay here until pretty late into the evening. It’s just a nice chill spot. Nice day too.

Yeah, banging day. Springtime, finally. Bloom season. What does Bristol mean to you? Obviously, there’s a lot of spots that mean a lot to you. You’ve got the tattoo - Crofters stairs.

Ssadcharlie

Bristol is like a very big melting pot - from artists to visual people to just overall creatives. So much culture, and it’s so beautiful. I always say that I couldn’t have grown up in a better city than Bristol, being around so much cool shit all the time. Like my upbringing and always being within a really cool scene. I can’t really tend to put it into just one word, Bristol is very.. it’s just beautiful, man. The energy here is brilliant. And even people from outside of Bristol say that as well. They love Bristol, and they always want to come back.

Yeah, yeah. Although you have a lot of positive things to say about Bristol, do you feel like there can be certain setbacks for creatives and artists?

Ssadcharlie

I feel like there can be a glass ceiling with this city sometimes, if not most of the time. I feel like there’s only so much you can really do, in my opinion. But I feel like the more the scene develops and grafts, the more the glass ceiling breaks, and more opportunities emerge.

Is that something that you’d like to see, or actively be a part of?

Ssadcharlie

Definitely, yeah. 1,000%. Living in London, I feel like a proud mum sometimes, watching the scene really blossom. It’s all about putting this place on the map init. I’ve always really just done this for my city, and I really hope that when people do end up being in a place in their career where it’s the most ideal, I hope that opportunities can get passed on to other people there. And, you know, that’s how a scene grows. The city’s never like, I’ll rub your back if you rub mine, like the scenes never been transactional. Yeah, it’s always just been like a “let’s get together and let’s have a fun time”. I love it, man. It’s a great scene.

It’s good because it’s sometimes hard to find communities like that. I mean, I’ve never lived in London. But I hear sometimes people say that about living in London.

Ssadcharlie

Bro, for sure, yeah. London is like - it doesn’t have one scene. It’s like hundreds of little scenes, and it can be very clicky sometimes, definitely. When you find your people there, it’s really nice. But you’re very much out for yourself in London, it’s very much like a survival of the fittest. So it’s always good to come back here - if you announce a show or something, the whole scene will pull up. You know, it’s really cool compared to London. But hey, London is also cool. But Bristol, you know, is the best.

It’s special, man. What’s the meaning behind Real Bristol Music? Because obviously, that’s a phrase that I’ve heard from you a few times.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, I’ve always felt Bristol has its own sound. Especially if we go back in time with the city’s roots, trip hop, etc. In fact, I was sat at home, bored out of my fucking mind, watching YouTube and it was a list of this person’s 100 greatest albums of all time. ‘Blue Lines’ by Massive Attack made an appearance. And obviously, trip hop was the primary genre. But like, the secondary genre said ‘Bristol sound’, same with a lot of the Portishead stuff that was on there as well. I’ve never seen that before. It’s really cool. I’m going off on a bit of a tangent here, but Real Bristol Music is like its own sound, you know, it’s quite literally Real Bristol Music. And it’s been very cool to see that phrase being thrown around the scene quite a lot as well. Hopefully it brings people a lot closer together, just having that in mind, you know, this is Real Bristol Music. This is raw, this is us.

I’ve got a couple abstract questions for you now.

Ssadcharlie

Oooooh.

If you could describe your music or your sound in one colour, what would that colour be?

Ssadcharlie

You’ve never asked me this before. I’m always very drawn to blue. It’s quite sad, isn’t it? It’s quite depressing haha.

Blue can also be happy as well, you know, like blue skies.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, for sure, but I’ve always seen quite a dark blue in my shit. What’s the word, is it synesthesia? I don’t have that haha. I don’t have that at all. I know one guy that has it and it’s fucked. But like, when it comes to the shows and stuff, and how I look at the shows in my head, there’s a lot of blue there. And it’s just been a very subconscious kind of decision that I’ve always made like, fuck it, put it on blue. And I think over time, that’s just how the music has gone on to sort of nook in my brain.

Sick, what about if your music was the soundtrack to a film? What do you think it would be?

