Q&A: Quinn Oulton on ‘Lead You To Water’ and the Art of Simplicity
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
QUINN OULTON’S LEAD YOU TO WATER EP marks a significant evolution in his sound, a deliberate stripping back to reveal the raw emotion at the core of his music. Moving away from intricate layers, Oulton embraces simplicity and space, allowing his jazz-infused R&B and alt-pop to breathe. This EP is a deeply personal journey, exploring themes of love, vulnerability, and life-altering moments, all translated into poignant and honest songwriting.
In this interview, Oulton delves into his creative process, discussing the inspirations behind his minimalistic approach and the challenges of translating intimate experiences into music. He shares the poignant backstory of "Heavy Breathing," a track born from a partner's health scare, and explores the eclectic mix of influences that shape his unique sound, from 90s/2000s R&B to the experimental textures of Björk and James Blake.
As he embarks on his second album, Oulton continues to push his creative boundaries, promising a deeper exploration of textures and improvisation.
LUNA: Your EP Lead You To Water feels like a pivotal moment in your career. How would you describe the evolution of your sound leading up to this release?
QUINN OULTON: This EP is definitely a turning point for me. My earlier work had more layers, more intricacy, but over time I felt a need to strip things back - to focus on what really matters in a song. Lead You To Water is a reflection of that shift. I’ve always been drawn to rich harmony and texture, but here, I wanted to let space and simplicity do the heavy lifting. It’s still me, still rooted in the jazz influences I’ve always had, but I think I’ve honed in on a sound that feels more honest.
LUNA: You’ve spoken about stripping back your music to focus on simplicity and space. What inspired you to take this more minimalistic approach, and how did it shape the creative process for this EP?
QUINN OULTON: It came from a lot of things - listening to artists who use space so well, but also a realisation that complexity doesn’t always mean more impact. I wanted the emotion to be front and centre, without dressing it up too much. That meant being more intentional with production choices, letting raw performances speak for themselves. Every note, every sound had to earn its place. It was a challenge at first, but ultimately it made the writing process feel a lot more connected and direct.
LUNA: The themes on Lead You To Water are deeply personal, ranging from love and self-destruction to health scares and perspective shifts. Was it challenging to translate such intimate experiences into your music?
QUINN OULTON: Yeah, in some ways. But I think music has always been my way of processing things - it’s where I make sense of emotions that are hard to articulate otherwise. With this EP, I let myself be more vulnerable than ever. There were moments where it felt uncomfortable, but that’s usually when you know you’re onto something real. It’s about being honest, not overthinking, and letting the music carry the weight of the story.
LUNA: The track “Heavy Breathing” has a particularly poignant backstory. Can you share more about how this song came to life and what it means to you personally?
QUINN OULTON: That song came from a really difficult time when my partner was facing a serious health scare. It was one of those moments where everything else fades into the background - you're just stuck in this limbo. I remember feeling so helpless, trying to be strong for them while dealing with my own fear and uncertainty. Heavy Breathing came out of that space - that tension between love and powerlessness. Musically, I wanted it to feel intimate but unsettled, like you're inside that moment, feeling every breath, every pause.
LUNA: Your music blends influences from 90s/2000s R&B with unconventional production techniques. Who or what are your biggest inspirations when it comes to crafting your unique sound?
QUINN OULTON: It’s a mix of things. I grew up listening to a lot of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, that whole era of neo-soul, and those grooves are still embedded in how I feel rhythm and space. But I also love the textural weirdness of artists like James Blake, the sonic risk-taking of Björk. Then there’s the jazz side - Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock - those harmonic choices definitely bleed into my writing. I think I’m always looking for that balance between warmth and unease, beauty and distortion.
LUNA: You’ve collaborated with artists like Linden Jay, Reuben James, and Col3trane. How do these collaborations influence your solo work, and what do you learn from working with other creatives?
QUINN OULTON: Collaboration pushes you to think differently. Everyone brings their own instincts, their own way of approaching a melody or a groove, and that keeps things fresh. Linden, for example, has such a unique ear for sonics - working with him made me re-evaluate my own production choices. Reuben’s touch on piano is so effortlessly perfect, and playing with him and feeding off his ideas is such a joy. It’s all about letting go of ego and being open to new perspectives.
LUNA: Relocating to LA and Berlin must have brought new perspectives and energy to your music. How has immersing yourself in these different creative environments impacted your artistry?
QUINN OULTON: Massively. LA had this openness, this sense of possibility and assuredness - it’s been the centre of so much innovation across genres and scenes, the whole music making process there feels like a well-oiled machine. Berlin, on the other hand, had this raw, experimental energy that really resonated with me. There’s a kind of fearlessness in the way people make music there, and that rubbed off on me. Moving around just reminds you that music isn’t one thing - there are infinite ways to express an idea, and that’s exciting.
LUNA: Your background in jazz gives you a distinct edge in understanding and crafting complex musical arrangements. How does this foundation inform your approach to RnB and alt-pop?
QUINN OULTON: It’s in everything I do, even when I’m not thinking about it. Jazz teaches you to listen, to be reactive, to leave space. It also gives you this whole other palette of harmony to draw from - stuff that can add a different emotional depth to a song. But more than anything, jazz is about feel. Even if I’m working in an R&B or alt-pop space, that mindset is still there - the idea that music should breathe, should evolve naturally rather than being forced into a rigid structure.
LUNA: You’ve achieved significant streaming success and grown a loyal fanbase. How do you balance the pressures of creating music that resonates commercially while staying true to your artistic vision?
QUINN OULTON: It’s tricky because there’s always that voice in your head wondering how a song will be received. But I try not to let that dictate the process. The music that connects the most is usually the stuff that comes from an honest place, rather than chasing a certain sound or trend. Of course, I want people to listen and engage with it, but I don’t want to compromise on what feels right to me. The best balance is making music you believe in and trusting that it will find its audience.
LUNA: What’s next for you now that Lead You To Water is out?
QUINN OULTON: I’m working on my second album now. The EP was about stripping things back, getting to the core of what I wanted to say, and I think this next project is pushing that even further. I’m exploring new textures, trying to be even more deliberate with my choices, and allowing some more of the essence of experimentation improvisation that happens in the early stages of my writing to leak into the final product. It’s still in the early stages, but I’m excited to see where it goes.
