Billy Locket

Billy Lockett is a British musician from Northampton, in the United Kingdom. He makes music that is described as acoustic pop with indie and piano-led elements, and his work also sits within pop, indie, pop rock, folk and folk pop.

Background

He grows up in Northampton and starts playing piano at the age of 8, without taking formal lessons. He plays classical piano through his early school years and later joins informal jam sessions when his father’s friends visit.

He begins making music more seriously after deciding at 16 that he wants to do something with his talent. At 15, he starts a band after realising he does not want to spend his time in pubs. He later describes putting together the basic foundations of his career — including a strong live setup and management — as his main achievement.

Sound and influences

Lockett’s music combines piano playing with a soulful voice and a focus on melody. Early tracks include Heartache, a piano-led song, and One That Got Away, a more immediate, upbeat track. Another song, Follow Me, reflects his decision to leave his bedroom and present his music publicly.

He cites Radiohead as a major influence, especially for their experimental approach and avoidance of standard verse-chorus structures. Massive Attack is another important influence, particularly on the larger, more progressive feel of his song Clinging On, which uses loop pedals, unusual sounds and gradually builds in intensity.

Style and reputation

He performs with a distinctive leather jacket image and is associated with a self-taught, independent approach. His songwriting and playing are shaped by close attention to arrangement, piano notes and guitar riffs, and he aims to make music that reaches a wider audience while still sounding different.