With his monthly Spotify listeners continuing to grow and an impressive list of collaborations and festival appearances under his belt, Bipolar Sunshine is entering an exciting new chapter in his career. At the heart of Bipolar Sunshine’s artistry is a deep connection to melody, storytelling and the world around him. From working alongside global electronic artists like DJ Snake to performing at major festivals including Electric Forest and Ultra, the Manchester-born artist continues to carve out his own space within the electronic music landscape.
Liana Stern: Your monthly Spotify listeners have continued to increase. Has anything about your creative mindset or approach changed as your audience has grown, or are you continuing along the same path you’ve always been on?
Bipolar Sunshine: I see it as setting out a plan from the beginning and continuing with it. I can see that it’s working in some aspects, so I’m doubling down on what I’ve been doing and being strategic about the releases and features I take on. All of that is helping push my brand and the style of my music forward, while still allowing me to focus on my own records.
Spotify numbers are a great thing to have, but I feel like really pushing toward that one-on-one connection and getting to know my fanbase is the biggest step for me.
LS: You’ve worked with a lot of different global artists, including DJ Snake. What have you learned from collaborating with artists who each have their own distinct creative identities?
BS: I think I learn something from every single artist I work with. There’s always something I want to take from them, and that’s the reason why I work with them in the first place. Each one brings their own distinct sound and style. Being able to work with so many great artists who have a real humbleness and a strong work ethic. The ones who are always trying to make something, always trying to create, and be the best they can possibly be, only inspires me to go for greatness myself.
LS: You’ve described yourself as someone who blends soulful melodies with electronic music, while also being a songwriter. How does your songwriting side influence your production process?
BS: I’ve always had an energy toward melody. Melody, to me, is always the first thing I draw for, whether it’s in production or songwriting. I’m always probably going to go for the melody before the lyrics. The two work hand-in-hand for me. Even before we got on this call, I had probably done three or four voice notes with song ideas and melodies, just humming where I think each thing needs to go.
I don’t necessarily need to be in the studio all the time. I would rather be doing something mundane, like washing the dishes or packing my bag, and then have a melody come to me. When that happens, you have to jump on it. My mentality is that as soon as an idea comes, you have to put it down, even if it’s just in a voice note, and then you can go back to it later.
LS: So you don’t necessarily draw inspiration from one specific place. Is it more about allowing ideas to come to you naturally?
BS: I feel like I’m just living life, and when you’re living life, things come to you rather than purposely going out to search for something to write about. It’s easier when you’re actually living the life you’re writing about and paying attention to what you’re seeing and people’s conversations.
Whether I’m on a tram, a bus or anywhere around people who are talking or showing emotion, that’s the easiest and best place for me to write. I write stories based on people I don’t even know, just from my own viewpoint.
LS: You’ve played major festivals like Electric Forest and Ultra over the past year. Was there a live moment that really stood out to you or felt like a recognition of your success?
BS: I think doing those types of festivals and playing these really big shows with amazing artists all accumulate into one real moment. Obviously, starting things off with Snake was mind-blowing, and then we did Ultra together. I recently did my own show in France called Packer Festival, which was great. I DJ’d and played some of my own records.
That feeling of performing, whether it’s to 100 people or 80,000 people, doesn’t really matter. It’s the act of delivering something that I consider to be art to other people.
LS: Looking ahead, is there a dream collaboration, festival or show that you’d love to make happen?
BS: There are so many. I’d love to work with Peggy Gou and Pharrell. A collaboration with them would be super sick, that would be a dream.
As far as festivals go, I’d love to play Glastonbury. I think it’s one of the best festivals in the UK, and it would be amazing to perform there. Fuji Rock would also be incredible. There are so many cool artists coming out of the UK, and I feel like I could do something really special with some of them, especially on the house side.
LS: Finally, can you explain the story behind the name Bipolar Sunshine? What does it mean to you?
BS: I wanted to use the name Bipolar Sunshine so I could write across the highest to the lowest spectrums, while the sunlight represented the light at the end of the tunnel. Wherever you’re going, there’s always a way out.
Living in Manchester also influenced the name because the weather there is very unpredictable. So it was a homage to where I’m from, while also giving me the freedom to write about whatever I really wanted.
Bipolar Sunshine’s story is ultimately one of growth, creative freedom and finding inspiration in the world around him. As his audience continues to expand, he remains focused on staying true to the vision he established from the beginning while building deeper connections with the people who connect with his music.