With Mooreish out now, we took some time to hear from Whiskey General. Read below to learn more about Whiskey General, the story behind Mooreish, and what’s to come.

Hi Whiskey General! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Whiskey General came from a gig that I played in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, years ago. I used to carry a hip flask at all times and pretty much lived in cowboy boots. Being in Gatlinburg, I also picked up a hat. A barman said I looked like a General having a sip before battle. The name stuck. I’m British, so it should really be “whisky,” but the stuff in my flask was American. So, Whiskey.

What city are you from, and where are you based now?

I’m from London, really, though I’ve got bits of the world with me. I lived in Kuwait for a while and travelled around India for about two years. These days, home is split between London and Lancashire.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

Quite early on. I was an altar boy in church. Got bored of that, so joined the church choir. Got bored of that, started a band at school and then high school. Travelled for a bit, took a break, went to uni, then got back into a band almost immediately. It used to pay. It’s a struggle these days.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

I’d love to say honest, but I’m guilty of over producing at times. I’d say it’s controlled chaos. The simmer before the boil. There’s tension, but nothing spills unless it has to.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I write a lot. I’ve been diarising my life for a while now. I’ve submitted scripts and also do script readings when invited. I am also a qualified accountant.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

I grew up on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Soundgarden, The Clash, Genesis, Slayer, Cream, Kate Bush, Jim Reeves, and Demis Roussos. That mix shaped how I hear melody and emotion. I’m just as drawn to modern artists like Post Malone, Alex Warren, London Grammar, and Afro-house as a genre. But, I’ve always loved hymns for obvious reasons. And, I suppose my music is and “will be” a reflection of it all.

Who would be a dream to collaborate with?

Silence. I think most songs would be better if artists trusted space again. I can already picture Rich and Jack smirking as I say this, given I’m usually the one guilty of over-producing our songs. I speak in jest everyone.

Seriously though, someone who doesn’t want to collaborate. The most interesting music tends to come from people protecting their inner world, not advertising it.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

My first ever gig at Bradford Rio was a proud moment. Recently, having my Christmas single, “Guiding Star,” which I wrote for the mental health charity, The Stuart Low Trust, picked up by Universal Music and then Abbey Road Studios.

We’ve also supported Billy Bragg, Scouting For Girls, Doves, Idlewild and others. That was ace.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

Staying grounded is vital, especially in a band. If something doesn’t work out with someone, and this happens quite often than not, have a pint over it. It’s better to move on than to dwell on whatever’s eating you inside.

What do you think modern music culture gets wrong?

We’ve replaced patience with momentum. Four-week release cycles, constant output, etc. Not everything worth hearing arrives quickly.

My grandad, Lewis, used to make his famous Railway Mutton Curry (an Anglo-Indian staple) and he’d say: “You can’t hurry this dish, son. The good stuff takes time to make.” Same applies to music. The same, I suppose, with a good whiskey too.

Now onto your release, Mooreish. What inspired this album?

I wanted Whiskey General to have an album under its belt. So now I can focus on releasing singles rather than going through the whole cycle again.

Rich, our bassist and co-songwriter, and I lost our friend Bob Moore. Rich knew him longer than I did, but the short time that I knew him really struck a chord. The album was originally going to be called Moorish, but I decided to call it Mooreish in Bob’s honour.

What is the overall theme of Mooreish?

It’s the album for the chaos in your head. Every song is for the underdog. Every song is about overcoming the hurdle that causes the drama.

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for Mooreish?

I have a deep love for old Japanese art. I’m developing a recurring character in the way Eddie exists for Iron Maiden. The chap you see on the cover is a futuristic samurai, the ghost of Bad Jerry, or Badger for short.

Badger’s golden horns are his crown, and the mask covers the scars of battle. The background is neither day nor night. Neither victory nor defeat. It reflects how many the state of independent musicians right now. A stoic poise.

What was the creative process like when making Mooreish?

Exhausting is the word. I handled everything on this album, from the concept and production to the artwork, mixes, and PR. I’m grateful to my co-songwriters and session musicians for their contributions, but carrying it from start to finish took a lot out of me.

The album came out in July last year, and I really needed time to recover. We also lost our beloved dog, Brutus, during that period, which made it very hard to return to things. Christmas helped a bit. And, here I am now.

How long did it take to complete Mooreish?

About two years, give or take. Possibly more. I stopped counting.

Is there a specific song on Mooreish that speaks to you the most?

“Wind Up Toy Car.” It was one of the first songs I mixed in the cohort, and Jack Evans’ solo is honestly something to behold.

There are other tracks I’m proud of, like “The Beast,” “Shotgun,” “Love Like a River,” “Ride or Die,” but “Wind Up” is the one for me.

What message or messages do you hope fans take away from Mooreish and your music in general?

Whatever they wish, honestly. To independent musicians, I’d say keep going, no matter how hard it gets. To fellow humans, it’s always difficult to see the other side and find common ground. But, the real win is making your opponent question whether you were ever an opponent at all.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I’ve got around 30 unreleased tracks in the oven, and I’m aiming to release 10 over the next year as standalone singles.

“The Gift” is next, followed by “The Spell,” a haunting track that I wrote with a songwriter named Maw.

Where can we follow you on social media?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhiskeyGeneral
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@whiskeygeneralofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskeygeneralofficial
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whiskeygeneral.bsky.social
X: https://x.com/Whiskey_General

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!