JP Cooper - The Heart & Soul Behind 'Just a Few Folk' (Album) Explained
Thu Feb 05 2026
Singer-songwriter JP Cooper joins the Sonical.ly Podcast for a raw, vulnerable conversation about the heart behind his new album Just a Few Folk. In this episode, JP opens up about the meaning behind his emotional new single “Sad Song” ft. Gabrielle, the struggles that inspired it, and how grief, fatherhood, and faith have shaped his creative process.We talk about:The story behind Sad Song and collaborating with Gabrielle 🎤How he writes his most vulnerable lyrics and melodies ✍️Processing loss, doubt, and reconnection to self 💔What he wants listeners to take away from Just a Few Folk 🌱Why honest music still matters in a streaming world 🌍Whether you’re a music creator or a fan of authentic storytelling, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to your voice.Interview by Elmo Chong0:00 - Advice for Aspiring Songwriters0:24 - Welcome to the Sonical.ly Podcast0:31 - Introducing JP Cooper1:01 - New Album "Just a Few Folk" Overview2:05 - Growing Up Without Music at Home3:07 - Creativity, Loss, and Faith in Childhood4:05 - Music Discovery in Manchester5:04 - Guitar Culture and Early Influences5:28 - Discovery of Soul & Gospel Music6:03 - First Time Hearing Brandy & Monica6:54 - Joining a Gospel Choir in Manchester7:46 - Wayne Ellington’s Mentorship8:54 - Learning to Express Through Voice, Not Power10:27 - Biggest Challenges in JP’s Career11:02 - Internal Struggles and Artistic Identity12:13 - The Jonas Blue Collaboration Dilemma13:18 - Balancing Family, Work, and Music14:14 - Behind the Scenes of "Perfect Strangers"16:04 - The Label's Perspective on Crossover Success17:49 - Strategic Shifts in Album Production19:04 - Reclaiming "September Song"20:00 - Redefining What Success Means21:00 - Artist Expectations & Impostor Syndrome22:06 - Chronic People Pleasing Origins23:31 - Gaining Creative Confidence Over Time24:46 - Feelings Ahead of the Album Release25:45 - Personal Evolution Through the Album Process27:04 - Connecting with a Niche, Not the Masses28:12 - "Summer of Love" and Hotel Room Origins29:10 - The Simplicity of Emotional Chords30:35 - Project Ideas Sparked by One Song31:04 - Learning Music Theory and Instrumentation32:07 - Singing Comes Naturally, Instruments Take Work32:57 - Exploring New Colors for Future Projects33:07 - "Diamonds and Gold" — Love Letter to His Wife34:32 - First Time Seeing His Wife35:24 - Her Reaction to Hearing the Song35:33 - The Meaning Behind "Sad Song"36:47 - Turning Sadness into Armor37:48 - "Waiting on a Blue Sky" — Manchester Rain38:50 - Why That Song Opens the Album40:00 - Analog Tape and the Human Touch41:02 - Humanity vs. AI in Music Creation42:04 - Making the Listener Feel In the Room43:04 - Mistakes and Divine Creative Moments44:03 - Producing a Sample-Worthy Album45:06 - The Joy of Making Noise and Texture46:01 - Final Reflections Before the Rapid Fire46:09 - Last Question: Advice to Emerging Artists47:35 - OFF THE TOPLINE: Beat Challenge Begins48:22 - JP Chooses a Beat & Freestyles a Topline50:06 - JP Explains His Creative Process in Real Time52:52 - Capturing Concept & Nostalgia in Lyrics54:01 - Writing is Catching Breadcrumbs of Emotion55:03 - Editing, Crafting, and Digging Into a Spark56:38 - Show Don't Tell: Making Lyrics Cinematic58:50 - Freestyling vs. Editing: JP's Process at Home1:00:02 - Pulling Inspiration from Books, Films, and Art1:01:45 - Creative Dates: Surrounding Yourself with Inspiration1:02:43 - What’s Next for JP Cooper1:03:34 - New Album "Just a Few Folk" Out Feb 13