Ssadcharlie

I’m a big film guy. And there are definitely some films that pop into mind, but I don’t want to sound like a neek like, naming some abstract ass film.

Haha nah, you gotta do it, man.

Ssadcharlie

There’s a film I watched recently called Waves.

Yeah, I’ve seen that. Yeah it’s good.

Ssadcharlie

Colour is used so much in that, especially blue.

Yeah, it’s really nicely shot.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, oh my god. And the soundtrack - bro, that’s probably like the most expensive soundtrack of all time. You got like, Frank Ocean in there, Tyler, you’ve got Kanye.

It has got a great soundtrack.

Ssadcharlie

Bro, just so many, like A$AP Rocky, some really cool artists in there, and I’ve always liked the unpredictability of it. I reckon my music could really soundtrack that film, due to the unpredictability and the sort of coming of ageness of my sound. But in terms of the more beautiful side of things, this is kind of a hot take to some people, but I’ve always been a very big fan of Call Me by Your Name. Just being out in the Italian countryside and going swimming and shit. It’s not the romantic part of it, just more the scenery behind that film. The cinematography, the prettier sides of my music could definitely soundtrack that. Or (500) Days of Summer, that’s a really good fucking film. Or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, bro. Yeah, all the coming of age flicks.

Yeah, sick. Gonna move on to what we spoke about earlier, recently having a realisation that you want to make sure you’re always making music for yourself, as opposed to what other people want to hear? Can you expand on that and tell us what made you come to that realization, and how important that is to you?

Ssadcharlie

I think I just got very much wrapped up into the statistical or business part of it. Because at this stage of my career, I’m constantly talking to my manager or labels. So I was subconsciously making music - I don’t know, sounds really weird - but to impress them, with ‘focus’ and all that. I experienced that on a really huge level when I went on tour in December. Like, it was so amazing. I’m so grateful. There were so many people that came, and I felt so overwhelmed by all the support, and so many people being like, focus, focus, and all that. But it was weird, I got back and felt so grateful, but something in me was like this doesn’t feel like a very authentic version of me. So I went back to square one. I went back to my roots, found my love for old school hip-hop again, delved back into my grime roots and a lot of the rock music that my dad showed me growing up, even the electronic music my parents raised me on. And was like, okay, what makes me? I experimented for so long and was like, You know what? I’m just gonna throw a bunch of shit at a wall and just see what sticks. I’m not even gonna plan the structure around new songs. Fuck it. If I want to have some crazy rap section in the middle of this beautiful pop song, why not? And just really go crazy. I grew up playing in choirs as well. So I was like, what the fuck happened to that? Let’s bring that back. And really started focusing on playing the keys again, playing my drums live, and really delving into the music theory side of things, and it’s turned out to be really cool. I’m very happy, and I’m in a place where I’m very content with the music that I make and the way it gets played out. It’s always going to be a journey, but right now, I’m happy. Yeah, very happy, very grateful.

That’s good. That’s the way to be. It’s hard to find the balance init - because even we spoke earlier about the business side of things, you gotta take it seriously to some extent, and you gotta make the right moves, but obviously at the same time, you want to stay authentic to yourself.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, man, yeah. We live in a day and age where at the end of the day, if you want to make it a career, then you’ve gotta think with a business head as well. And really put in that grafting, you know, always emailing, always talking to the industry people and getting their help. And I’m so grateful for everyone on my team, they’re just so amazing at what they do. But like you said, also just trying to find that balance of creating authenticity. But I’m now very much making it a priority, and stressing it to my team, where it’s like, I don’t want to go against the algorithm, but I’m in a position now where I can put some shit out that I like. I mean, if it’s not your cup of tea, then it’s not your cup of tea init, and hopefully shit will move on from there. The balance is difficult, but feeling very content and well balanced right now.

That’s good. Tell us about your recent link ups with Luca. Luca Santamaria, in the little studio.

