Fil OK Talks New Album, Favourite Instruments And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Artist
London-based electronic polymath Fil OK has released his new album ‘The Steeple,’ under his We’re in the Water alias via OK Music. He kindly spoke to us:
What is your earliest musical memory?
Happily playing with Lego whilst listening to Olivia Newton John’s Greatest Hits and Manilow Magic in the back room of our house in Blackpool.
When did you begin songwriting?
I was around 15/16 when I got my first 4-track portastudio. My mind was blown at the possibilities!
You have your new album ‘The Steeple’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
To start with I assemble a group of songs that work as a whole and then arrive at a concept for the whole album.
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
It was recorded and self-produced in my home studio, then mixed with a friend over Dropbox.
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?
With this one it was just really me, so not much laughter was heard! But I did go back to some of those early 4-track recordings and digitise some of the parts, a few of which ended up in the final mix.
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
It’s all done on Logic Pro, and I use plenty of compression, EQ, stereo delay, pitch tuning and filters.
Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
a) Our Honesty
b) Compassionless
c) The Map
Who were the musicians who were on the album with you?
On this particular album it’s all just me, then at the end working with my mix/master comrade Rob Platt. On the follow-up album, “The Belltower”, every track features a singer, as that is a less cerebral, and more resonant collection of songs, about being present in one’s body in the physical world.
Does the album’s title have a specific meaning/significance?
Yes – it’s metaphorically using a steeple to represent the mind, as a place of solace where we can go to sort through our thoughts and values, and take things to a higher state of consciousness.
Was it a difficult album to write?
I wouldn’t say difficult, but very personal to me, so it was a confessional and a total labour of love.
Who designed the album artwork?
Fil OK 😉
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Blackpool: edgy, windswept, bosomy, vintage, desperate.
How do you look after your voice?
Oh cripes – I’m afraid I don’t do anything special. Throat-tea with manuka honey when I remember!
Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2026?
No plans to play the album live yet, although I do have a DJ residency at Dark Room in London, so I’ll sprinkle a few tracks in there.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
Some kind of joy – preferably for me and the audience, and a sense of connection.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I’m a pretty cheap date when it comes to equipment – I use Logic Pro with about a million plug-ins for most of the music, then a good reliable USB mic and cute Fender guitar. That’s pretty much it!
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
I can’t decide between “The Country Life” by Rachel Cusk, and “Monica” by Daniel Clowes, because I love them both so much.
One of the tracks is ‘The Map’. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?
That one was inspired by René Magritte’s Treachery of Images (This is not a pipe), and states that a map isn’t the actual territory – it’s a guide or blueprint to help you get around – in the way that thoughts aren’t necessarily reality, but a way to see the world, and that can change.
Do you have any visualisers to accompany the album?
Yes there are three videos, for the tracks ‘Bullet In My Brain’, ‘Motorbike’ and ‘The Steeple’, all of which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/@fillywilly
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Too many influences to list! But if you put Kate Bush, Yazoo, Aphex Twin, Deee-Lite, John Barry and Erykah Badu in a bag and shook them up, the result would be something I listened to every day!
Recommendation: I Start Counting (on Mute Records).
What makes Fil OK happy and what makes you unhappy?
Happiness is a quiet mind, and unhappiness is other people disturbing the peace!
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Artist
Fil OK’s new We’re In The Water album ‘The Steeple’ is out now – the first part of his trilogy of albums set for release in 2026. The second part of the trilogy ‘The Belltower’ will be released in June 2026.
