Coloured Paper Shapes Talks New Single, Songwriting And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By LPR Agency
Coloured Paper Shapes is the genre-fusing project of South London-based artist-producer Richard James Jakubowski. Blending jangly guitars, rich storytelling, and subtle experimental touches, his sound finds a sweet spot between indie pop and alternative rock. Having released the new single ‘Playtime’, he spoke to us here:
When did you begin singing/songwriting?
I first started later in my school years. I had a best friend who played bass and we used to hang out after school and make tapes which were just bass and vocals and that was the first time I had ever really had the chance to find my voice as I couldn’t play any instruments at that time. On the back of that when I left home for University I started listening to every critically acclaimed album and artist I could get my hands on to really discover my taste whilst also learning guitar. I’ve been writing in some way or form ever since then but only started releasing music in 2009/10 under my own name, later recording and performing under my Coloured Paper Shapes project from 2023 on.
You have your new single ‘Playtime’ which is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?
This track was originally inspired by a scene in Sean Baker’s The Florida Project. I often like to come up with chord progressions while watching movies or tv shows. The opening scene of that film, which follows three mischievous kids causing trouble around the motel where they live, was so full of naïve bliss, and wild abandon (in contrast to other elements of the film which also shows the bleak and hard living in the same location). I just felt I could hear a soundtrack to that moment and that was where the song first came from as I wanted to tap into that feeling of tapping into that carefree sense of play.
Was it a difficult song to write?
It actually wasn’t – I found the concept really easy to write too and some of the imagery I already had to build around from the film really leant itself to some great lyrics that came together quite fast. I could hear a bit of a Motown vibe or 60s Stones vibe suiting it and while I am not sure that’s what ended up coming out on the record, it helped me get a good sense of the tone of voice quite quickly.
Do you have a visualiser to accompany the track?
Aside from the imagery of the opening scene of that film, I would like to create some videos for the track in future. I see people jumping on a trampoline or dogs jumping to catch flying frisbees as a good visualizer for the track (opening credits of flight of the navigator spring to mind…) but there are lots of images that could work.
Where did you record the single and who produced it?
Drums were recorded by Simone Langiu, a session drummer I have enjoyed working with, at his home studio. Vocals, acoustic guitars, bass and a little bit of piano were recorded with Brian O’Shaughnessy on the sea on at Bark Studios in London. The rest was done in my home studio where I also produced, mixed and mastered the track myself.
Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?
I think the Martin Acoustic Brian has at Bark Studios sounds beautiful on this song – it had a much brighter sound than my own guitar and for me it does a great job in filling out the top end.
The vocals always sound amazing when recorded in Brian’s studio although I don’t know what mic he uses or if that’s the secret behind it. I think the analogue sound you get from his studio really complements the vintage feel of this song.
I also used a very low budget small Peavey amp mic’d up with an SM57 for the electric guitars but I think they sound amazing. A more high powered amp might have just obliterated everything else but that baby amp sits perfectly in the mix in my opinion and still sounds very present.
Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
a) Happiest definitely the new song ‘Playtime’
b) Not naturally a very angry man… but I do have a song coming out later this year which is very shouty…
c) Most reflective, probably my first Coloured Paper Shapes single, which is called ‘Fish Tank’
Do you have any further music releases planned for 2025?
I am planning to release my first Coloured Paper Shapes EP in the autumn. It will be Part 1 of a bigger concept album project I am calling Flamingo. It’s made up of a series of songs that together build a narrative following a group of 30-something co-workers caught in a familiar loop of post-work drinks, blurry weekends, and existential stasis, until one of them starts to see the cycle for what it is.
What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?
That I have told some people a story they feel connected too and that they leave feeling alive and human afterwards.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
I usually perform my tracks on guitar as it’s just my favourite and most expressive instrument for live shows. I am building out my pedal set up but it fairly simple right now. I like using a Boss Loop Station to bring in or recreate some of the atmospheric sound I have on some of my recorded tracks.
How do you look after your voice?
I’m not sure that I do
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’d love to soundtrack the Rivers Of London series – life in London has been a huge inspiration for my art so doing something for a novel that is so strongly anchored here would be great. But I also think the fantastical elements of those Ben Aaronovitch’s novels and the sense of humour of his writing would create a lot of room for creativity and interesting opportunities for the soundtrack.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Growing up we lived lots of different places in and around Stockport, just south of Manchester. I have many fond memories from there but I haven’t lived there in a very long time so I’d struggle to find the right words. London really feels like my hometown now. I’d describe it as a:
Captivating,
Confusing,
Strangely Beautiful,
Mess
of a city… and great for telling stories about
Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe planned for 2025/2026?
I am playing at an incredible late night coffee /bar called, Forty, in Tooting Broadway on 16th October 2025 and have a few more dates in other venues to be confirmed soon.
What makes Coloured Paper Shapes happy and what makes you unhappy?
Lots of things make me happy, I have much to be thankful for, but building little worlds in my head and turning them into songs and sounds is definitely up somewhere near the top.
What makes me unhappy, I think it’s an erosion of community in modern life and what I see as a rise in the glorification of a very transactional, individualistic attitude in society. I believe art and music can play an important part in combating that, making us feel less alone, helping us to connect and build community and that’s why I think it’s a worthwhile pursuit.
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By LPR Agency
Coloured Paper Shapes’ new single ‘Playtime’ is out now.
Listen Here: https://open.spotify.com/track/3vtMQH3qfzv3TxMyTrhUXH?si=72694880b4a84b20&nd=1&dlsi=d53763b11b15490d
