Glasswerk vs Ross Copperman

• 14th May 2007

Tipped to be the golden boy of 2007, American Ross Copperman comes under the punishing glare of the Glasswerk spotlight. His hands are tied back and the straitjacket is fastened, and when he lists Travis amongst his influences we unleash the hounds….

These are heady times for the Virginian based in West London. His current single (#39 in charts 15/5) “All She Wrote” may feature on ER, and if you're a fan of Virgin Radio and similar ilk, then undoubtedly he will be a familiar name, and increasingly so. Yet for many, who is Ross Copperman?

Our mole at Sony BMG put us on the tail of Ross before Christmas and we were able to secure him for the Glasswerk-XFM Outbreak3 Festival at the Purple Turtle, and what a show it was – a sell-out and undeniably one of the highlights of the week. Ross chuckles as he remembers one of his strongest London performances to date. Already confirmed for Glastonbury and V, it would seem the 'Turtle could be one of the last of his small London shows. If the exposure he is currently receiving continues at a similar pace (he's being filmed for Popworld on Wednesday for goodness sake) then lofty ambitions of headlining Shepherd's Bush Empire before the year is out, for Glasswerk obviously, may well become reality.

Growing up in rural Virginia may not be the most auspicious background for a music career but talent was apparent from an early age. It took the songwriting competition prize of a 40-date US tour to define him as a serious act with a confident and honed performance. Touring alone, a new city and new unfamiliar faces night after night can be a torrid affair. There are few steeper learning curves, yet Ross rose to the occasion and in his own words “it was one of the best times of my life”. It certianly put him on the map, and offers started to come in.

With influences such as Travis, Muse and Radiohead, yes Ross had been raised on a staple diet of British indie, it is perhaps hardly surprising that despite having sold 5,000 cds on his own Stateside, he chose to sign to Sony BMG in the UK. A decision he is certain was right. Equally unsurprising is the fact he still wants to make it big in America, clearly something that’s very important to him. Yet he is perfectly happy to bide his time and take his successes this side of the pond back with him to use as an enormous springboard, but only when the tie is right. For now he loves life in London.

“I’m the singer in a band” Ross answers, almost before I can complete the question. Glasswerk queries whether he is a singer-songwriter with a backing band, or the front-man of a group. “So you write all the songs yourself and the band is named after yourself?” Even down a telephone line you can see a sheepish grin break-out. It’s understandable, who wants to be type-cast as yet another singer-songwriter a la Jamie Blunt, Paulo Nutini et al? Copperman’s output has more balls to it than much of current crop of male singers. He has classic good looks that will always endear himself to a young female clientele, just look at comments on his myspace page if you want clarification of this, yet it is the music that drives Ross forward, and a gritty determination to accomplish every target he sets himself.

“I like to write about things and events that people can relate to”, Ross explains of the thought process behind his lyrics. “Like when you see a comedian, the best one’s are those that tell stories which strike a chord with you, that you can relate to”. Pushed further on that, Ross explains that “She” in All She Wrote was a girl at primary school, yet it applies as much to himself, and the feeling that no-one really understands you. Serious emotive stuff, yet built around powerful driving melodies that any mainstream radio would have a struggle to dismiss.

Get onboard the Ross Copperman wagon now – check out hismyspace link and website link – for the time being he still manages it himself. The single All She Wrote is out right now and you can catch him live at The Metro, Guilfest, Glastonbury and V Festival. He likes a whisky right before he gets on stage, so now you know how to make friends with him.