Cooper is a self-made, self-taught musician who manages to exist effortlessly within two scenes generally considered to be at varying ends of the sonic spectrum. Learning his craft on the Indie Rock scene, but later connecting with the Sing Out Gospel Gospel Choir, Cooper’s exquisite vocal and adroitly played guitar seamlessly encompasses the best of both worlds. It’s Indie with soul, soul with heart. This is meaningful music from the mind of a man who’s lived life, loss and longing. He defines the idea of what it is to be a truly singular artist who both defies convention and resists comparison. “I don’t want to be seen as a singer/ songwriter because people lump you into that sulky troubadour box,” points out JP with a quick laugh. “I want to be a bit more than that. I want to make great music and grow. I’ve always loved and admired artists that evolve; people like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Björk. Hopefully I can be an artist who will explore and transform in a similar way.”
Though it might seem like music is in his DNA, JP wasn’t bought up in a particularly musical household. However, his Granddad, a commercial artist and dad, also an artist, taught him something that would prove invaluable to his own artistic endeavors in years to come. “My dad went to study at art school and my Granddad told him, ‘Never get a job in art ‘cause it’ll be something that you don’t love anymore. It’ll be a job not a hobby’. That really stuck with me years later when I began to teach myself guitar. You need to know your a,b,c’s, but the main thing is to have fun with it, to play with it like a child would, ignore the rules. The fact I’m completely clueless about what chords I’m playing works in my favour. I’m a complete blagger! But that’s really nice I think; I can stay wide-eyed about it.”
Bought up during the guitar-laden years of Britpop, like many young Manchester teens, JP played in various bands throughout school. Broadening his musical tastes beyond Oasis by regularly visiting eponymous record store, the Vinyl Exchange, it was there the young music enthusiast discovered everything from Björk to Aphex Twin, Donny Hathaway and Rufus Wainwright. Deciding to go solo while at college, JP was finally able to fully draw on his various influences and begin to experiment with the sort of artist he wanted to be. “I realised that I didn’t want to have to rely on anybody – as long as I could play and I could write then I’d be pretty self-sufficient. And I could make the music I wanted to make without having to compromise.” Teaching himself guitar, JP began testing his sound out at Open Mic nights and quickly started getting booked to play all over Manchester. Within a year he rose to selling out 250 capacity venue, the Deaf Institute. However, because he was a white guy with a guitar, he found himself increasingly booked at folk / indie / band nights. Ill at ease in a scene into which he was thrust, slowly his audience began to diversify as the subtleties in his music began to emerge. He joined Manchester’s Sing Out Gospel Choir and released a series of three mixtapes, noticing a growing fanbase within the urban world. Soon he was not only selling out venues like the Gorilla in Manchester, but he was hitting capacity at shows in London too. “As soon I found an outlet into the soul and urban world, everything changed overnight. Since then it’s grown and grown and I’ve found my audience. It’s really nice to be embraced by that world.”
Three years ago, he became a dad for the first time and a year later faced a difficult decision. Supporting himself by working in a bar so he could be with his son every morning and night, when Island Records offered him a development deal, he knew it would mean a lot of travel to London. “I didn’t want to miss any of my son growing up, but I also had to build a future for us both. It got to the point where I’d had this massive dream of doing music and all this amazing stuff was happening, but at the same time I was away from all of the things that are home to me.”
It’s a subject he covers on Closer, found on his 2015 EP, When The Darkness Comes. After signing to Island Records 18 months ago, JP released two EP’s, which combined have had over 5 million plays. The first, Keep The Quiet Out, was produced by the Confectionary [Bonkaz, Jacob Banks]. The most recent (When The Darkness Comes), produced by the duo One-Bit, features six perfectly executed vignettes. The EP is deeply personable yet utterly relatable. “It’s about relationships, people’s struggles, family and the human mind, the weirdness of it, the complexities of it,” explains JP.
He not only has a large online following, but he has a large and loyal live fanbase too. Last year, he sold out four headline shows in London, including the The Scala the Village Underground and Koko. The EP’s, along with his engaging live performances, have won JP a legion of fans as disparate as his sounds; the likes of Boy George, The Cast Of EastEnders, Maverick Sabre, Sean Mendez and Stormzy have all sung his praises, while recent collaborations with the likes of George the Poet have seen Cooper diversify a little into the spoken world arena. “It’s not my world at all but it’s taught me loads,” he muses. “The whole imagination behind it all inspires me to want to be better.”
