Lucky Thief emerges from the Bristol alternative music scene, armed with an album full of catchy melodies and unapologetic heaviness. Lucky Thief is the one and only Ed Jefferson, the multi-talented artist who has written and recorded everything you’ll hear on this debut album. Aptly titled DIY, the project reflects his outlook on life, whilst exploring his own mental health struggles, relationships, substance abuse, and the impact of his religious upbringing. Getting things done yourself produces something unique and raw that’s imbued with a sense of accomplishment and pride. And he’s not afraid to shout about it.
Crafted over three intense years, DIY was recorded at Humm Studios with Dom Mitchison (Heavy Lungs, The Manatees, Pet Shimmers), mixed by Ky Witney (The Naturals), and mastered by Pete Maher (Pixies, Jack White, The Rolling Stones). It’s a personal but heavily relatable journey presented via a musical narrative. Jeffeson’s ability to infuse a grunge rock sound with melodic vocals, powerful riffs, and booming drums ensures audiences will be enticed from the album’s first note. We had the pleasure of catching up to discuss his music and the album
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi. Congratulations on your career to date. For readers who are unfamiliar with your background, how were you introduced to music?
In terms of being introduced to my instruments, it’s a bit of a strange story. When I was around 13, my parents had some friends from Australia who visited us and bought a bongo drum with them. I got quite into that and realized I had some natural rhythm. Not too long after, I was lucky enough that my parents bought me my first ever actual drum kit.
As for guitar, my younger brother played an acoustic before me at around 14 and I tried to copy him. I originally played the guitar laid flat across my lap; it made quite a difference when he said it was easier to play on its side! I’m completely self-taught on all the instruments I play, and it’s the same with my singing which is something that’s definitely improved over time.
Thinking about the kind of music I got into, I sort of came to it on my own and through my mates. I hear a lot of people get their tastes in music from their parents, but mine didn’t really introduce me to anything that resonated with me. I think I was really lucky with moving to a new school at 13 years old where my friends were getting into heavy music. I started out with Iron Maiden and Metallica (who were incredibly my first-ever gig at 13) and then I started getting into metal, metalcore, and emo. My friends and I really got into the scene and I totally fell in love with this new heavy style of music, which just made complete sense to me.
Were you ever inclined to pursue other careers?
My focus was always to have a career playing my own music. While I was at uni, I managed to do music on the side, then after uni when employment called, I had a few different jobs just to make ends meet, which I hated, just so I could keep creating. After being inspired by the impact of talking therapy I had following mental health struggles, two years ago I started training to become a counselor and will be qualified this May. It’s something I love alongside my music, but my aim has never changed from playing my music for a living.
Congratulations on your training. What was the emotional drive in you to become an artist, particularly a musician?
I’ve always felt a need to express my emotions creatively through music and provide an outlet for what I’ve experienced. Being the son of a vicar has come with its challenges, and I also still have to manage depression and anxiety which was diagnosed in my early 20s. Alongside this, I have also had issues with alcohol and drug abuse. All of the emotions that come with these experiences are channeled into my music. I have to make music, it’s not a choice – it has to be done for me to feel as good as I can.
How and when did you decide to form ‘Lucky Thief’
I’d almost given up on seriously making music after my last band split up, but I thought I would give it one more proper try. I wanted to combine heavier elements of rock music and influences such as Queens of the Stone Age, Deftones, etc. which I had learned from being in the previous band with my style of vocals. I released a few singles in 2018, whilst I was still trying to find my sound although one of those songs has actually been rerecorded for my debut album! That song’s called ‘Equator’ and it’s track 2 on DIY.
Respectively, of your many accomplishments, what are you most proud of, and why?
I had an aim to create an album playing every instrument myself, and I have achieved it. It took three years to write and record whilst navigating COVID and I’m so proud that I’ve released it into the world this August. I’m also really proud that I have managed to find a great live band to play gigs. That in itself is a challenge but at the moment things are going really well and we’re just getting started. As a live band, we’ve gone through several lineup changes mainly due to commitments changing but also occasionally due to creative differences. This new lineup is definitely the most talented, fun, and stable group I’ve been with.
We know the industry is tough and very competitive. What is your advice to budding musicians?
I’d say if it stops being fun, have a look at what’s going on. There are loads of stressors in making music such as issues of self-belief, confidence, financial, personal, and creative issues and these aren’t worth it unless you love the music you make. I would also say if you believe in your music don’t stop. Things take a long time and it requires patience but as soon as you stop, it stops. Having said that, if you feel you need a break, take one – the music will still be there to come back to.
Please tell us more about your album release ‘DIY’
Realistically I’d written four songs and was going to release them as an EP. However my girlfriend and best mate at the time suggested why not go for an album? The whole sentiment behind DIY is pushing yourself to do something you can be proud of. I worked with some great people along the way, I recorded it at Humm Studios with Dom Mitchison and it was mixed by myself and my housemate at the time, Ky Witney from the Naturals. It was also mastered by Pete Maher. The record explores my own mental health struggles, relationships, substance abuse and the impact of my religious upbringing. Three singles have been released which have had BBC Introducing in the West and BBC Bristol airplay as well as being featured on Spotify, Amazon and Tidal official playlists which has been amazing.
What projects are you currently working on?
At the minute, it’s getting the record out to as many people as possible, playing gigs, and promoting what I’ve made. We just had the ‘DIY’ release launch party at the Louisiana in Bristol (famous for hosting loads of successful artists – IDLES, Bloc Party, White Stripes) which was the best show I’ve ever played and we’ve got more shows lined up. The aim is to get a tour going and be playing at festivals next Summer. I’ve also started writing my second album and have almost finished the third track off it. I’m feeling more confident in my sound after the great response to DIY and can’t wait to try out more ideas whilst keeping the ‘LUCKY THIEF’ sound intact. Basically, I can’t wait to write more, play more, and release more!
Where can we find out more about you?
I’m pretty active on Instagram so you can follow me at www.instagram.com/lucky_thief, feel free to drop me a message! And the best way to find out more is to come see me and the live band at a show, so keep an eye out on more dates to come!
For further information on the artist, visit the following links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luckythiefmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucky_thief
Main image Ed Jefferson as LUCKY THIEF playing at the Louisiana for the DIY Album Launch Party. Kieran Gallop at GLK Media.
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