When I first met Jeremy Redmore in 2009, he was the charismatic 23-year-old lead singer of up-and-coming Midnight Youth. He stood out with his edgy 70s rock star swagger, but it was mostly that mighty voice that drew you in.
The band went on to great - albeit brief - things. They shot up the charts with anthems like All On Our Own and The Letter, toured the world and headlined major festivals. But it all ended abruptly just two records in, when their frontman called it quits.
Today, Redmore is barely recognisable compared to the young singer back then on the cusp of big things. The trademark specs are still there, but long gone are the unruly locks and the trilby hat. The bravado is replaced with a quiet confidence. He's about to release his debut solo album Clouds Are Alive and although he has no idea where it'll take him, he's content. There are no regrets.
That's not to say it's been easy. "I feel lucky to be doing this again. It's been a crazy 18 months. There were many times when I didn't think I would get to release music again."
Redmore made the difficult decision to leave Midnight Youth in 2012, seeking personal growth. "Artistic direction was definitely a big part of it. The guys were heading down a heavy rock path and my music listening was turning towards a totally different direction. I think that's just a natural thing when you've been hanging out with people for seven years," he says.