Next up is JP’s debut album proper which promises to be bigger and bolder affair, while retaining a sense of simplicity and honesty. Featuring elements of Hip Hop, stand-up soul and Country-inflected guitar, there will also be some unexpected twists and turns. JP isn’t an artist that deals in the formulaic, the predictable or the conventional. “It’s going to be bold,” he decides. “I’ve enjoyed some spot plays on Radio and I know I’m lucky to have those because what I do really doesn’t sound like anything else on there. I’d like to carry on down that route. I don’t want my music to sound like everything else that’s being put out at the minute.”
JP Cooper isn’t the sort of artist to list his ambitions as being awards and accolades. That’s not why he makes music. He’s isn’t here to make cookie-cutter sounds that cynically appeal to a mass market. Rather he wants to challenge the idea’s of what music people should – and shouldn’t – be making. “There’s no façade. I’m just somebody who lives life and writes about it. It’s a human experience. I’m not untouchable,” he points out. “I think people trust what I do because of the way that I am; there’s no front. I think that makes people want to find out more. Hopefully when they do find out more, they’ll like what they hear. I know nothing’s promised, and I know I’ve been doing this for a few years now, but it feels just like the beginning. And that’s really exciting.”
However, he was hailed as ‘Future Sound of 2015’ by BBC Radio One’s Zane Lowe, supported soul singer Angie Stone, sold out a UK tour of his own, and had a coveted slot at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
His EP 'When The Darkness Comes' was reviewed in 2015 as "combining folk, blues, soul and gospel, ... [showcasing] Cooper’s talent for both songwriting and lyricism which releases true emotion – not only for himself but also the listener."
Sources:
This info was taken from when he was featured in The Telegraph and listed for his gig at The Cluny in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Party
JP Cooper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were so happy the times that we bought them
All that we know about love is in them
All that we have learned
Helping you out when I don't even wanna
Carrying boxes and memories for ya
I'm not a smoker but now I'm searching
For a light
Now we're having a party
And all our friends are having a laugh, hey
But it's not so funny to me
When morning comes, you'll be gone
We got a problem, they playing our song but we're done with the dancing
It won't be long before everyone's asking
Wishing that we could still talk about it
Look at all that we have got
Your decisions will come back to haunt you
And I'll be the ghost of a lover who lost it
Is there a way we can talk about it?
Oh no
Now we're having a party
And all our friends are having a laugh, hey
But it's not so funny to me
When morning comes, you'll be gone
We're just having a party
But it's feeling like a funeral, hey
That nobody loves it but me
When morning comes, you'll be gone
That's when the music stops
And I see faces drop
I'm beside myself, have you forgot?
All that we've been through
We're just having a party
But it's feeling like a funeral, hey
Seen so much in here
When morning comes, you'll be gone, you'll be gone
We're just having a party
But it's feeling like a funeral, hey
Seen so much in here
When morning comes, you'll be gone
The song "Party" by JP Cooper is a melancholic reflection on the end of a relationship. The lyrics describe two people sitting in front of two piles of albums that represent their shared experiences and all that they have learned about love. The singer of the song recounts how they have helped their partner through difficult times, even when they didn't want to, and how they now feel lost without them. As they attend a party with their friends, they can't help but feel that it's not funny to them and that it feels more like a funeral.
The chorus repeats the idea that they are only having a party, but it feels like a funeral. They see their ex-partner as being gone when morning comes, and the music stops. They can see the faces of their friends dropping and feel that they are beside themselves. Despite everything that they've been through, they're left alone, and the album piles are all that they have to remember their love now.
Overall, the song's lyrics are poignant and thought-provoking, highlighting the pain that comes with the end of a long-term relationship. The metaphor of the albums representing all that two people have shared is a clever one that adds to the emotional impact of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
We got a problem, sitting in front of two piles of albums
We have a problem facing our music collection.
We were so happy the times that we bought them
We reminisce about the times we were happy purchasing the albums.
All that we know about love is in them
Our albums teach us about love.
All that we have learned
Our past experiences have taught us.
Helping you out when I don't even wanna
I help you even when I don't feel like it.
Carrying boxes and memories for ya
I carry your boxes and memories for you.
I'm not a smoker but now I'm searching
I look for a lighter even though I'm not a smoker.
For a light
I want to light something up.
Now we're having a party
We are currently partying.
And all our friends are having a laugh, hey
Our friends are all enjoying themselves.
But it's not so funny to me
I'm not finding it as enjoyable.
When morning comes, you'll be gone
You will be gone by morning.
