Ed Gent: Crafting Soundscapes of Empowerment and Resilience with "Tickets for a Light Show"

At just 21, Ed Gent is already making waves in the music world with his genre-blending style and introspective lyrics. His latest album, Tickets for a Light Show, is a vibrant journey through personal experiences and emotional challenges, blending synth-pop, R&B, and dance elements into a unique sound that resonates deeply with listeners. Drawing inspiration from artists like MIKA, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd, Ed's music captures the highs and lows of the human experience, offering a compelling narrative filled with both shadow and light. With this album, Ed Gent is not just making music—he’s creating a sonic journey that uplifts and inspires.

1. Ed, your new album, Tickets for a Light Show, covers a range of genres and themes. What inspired you to explore such a diverse mix of styles on this album?

When I began working on 'Tickets for a Light Show' back in May 2023, I was going through a very tumultuous period in my life. Cliché as it sounds, the emotional highs and lows I experienced pushed me to explore a wide array of musical styles as a means of expressing the range of emotions I was feeling. 

Each different style of synth-pop on the album reflects a different facet of the overriding themes, from the darker, introspective moments to the more hopeful and triumphant ones. For instance, 'Round 2' incorporates R&B influences, offering a slow-tempo that contrasts with the predominantly synth-based sound of the album. In contrast, there's songs like 'Down Low', which delves into deep house, bringing a dramatic, upbeat energy. So by using these styles, I aimed to create a multifaceted sonic landscape that could really appeal to, and resonate with, listeners on various emotional levels.

2. You've mentioned that 'Tickets for a Light Show' is a journey through self-discovery and overcoming adversity. Can you share a personal experience that particularly influenced one of the tracks on this album?

Sure! So the opening track, 'Beat of the Brave', is one of the sassiest songs I've ever written, but it is also a track that's close to my heart and took ages to perfect. It stems from a personal experience of being betrayed by someone I considered a friend. I wanted to write a song that spoke of the importance of believing survivors, and not enabling harmful behaviors.

Writing 'Beat of the Brave' was pretty cathartic, as it allowed me to channel my hurt and frustration into something powerful and defiant. Whilst jazzy and sassy, I think the song serves as a call to stand up for oneself and to recognise the courage it takes to face and overcome betrayal.

3. 'Mango' was the lead single from the album, and it explored themes of self-awareness and defiance against insincerity. What message do you hope listeners take away from this song?

'Mango' is a heavily metaphorical song, which, I hope conveys a sense of self-awareness and resilience. The song is about recognising your own worth and not allowing insincerity or deceit to undermine your sense of self. Just like a ripe mango, which is not bitter, ready, and full of potential, each of us has intrinsic value and should not be diminished by others' falsehoods or manipulations. 

So, whilst 'Mango' is definitely the most playful song on the album, I hope listeners come away from the song feeling empowered to not be swayed by those who do not appreciate their worth.

4. You draw inspiration from artists like MIKA, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd. How have these influences shaped your sound and approach to songwriting on this album?

I've been a massive fan of those artists for ages, especially since I started really exploring synth-pop. MIKA's exuberance and unique, often highly metaphorical lyrics, Lady Gaga's fearless experimentation and bold persona, and The Weeknd's ability to use synth-pop to portray dark themes have all inspired me to push boundaries this time around. 

On this album I aimed to capture their innovative spirit while exploring a range of emotions and stories through synth-pop. The song "Candy Coated," for example, is one of the most personal tracks I've ever written: it tackles themes like manipulation and deception head-on. This track, in particular, showcases my take on blending The Weeknd's style of dark, hyperpop and synth-pop with my personal narrative. I hope that, like these influential artists, I've managed to create something that resonates deeply with listeners.

5. Your track "Unbreakable" was featured on BBC Introducing. How has the reception to this song influenced your career, and what does this recognition mean to you as an artist?

The feature of 'Unbreakable' on BBC Introducing has been incredibly exciting and encouraging. The positive reception has helped me to reach a broader audience and connect with listeners who resonate with my music! Being recognised by such a respected platform means a lot to me, as it validates the hard work and emotional investment I've put into this album. 

Collaborating with my friend Mimi Brown on this song was a particularly rewarding experience. We wrote the lyrics together over an afternoon, aiming to capture the feeling of reclaiming autonomy and standing firm in what we know to be true, no matter the challenges we face. The recognition from BBC Introducing is a testament to the power and relatability of this message - which is arguably the central didactic theme of the whole album itself.