SC. Undercover skirts the balance between the states of harmony and chaos. It’s his firm grip on the duality between the two internal states that reveals humaneness in failures, bad decisions, and achievements. The UK based artist explores the stark and grittier elements commonly disassociated with pop music. SC. blends elements of R&B, pop, and indie to deliver his drug, sex, and trauma tinged melodies. His new single, "Morals”, tells the story of a man tortured by his past. It is an introspective story of repentance and acceptance of individual flaws. SC.'s exploration of mental health is not limited to music. He performed a one man show based on PTSD and clinical depression for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He has also delivered talks at the Feltham Young Offenders prison, the Headway centre, and the HSBC university, on mental health. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about SC. Undercover.

Where are you based?
I'm currently based back in the Midlands.

Birmingham has a powerful creative music history, everything from the post-punk scene, the blues, to electronics, all at its niche. Bands like Black Sabbath immediately come to mind. Many people try to expand their taste looking towards artists from different regions, while some take pride and cherish hometown heroes. Did you listen to artists from Birmingham? What were some popular artists that you and your peers enjoyed?
Your right. Birmingham does have a lot of musical history. I have a lot of respect for my predecessors from the city. It goes to show that it can be done regardless of where you're from. For me, it was the local underground Drum and Bass scene that stood out in my earlier years, but I was mostly influenced by US musicians and artists.

Do you remember your first major exposure to a musician, band, or song that resonated with you?
Yes, I remember going to see Prince. I was near the front row and just stood mesmerised for the entirety of the show. I knew the songs he wrote came from the heart and he performed with such conviction that I related a lot to his work.

When was the moment that you decided to seriously pursue music? Was there an event, person, or feeling that acted as a stimulus?
It was in my teens, really, where I started to envision myself as an artist. Music was the only thing that allowed me to express myself and I knew it was what I wanted to do.

Your song "Broke and Sober" seems to reference emotional coping through sex and drugs. Is song-writing equal parts therapeutic as it is career oriented?
Yes, immensely. During some really difficult periods, I would write to get by. It was absolutely a form of therapy because of the intimacy and honesty in certain songs I was writing.

Mental health, in general, is a consistent theme in your music. Can you talk to us a little bit about this?
Mental health has played a huge part in my life and always will. I know how it feels to be rock bottom and I also know that there are things we can do as individuals to help us get through those difficult times. For me, music was one of those things.

You did a one man show on PTSD and clinical depression for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre work? Can you tell us a little bit about this show and what inspired it?
Yes. I was offered to do a show for the Birmingham REP, which is a theatre in my home city. I wanted to do something on mental health, but specifically PTSD because of how it's overlooked in some ways compared to other mental conditions like clinical depression. I sat down with a dramaturg and wrote the script. The story looks at a soldier who returns from a tour of duty and develops the condition and, in the process, loses everything in his life before finding his way again.

You actively give talks on mental health awareness. Can you tell us a little bit about this and how you got involved in this. Are you still doing this during COVID?
Yes. I mean, it has always been important to me to speak about my experiences in order to encourage others to seek help and recognise that mental health affects lots of people. So, I started doing voluntary talks at youth centres and Young Offenders prisons and it kind of went from there. I've been doing some short films on mental health during the pandemic, which I'm hoping to release soon.

How has COVID impacted your life in other ways?
Well, I can't do shows or travel, but, to be honest, I try to be optimistic. I've been working really hard on music and making the most of my time.

Mental health is a really huge issue now during shelter in place, with domestic violence and suicide on the rise. Do you have any advice for those suffering during this time?
Most definitely. Whilst we all have our own circumstances. it's important to know that no matter how difficult things are — they won't last. Take things day by day, or even hour by hour. Focus on getting through now if you can. And, most importantly, talk to someone about what you're feeling. It can really help.

How are you staying positive during shelter in place?
Working. I never stop working on new ideas and my goals. If I'm not working I get depressed.

What is your motto in life?
Give it your all, fight until the very end, and don't listen to anyone who hates or doubts your capabilities. If you fail, then you have done everything in your power to achieve what you want in this life. If you succeed, then don't be surprised because you earned it.

To learn more about SC. Undercover, please follow him via the below platforms:
Instagram: @scundercover
Twitter: @SC_Undercover
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYj_JyejUNOUjCSlFvwSSQ?view_as=subscriber

Photography by 4Brum TV.

SC. Undercover: The Beautiful Balance Of Harmony And Chaos