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Singer-songwriter JP Cooper joins the Sonical.ly Podcast for a raw, vulnerable conversation about the heart behind his new album Just a Few Folk. In this episode, JP opens up about the meaning behind his emotional new single “Sad Song” ft. Gabrielle, the struggles that inspired it, and how grief, fatherhood, and faith have shaped his creative process.We talk about:The story behind Sad Song and collaborating with Gabrielle 🎤How he writes his most vulnerable lyrics and melodies ✍️Processing loss, doubt, and reconnection to self 💔What he wants listeners to take away from Just a Few Folk 🌱Why honest music still matters in a streaming world 🌍Whether you’re a music creator or a fan of authentic storytelling, this episode is a masterclass in staying true to your voice.Interview by Elmo Chong0:00 - Advice for Aspiring Songwriters0:24 - Welcome to the Sonical.ly Podcast0:31 - Introducing JP Cooper1:01 - New Album "Just a Few Folk" Overview2:05 - Growing Up Without Music at Home3:07 - Creativity, Loss, and Faith in Childhood4:05 - Music Discovery in Manchester5:04 - Guitar Culture and Early Influences5:28 - Discovery of Soul & Gospel Music6:03 - First Time Hearing Brandy & Monica6:54 - Joining a Gospel Choir in Manchester7:46 - Wayne Ellington’s Mentorship8:54 - Learning to Express Through Voice, Not Power10:27 - Biggest Challenges in JP’s Career11:02 - Internal Struggles and Artistic Identity12:13 - The Jonas Blue Collaboration Dilemma13:18 - Balancing Family, Work, and Music14:14 - Behind the Scenes of "Perfect Strangers"16:04 - The Label's Perspective on Crossover Success17:49 - Strategic Shifts in Album Production19:04 - Reclaiming "September Song"20:00 - Redefining What Success Means21:00 - Artist Expectations & Impostor Syndrome22:06 - Chronic People Pleasing Origins23:31 - Gaining Creative Confidence Over Time24:46 - Feelings Ahead of the Album Release25:45 - Personal Evolution Through the Album Process27:04 - Connecting with a Niche, Not the Masses28:12 - "Summer of Love" and Hotel Room Origins29:10 - The Simplicity of Emotional Chords30:35 - Project Ideas Sparked by One Song31:04 - Learning Music Theory and Instrumentation32:07 - Singing Comes Naturally, Instruments Take Work32:57 - Exploring New Colors for Future Projects33:07 - "Diamonds and Gold" — Love Letter to His Wife34:32 - First Time Seeing His Wife35:24 - Her Reaction to Hearing the Song35:33 - The Meaning Behind "Sad Song"36:47 - Turning Sadness into Armor37:48 - "Waiting on a Blue Sky" — Manchester Rain38:50 - Why That Song Opens the Album40:00 - Analog Tape and the Human Touch41:02 - Humanity vs. AI in Music Creation42:04 - Making the Listener Feel In the Room43:04 - Mistakes and Divine Creative Moments44:03 - Producing a Sample-Worthy Album45:06 - The Joy of Making Noise and Texture46:01 - Final Reflections Before the Rapid Fire46:09 - Last Question: Advice to Emerging Artists47:35 - OFF THE TOPLINE: Beat Challenge Begins48:22 - JP Chooses a Beat & Freestyles a Topline50:06 - JP Explains His Creative Process in Real Time52:52 - Capturing Concept & Nostalgia in Lyrics54:01 - Writing is Catching Breadcrumbs of Emotion55:03 - Editing, Crafting, and Digging Into a Spark56:38 - Show Don't Tell: Making Lyrics Cinematic58:50 - Freestyling vs. Editing: JP's Process at Home1:00:02 - Pulling Inspiration from Books, Films, and Art1:01:45 - Creative Dates: Surrounding Yourself with Inspiration1:02:43 - What’s Next for JP Cooper1:03:34 - New Album "Just a Few Folk" Out Feb 13