We got a problem, they playing our song but we're done with the dancing
Our song is played but we don't want to dance.
It won't be long before everyone's asking
People will soon start asking.
Wishing that we could still talk about it
We wish we could still discuss it.
Look at all that we have got
We look at all that we have.
Your decisions will come back to haunt you
Your decisions will catch up to you.
And I'll be the ghost of a lover who lost it
I'll be the haunted lover.
Is there a way we can talk about it?
Can we talk it out?
Oh no
This is concerning.
That's when the music stops
This is when the music ends.
And I see faces drop
I see everyone's expression change.
I'm beside myself, have you forgot?
I'm upset, did you forget?
All that we've been through
All of our struggles and experiences.
We're just having a party
We are still partying.
But it's feeling like a funeral, hey
The party has a somber tone.
That nobody loves it but me
I'm the only one who cares about this party.
Seen so much in here
We have memories tied to this place.
When morning comes, you'll be gone, you'll be gone
By morning, you will no longer be here.
Writer(s): John Paul Cooper, Teemu Brunila
Contributed by Charlie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Reguig Mel
Verse 1]
We got a problem, sitting in front of two piles of albums
We were so happy the times that we bought them
All that we knew about love is in them
All that we have learned
Helping you out when I don't even wanna
Carrying boxes of memories for ya
I'm not a smoker but now I'm searching, for a light
[Chorus]
Now we are having a party
And all our friends are having a laugh, hey
But it's not so funny to me
When morning comes, you’ll be gone
Ummm
[Verse 2]
We got a problem, they are playing our song but
We're done with the dancing
It won't be long before everyone asking
Wishing that we could still talk about it
Look at all that we have got
Your own decisions will come back to haunt ya
And I'll be the ghost of the lover who lost it
Is there a way that we can talk about it?
Oh, no
Chorus]
Now we are having a party
And all our friends are having a laugh, hey
But it's not so funny to me
When morning comes, you will be gone, ummm
We're just having a party
But its feeling like a funeral, hey
But nobody knows it but me
When morning come, you will be gone, oooh
That’s when the music stops
[Kojey Radical: ]
I can never bite my tongue when I'm love drunk
Tell wisdom hold me back, your faith to take a shot
Your destiny was to chase, these dreams just got me lost
The apple that rogue too far, temptation that it may pluck
These lemons are far too bitter, a double came on the rocks
This was never breaking news
(All that we've been through)
We might never get that time back, but never needed to
Wait for me, I am way too selfish, I am way too
Way too helpless, away too much
This can't be healthy for us
Understand we over stood like Badu
And Mali was us
Could’ve told me, all I needed was trust
We'll make it work
Truths back and forth just make it worse
Every piece of advice could fill a hearse
Regrets only help you remember worth, right
Why can't I smile when I'm happy for you?
Pop a bottle, drown the sorrow, time is bubble
Sure you know this already, shouldn't have to tell you
Who cares if I make a scene?
This is my house, this was our home
Before you turned the lights out
Wisdom told me let her go, fate told me that you'd come back
Your destiny's yours to chase
I try to keep us intact
My promises on your finger
Your burdens upon my back
I promise to have my back
You promise that you'll be
vannahloveforever
Just discovering JP Cooper's music. I feel blessed.
Georgi Hanes
vannahloveforever me too
Cameron Monahan
i think the video is depicting a story with the two faces. when the guy and girl meet eyes it signifies their initial meeting, the emotions grow to happiness but you could always tell the girl had more emotion, more spark in her smile. the guy had it just not so much, and when he became distracted by the girl who walked in front of him it signifies it in real life and once that happened the emotions turn to almost petty or sad to grief. also the color of the faces plays a role as well. the beginning was like a lavender or love color, after the distraction it goes to red for frustration or anger and then it turns to blue for sadness. this really is a masterpiece here. beautiful video.
Owen Martin
JP is mostly in red whenever he is shown... Do you think that signifies that same frustration you mention?
Cameron Monahan
I wasn't necessarily meaning JP but the man and women who had there moment. It's very possible the emotion can translate to JP himself
seanveluxe
Cameron Monahan awesome observation I totally see where ur coming from.
Phuong Trang
Damn, you deep as fuck. Great observation
Life lived by Liv
Jp never disappoints 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽💖💃🏿
Ryan Nicolas Enciso
After 3 years, I still love this song 🖤🖤🖤
Susie Mulholland
its amazing how they can tell the stages and story of a relationship of the boy and the girl without them doing anything, I love this song to pieces