Ssadcharlie

Haha, Mr. Luca Santamaria, that man. He’s great, bro. I love making music with him. He’s the only person in the creative world I’m in right now that really understands my vision. Which is like, the first time it has really ever happened to me. And I was like, wow. I’ve been in the studio, and I’ll show him some music, and I’ll be like, yo, let’s do something like this. And he’d be like, cool. And then he’ll write something on a similar vibe, and the ideas are always bouncing, it’s a very healthy studio environment. That’s the goat bro.

Also want to ask about your friends, because you’ve been assembling a kind of visual team as well, right? You work closely with Jack, Lyz, Phoebe. How did that come about, and how nice is it to work closely with some of the people that you’re closest to?

Ssadcharlie

It’s always been like a working with my friends thing. It’s always been a what’s mine is yours, because if you’re grafting for something and there’s an opportunity there, I’m going to make sure that the opportunity gets given to my homies, bro. Me and Jack have known each other for four years, and me and Lyz are coming up to four years now. I met Jack in a random park in Brislington, and I was absolutely off my face. I just started talking to him about my music that was still in the very early stages. He showed me some of the sports photography stuff he was doing and I was like, bro, come to a show. He came to my first ever Bristol show and took some iPhone flicks, and from there on, that was my guy. He’s been everywhere with me ever since, from festivals to going outside of the country. And then Lyz - brakewell as you guys will know him, we met online. I was a part of a collective called Stay Ugly, and we had this Discord server for creatives. Brakewell joined the server, and actually came to a couple Stay Ugly sessions and filmed some stuff for some of our documentary work we were doing. It took us ages to realize that we lived in the same city. Sienna (SPIKEMYHEART) was doing a video shoot, and Lyz came, and we just hit it off. Eventually we were like, let’s do some shit together. We got Lyz’s, friend, Fraser involved and we did a short film together, called ‘i’m not like the other girls’, which came out last April. Man, it was just a really good time. Since then, Lyz has been doing video work for me. Again, been everywhere with me. So, yeah, just been assembling this visual team with Jack and Lyz, and also getting Phoebe Ashford involved, the boy! He’s an absolute gem as well, that’s like, one of my best friends. So much talent, bro. They’re just incredible. Like, genuinely, I can’t thank them enough.

Yeah, yeah, it’s great to be working with your mates init. You can grow together.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, exactly. We just come up together, you know. If we’ve started from here, I want to see progress with all of us. It’s been so cool seeing everyone’s progress. Lyz has obviously been working with Sade (Olutola). Shout out Sade. And he’s got some insanely big projects on the way that I’m not allowed to talk about. Jack has been shooting for Danny Brown recently, and has been featured in Rolling Stone. P (Phoebe Ashford) has been on tour...

Everyone’s blooming man.

Ssadcharlie

I see what you did there.

So tell us about Prom, because obviously I’ve listened to some of the stuff that’s not released yet, picked up on themes. A lot of nostalgia? And you also mentioned to me that a lot of it is about that transition into adulthood. What does that mean to you?

Ssadcharlie

Basically the past couple of years of my life has been really cool, really strange though, being in this weird transitional period, going through a bit of an identity crisis, and not really knowing who I want to actually be as a person. Through a lot of my teenage years to now, I’ve been writing so many feelings down and I just wanted to wrap it up into one project. To put it super bluntly, Prom is like, how am I doing right now? Reflecting on all the memories, how I used to be, shit I went through, and the identity crisis. Especially things like romance, and a lot of the adolescent stuff, a lot of rebellion I did as a kid too. It all just wraps up into one project, lots of pretty crazy themes on there. So keep your ears peeled. Yeah, Prom.

Do you feel like maybe the process of creating that music has helped you in that journey of, I guess what you would call an identity crisis, and finding who you want to be?

Ssadcharlie

Fuck yeah, definitely. It’s like closing certain chapters in my life, and moving on. So when Prom comes out, it will leave me a lot of room to live a little and go through some more shit. And to write some stuff about navigating adulthood and the complications that come with that. Because it’s all very much a journey, throughout your life and the shit you go through, and the things that you remember. It’s a part of life, but I think I deep it quite a lot. We don’t really have long. I know that sounds really morbid, but I really want to cherish every moment. So putting that into music, which is my thing, has always been a form of therapy. It’s always helped me close chapters. But I’m very excited for people to hear it. It’s the most open and honest I’ve been in my music. It’s very raw and unfiltered. I’m excited for it to also open up a couple of debates as well and just get people talking. I’m very excited for everything that follows, and I’ve got some really, really cool stuff planned.

