We recently spoke with BUTCHIE about the inspiration behind his new single, ‘Gaslight‘, how it came about, and what’s next for this incredible artist.
You’ve worked in art, design, and poetry for years. What made you return to music?
Music and performance art were my original passion and medium of expression, but I buried my past when I pivoted to being a designer full-time. After focusing on visual design, art, and poetry, I rediscovered old lyrics and unfinished tracks in 2024. That sparked a strong creative desire to return to music as the ultimate way to bring all my artistic passions together.
‘Gaslight’ comes from a personal experience. Was it hard to turn that experience into a song?
It was emotionally intense because ‘Gaslight’ stems from processing the painful ending of a long-term personal relationship. Translating those feelings of manipulation, doubt, and betrayal into music required vulnerability, but it was also deeply cathartic. But more than that, my musical collaborator, Peter, was a big part of how the song turned out, as I thought it was too personal to finish. He felt it was a strong song. On his urging, I revisited the song and rewrote it to be more about the societal aspects of gaslighting.
The song covers both personal relationships and politics. How did those ideas come together?
I noticed striking parallels between the personal psychological manipulation experienced in interpersonal relationships and the broader societal gaslighting seen in politics and media today. Fusing them felt natural, as both stem from a power struggle over truth and reality. When does subjective reality become a danger to the planet is a question everyone needs to ponder.
Your music mixes 70s and 80s sounds with newer electronic styles. What inspires your sound?
I draw heavy inspiration from classic disco, synth-pop, post-punk, and early electronic music, blending analogue synth textures with contemporary production techniques to create modern energy. As for inspiration – I am a voracious consumer of new music – so trying to find a perfect sound for an idea, a lyric, a feeling is exciting.
Your producer, Peter Cattermoul, encouraged you to release ‘Gaslight’ as a single. What changed your mind?
Peter heard the potential and emotional appeal in the track and convinced me that its strong narrative and infectious groove would resonate immediately with listeners as an introduction to BUTCHIE, in his words, and I’m paraphrasing, “we need to open with a banger”.
The video is full of neon colours and moving images. How did you come up with the idea?
I wanted to create a feeling of being in constant motion but actually going nowhere. The concept was built around visually representing internal psychological disorientation. Working with vibrant neon aesthetics and fast-paced visual shifts allowed us to mirror the themes of distortion, illusion, and information/emotional overload. The Team at Telmic Studios did a great job of translating those ideas into a great video.
Has your background in design influenced the way you make music and videos?
Absolutely. My design background makes me approach music visually—thinking in terms of colour, structure, rhythm, and space. It directly informs how I conceptualize album art, music videos, and overall world-building for BUTCHIE. As my design background includes product and material design, sonic textures are real to me, and colours are frequencies. I don’t see songs as being very different from paintings…
What has it been like returning to music after so many years focused on other work?
It feels incredibly liberating. Reconnecting with songwriting brings a renewed sense of purpose, allowing me to distil decades of creative and personal life experiences. The emotional catharsis is really about hearing one’s own voice, and for me, recording and working with my own words and voice was the first time I really heard myself.
You’re preparing a live show and a new album for 2027. What can fans expect?
Fans can expect an immersive, multimedia live experience that blends live electronic performance with striking visual art, as well as an expanded sonic landscape on the upcoming album.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about BUTCHIE or ‘Gaslight’?
BUTCHIE is a new journey, and I’m happy to find an audience to join us for the ride. I hope ‘Gaslight’ empowers anyone who has ever felt manipulated to reclaim their own voice and truth.
Watch the music video for ‘Gaslight’ below, and find out more about BUTCHIE and his music online on his official website, Instagram, and Spotify.
