Ahead of his gig this week at The Chapel, we caught up with chap-hop maestro Professor Elemental to chat about Bob Ross, his latest album, and injecting loveliness into the world...
Hello Prof, how has life been treating you since you were last in Notts?
It’s been a roller coaster of whimsy, thank you for asking. This year alone I've been lucky enough to play at fairy festivals, heavy metal shows, fetish nights and psy-trance raves. My life is like a low budget remake of Quantum Leap.
For anyone who doesn’t know your music, can you describe it in three words?
Joyful Unexpected Hip Hop
This year you’ve been travelling the country on ‘The Lovely Tour’ - I think we all need some loveliness right now. What is currently lovely in your world?
Increasingly it’s about the small things. None of us are equipped to handle all of the complex problems in the world, but we can affect the world around us. Choosing a single cause and protesting or campaigning, finding an organisation to volunteer for or support, even going the extra mile to look out for friends and neighbours in need - these are the things that can bring a bit more joy into the world.
The wonderful joy about performing as a single character is that I get to live two lives parallel to each other and they both constantly cross over. My favourite adventure is always the one I’m writing next.
Your most recent single is called Bob Ross, another lovely man. What made you decide to write about Bob?
I wanted to make a really peaceful Hip Hop song and there’s nothing more peaceful or life affirming than a nice bit of Bob Ross.
Funnily enough, your 2025 album is called The Love Album, which contains a five-part guide to romance. Are you a romantic at heart?
Oh absolutely, I am wildly romantic while also being incredibly clumsy and generally incompetent. I've accidentally smashed bottles of champagne that I was trying to open, ruined surprise trips by blurting out the destination and once accidently booked a romantic Paris getaway in a sleazy hotel that was effectively a brothel. It’s a disaster, but my heart is in the right place.
With each album you seem to go on a string of madcap adventures. What’s your favourite tale to tell?
The wonderful joy about performing as a single character is that I get to live two lives parallel to each other and they both constantly cross over. My favourite adventure is always the one I’m writing next.
You’re performing at The Chapel this week with synth-rock artist Laurie Black. How did the two of you meet and what can we expect from the show?
It's going to be wild. Laurie is incredible - there’s really no one like her out there right now. Meanwhile I’ll be throwing out new songs and old classics, sharing a guide to getting more joy out of life and wrestling a swan.
The Chapel used to be home to the Ancient Imperial Union of Oddfellows, and hosted parties for the Ancient Order of the Druids. If you could create your own fellowship, what would it be about?
Why, it already exists! The School of Whimsy is a facebook group with over 5000 members. It's the last place on the internet that’s free of division and politics and exists solely to bring joy and brighten people’s days!
Plus, there’s my Patreon where I work with listeners to make new art and collaborate on creating weird and wonderful stories and songs together.
If people need an injection of loveliness in their lives right now, what would you recommend?
Reach out to someone you haven't see for ages and see how they are, find your nearest second hand bookshop and pick up something unexpected, do a good deed for a stranger, strike up conversation in a queue, get some good cake and eat it in bed, read comic books, join the Professor Elemental Patreon. Basically do your best to have some fun in whatever is your happy place, while also getting out of your comfort zone each day.
Anything else you want to mention to the people of Nottingham?
You are so much lovelier than you realise.
Professor Elemental and Laurie Black play The Chapel above the Angel Microbrewery on Wednesday 24 September. Tickets are available here.
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