Yeah, yeah. Love that. I find that I relate to that a lot. It’s something I think about as a lot as well. I think a lot of my creation and art is almost like making something live longer. Do you know what I mean? Because when you make art about time and moments, and certain periods of your life, it’s like a time capsule. It makes stuff live on. That’s a big thing I find for myself, I can see it in the way you go about it too.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah, definitely. It will be there forever, you know? One thing I’ve always reminded myself is to always live in the present. Don’t focus on the past too much, because you can’t really change that. Well, you can’t change that at all. Actually, it’s completely fucking impossible. So what’s the point in dwelling on the past when you can’t fucking change a thing about it? I mean, sure you can have regrets. But hey, it’s there now. And also why the fuck are people worried about the damn future, they don’t know what the fuck is gonna happen. I dunno what the fuck is gonna happen in like, five minutes, I could fall into that bog next five minutes, maybe a big gust of wind drags me in there.

Doesn’t look like you’d drown though.

Ssadcharlie

No, no, I’d probably just get really muddy. But the only thing you really can do is just focus on the present and be in the moment. And that’s always been a really cool way to go about your life. The only thing I’m focused on right now is me being sat here with you, talking to you. And it’s great. It’s really cool. Take it one moment at a time, you know. Don’t rush things and just do things at your own pace. And just do your thing. Living. Keep blooming.

Yeah, that’s the one man. So looking at the future now... Just been talking about staying present, now moving on to the future haha. In obviously a positive way though, lots of stuff to be excited for. Got a secret little set somewhere in Bristol as well. Lots in the works.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah bro, yeah. It’s gonna be a really good year. I’m very excited for me and the team. Beacon’s gonna be really fun. I’m really starting to focus on the visual element of the shows.

Love that, I can tell you put a lot of care into the visual side of it.

Ssadcharlie

Bro, world building is my thing. I really want to create a world around each of my projects and also each of my shows. Were you at Love Saves last year?

Yes, yeah, I was at the front. I remember dapping up Phoebe as he walked by haha.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah man, Love Saves had a lot of focus on it, I really wanted to stylize it and make it just about my friends. Having them all on stage having a good time. Also did a really jokes Carly Rae Jepsen flip before I came on stage. The sound engineer was like, what the fuck is going on?

Yeah, I liked seeing P run around.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah hahaha. Everyone was so gassed. We didn’t even get any really good clips. The shots are basically just pictures of my nutsack. But no, that’s exactly how I wanted it to go, I wanted people to live in the moment and really enjoy the experience. But yeah, Beacon’s gonna be really good, and a little secret set. Working on some really cool music. Got some really cool features planned. Lots of really cool plans. I’m gassed.

Yeah, exciting stuff ahead. Well, that pretty much wraps it. I feel like it’s been a pretty sick interview, I’m loving this spot. Well, the sun’s behind the cloud now, but it’s matched the vibe. Sunny day, quiet park, well, bog I guess. Chilled out and introspective. I like it.

Ssadcharlie

Yeah no I feel it man. A little boggy, but It’s really nice, especially a day like this. I’m very happy with the way things have turned out.

Yeah. Very fitting to what we’re talking about as well. Like you said, just living in the moment. It’s been a nice little conversation.

Ssadcharlie

One with nature, bro.

I might come here in summer. You’ll probably walk past and find me sat here reading, but I don’t really read, so that’s bullshit. I’d probably be having a cig.

Ssadcharlie

Haha just because you’re here you gotta read. You’ve gotta be all performative.

Yeah, I’ll have my Bloom book, but just be looking through my notes, pretending I’m reading something really deep.

Ssadcharlie

With a matcha.

Yeah literally. My new summer spot. Thank you for today. Safe bro.

Ssadcharlie

Bro! Always man. Always.

That’s that. Keep blooming, I guess. Phrase of the day.

Ssadcharlie

Keep blooming.