“Irreplaceable”, is the title of singer, songwriter, and producer’s Ian Guerin’s triumphant new album, however it also describes his irreplaceable velvet and passionate voice and the titanic talent belonging to its creator. Already celebrating several successful singles generated from the album including: “Cry”, UK Best R&B Soul Song of the year, UK #1 single “Roll the Dice”, and “Free Time”, four time award winning U.K. #1 single, which has just been released in the US.
Like a raging tsunami Ian Guerin vibrantly and authentically writes songs from the heart…or should I say the heartbreak. Carefully choosing his lyrics, Ian sings from his soul. His R&B romantic touch defines his style and celebrates his destiny. His candid honesty goes beyond all smoke and mirrors. He tells the truth no matter how much it hurts.
Bring us up to date on what is presently going on in your career?
I’m still promoting my album “Irreplaceable”. It’s the singles tree that keeps on giving; I feel like Luis Fonsi with ‘Despacito’ or Lil Nas X with ‘Old Town Road’ when they tried to release albums, but their singles just kept on giving.
It’s the same for ‘Irreplaceable’, I’ve recorded over 5 collaborations & was starting to develop a sound for my next album — complete with a new anthem — & back we go because ‘Feature in Your Life’ has quietly become a playlists favorite & then everybody’s favorite & that at the same time has pushed the popularity of my U.S. single ‘Free Time’ — so it gets more exposure & attention too.
Then there’s these award shows coming up where I’ll hopefully perform & they help get the word out on ‘Irreplaceable’ so I’m just thinking on recording more songs for a Deluxe Edition, because it’s clear to me there’s more to this album.
What is the best advice that your parents have ever given you?
My mom — who is a Human Resources retiree — always tells me to never get mad at my team for getting things done wrong, because it happens in every company so I should see everyday work problems, not as a burden, but as what has to get done & overcome. She tells me I’m a company like everyone else’s, & I’m the CEO, so I have an obligation to be the best team player.
She also tells me my wish is my command so, if I’m brave enough to see it in my mind, I can hold it in my hands.
My dad told me from a young age (9) — when I came back from recording my first demo — that singers are cool, but songwriters are “the real deal.” He told me it was awesome that I wanted to sing, but that I do it singing my own stuff, because that way I could always be the ringleader of my show. I took it really badly for years — because I thought he was discouraging my singing — but I now know it’s true. You write your songs, you own your career, you don’t & someone else does. I can write for others & myself & then make it on both sides of the court. I thank him for that.
You are a glass of water, are you half empty or half full and why?
I’m both. My glass is always half full of achievements, satisfaction & gratefulness, & half empty because there are new dreams & goals to attain.
You are standing in front of Macy’s naked and holding up a sign, what does the sign say?
“I’ll take the clothes large & the sponsorship check big & fat.” Smile with shades emoji.
If you could be anyone in history for one day who would it be and why?
I think it would have to be Fred Astaire cause I’m obsessed with real showmen. Those artists that needed nothing but a spotlight, their charm & their sharply rehearsed yet born-with talent. Those whose sole presence brought the house down anywhere they performed. Gene Kelly said “the history of dance in films begins with Astaire & he’s the only one who’ll be remembered.”
I’m captivated by his energy & by the era he lived in, when music & entertainment were real, & production did not run the show. I’d love to feel what those times were like through his eyes; because in truth I feel like an old soul that should’ve been alive & performing back then.
If you could perform anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
The O2 Arena. All my contemporary idols have done it, & to me, if you play the O2, you’ve made it. It’s the epitome of class in the capital of music. Michael did not get to do it or he would — to this day — hold the record for most shows. So O2 it is.
Do you believe that music can change the world?
I think it can. It sure has the power to unite & that’s what we need, less greed, less hate, less ego, more love, more understanding, more empathy, common sense & care. It seems like we insist on using our privileged rationale to benefit us humans only, instead of all living beings.
Here we are the most intelligent beings in the planet acting so primal & positioning ourselves as the only animal on earth that does not contribute to its environment.
If we make music with substance — that’s not only fun but persuasive — then it’s repetition would definitely have an impact on people’s mindset.
To me there are songs so powerful that I feel like they’re a wonder of the world, yet I go out into it & few to none seem to understand that sentiment. I’d say the fans get it cause they’re equally as invested as I am, yet regular people — at least the vast majority of the ones I’ve come across — don’t seem to notice the moving power music.
Music can change your view & your vibe & it serves a purpose like everything else in life; it’s just a matter of wanting to see it & putting it to use. House pets have now discovered the relaxing power of classical music, so they’re now exploiting its purpose, yet here we humans are being humans thinking it’s only meaningless entertainment.
Do you have a hero or an idol, and if so who is it?
My heroes are my mom, my dad & sister, for putting me through the hard times, yet my idol is Michael Jackson.
The things that man had to endure in his life mentally & realistically speak volumes of the natural ability we have to overcome obstacles in our life. A lot of his loving fans follow me because of him & we all agree in the fact that he had a thick skin, because many of us wouldn’t have made it in his situation. He was completely forced to be different, first by his father, then by the public.
I think there is a merit to that level of achievement, regardless of the impossibilities, the insecurity & the trauma. He was a victim of physical abuse at an early age yet again he understood early that in life you dust yourself off & pick yourself up or you’re over.
That victim masquerade was just that. He was weird & spoiled & stubborn & made wrong choices, but don’t we all? He was unable — as many of us — to acknowledge his mistakes & blamed his lack of judgement on others. However, he was also a man who helped without bragging. The things he did choose to publicize were the ones that led people to paint the wrong picture.
He was never given enough credit & was judged my many when the saying goes: “the cleaner the closet door, the dirtier the skeletons within” & boy do we see some clean doors in many of those runny mouth’s households.
The court of public opinion is tough, even though he did put himself in vulnerable situations & made poor choices. I see the good & the bad in everything & Michael is no different.
Any new projects?
There are many. However, people need to follow me on social media to find out on a need-to-know basis, because I don’t want to jinx them.
What’s coming is big & we are in it together because, per usual, without the people that support me everything is just a dream. See all of you @iamianguerin on Instagram!
Watch the “Free Time” music video by Ian Guerin here:
Listen to Ian Guerin on the web:
Ian Guerin Album “Irreplaceable” Streaming https://songwhip.com/album/ian-guerin/irreplaceable
