Michael Green Interviews... Chris Craigen
- Michael Green
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
Here is a Q&A with musician Chris Craigen. He talks about his experiences in music.
1. How did your journey in music begin?
My journey started in 2008, aged 16. I began getting involved in shows at Wootton Upper School and this lead to me joining Bedfordshire Youth Opera for 6 years.
My classical/opera background taught me many valuable singing techniques and tools.
I always wanted to be a performer but I struggled with confidence for many years. I abandoned music for most of my 20s, until I started getting involved with the open mic scene. From there things just snowballed into more than anything I could have imagined.
2. Who have been your biggest musical influences or inspirations?
I would have to say Elton John, especially. Being a piano/vocalist I've taken a lot of influence from him. But also Freddie Mercury and Queen. Their showman skills are second to none.
3. How do you decide which songs to cover — what draws you to a particular track?
A lot of the time, the key is to find an emotional connection to a song. Every time you perform you're telling a story and it's key to feel the emotional beats of that story.
If I like a track I will often look up the music video to enhance my understanding of what I'm trying to bring across.
Sometimes that connection is through the words or the music behind it. But other times, as an entertainer, you've got to work out what your crowd will respond to, some songs I've initially hated but learnt to love for this very reason. So I guess it's striking a balance between the two.
Here's a clip of Chris's band The Krakens playing Starman
4. How important do you think it is to keep up with current music trends while also learning from music of the past?
I think there is a balance between the two for sure. During my stint working on a cruise, I discovered a lot of older songs and genres I never would have even thought of singing or covering.
But set lists and repertoire should be an ever growing and evolving thing.
So it's important to keep discovering new music old or new and to never stop learning and taking risks.
5. Do you think it’s valuable for artists to watch other acts perform or to regularly attend live shows?
Absolutely, I always try and watch other people and acts when I'm not gigging myself. As a community it's important that we support each other the best we can.
But there is always something you can learn from other acts and performers as well.
I've always tried to learn from and with people I work with, particularly if they are more experienced than I am.
6. Finally, what advice would you give to someone just starting out with live performances?
1. Go out and enjoy it! See what works, reflect on things you may need to work on.
2. Learn from people around you. If you get criticism, try not to take it as a personal attack, but perhaps points to work on and improve.
3. Decide for yourself what advice to act on and what to ignore. Generally if that person is experienced, successful and supportive, take their advice on board.
4. You're going to have some great gigs and some absolute horror shows. But you can learn as much from a great gig as a bad one. But learn from your mistakes and your successes.
5. Earn validation rather than seek it. Someone comes up to you and says you smashed it. You did! And ask people for positive/constructive feedback.
6. You are never the finished product, everyone has things to work on and improve. And the best way to improve is to take risks and keep pushing on through. If it's what you want to do don't give up even when things get tough.
Website - chriscraigenmusic.co.uk
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