Brad Kella Interview

From playing public pianos for money while homeless to winning Channel 4’s The Piano and touring the UK with Gary Barlow, Bootle-born Brad Kella opens up about his remarkable journey – shaped by foster care, fatherhood and the power of music – as he releases his deeply personal debut album, Phoebe’s Melody

Words | Tom Beattie

Let’s start at the beginning – how did your experience in foster care, and the influence of your foster parents, shape who you are today?

I went into foster care when I was seven years old, and I feel like my foster parents changed – and saved – my life. Without them and their belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. That’s the God’s honest truth. They gave me their hope, and made me believe I could go out and achieve anything. Before them, no one had ever really believed in me. So they had a massive impact, not just on my life, but on my music and everything I’ve gone on to do. It’s literally all down to them.

Who have been some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your style or ambitions?

My biggest influence was definitely my high school music teacher. He got me into classical music and introduced me to all the well-known composers in that world. Then, in terms of modern-day influences, I’d say I really love Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer, and other film composers. That’s where my passion lies at the moment. I’ve got a dream of becoming a film composer myself – and this year, it’s looking very promising.

What was it like to go viral overnight after a video of you playing the pianos at Liverpool ONE was seen by millions?

Honestly, it was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. When I was homeless, I used to play the public pianos at Liverpool ONE, and that’s how I made a living. So when someone spotted me and wanted to share my talent, it was surreal. Suddenly I had all these people watching and giving me feedback – something I’d never experienced before. That moment really pushed me to take the leap and go on The Piano. It gave me the confidence I needed, and it just felt like everything aligned at the perfect time.

A guy called Carl Norman recorded me playing the pianos at Liverpool ONE, and the producers of The Piano saw the video and wanted to know more about who I am as a person. So I went to Manchester for an interview with them. They really took the time to understand me and where I’d come from. I said to them, “I haven’t even got a phone. I’m homeless right now, living in a hostel with my daughter and my girlfriend”. I don’t think they could quite believe what I was telling them at first. Then I started to play – and the rest is history. They invited me to Liverpool Lime Street to take part in the main recording of the show. After that, everything just happened so quickly.

You became a household name playing original compositions on the show before being named the winner. Was that a dream come true?

Definitely. It’s one thing to listen to other people’s music or play over their tracks, but when I play my own compositions – music that I pour my emotions into and work really hard to create – it feels like a massive dream come true. Now, I get to perform on huge stages in front of thousands of people most nights of the week, and I’m just so grateful for it.

Sometimes it hits me: I used to play on public pianos, hoping people would throw money into a bucket for me. And now, people queue outside the Royal Albert Hall, paying to see me perform. It’s bizarre. I got to play [at the Royal Albert Hall] again recently with Gary Barlow. And it was unbelievable. I’m really grateful and just taking everything in my stride. I’ve never been on tour before in my life, so I’ve gone straight in at the deep end.

Brad performing on stage with Gary Barlow

What advice has Gary given you during your time touring with him, and what has your relationship been like?

Gary’s really taken me under his wing. I’m the support act, so I don’t normally play with him, but he went out of his way to let me join him on stage to play ‘A Million Love Songs’ halfway through his set. That’s something no support artist usually gets. Off stage, we regularly share meals and conversations. He’s always there and present for me. Honestly, he’s just a lovely, lovely guy. Letting me join his tour has done massive things for my career – I’m slowly building a new fanbase with his audience. I’ve been getting so many messages each night from his fans saying I’ve introduced them to a new genre, which means a lot to me. Gary is truly an unbelievable person.

Your debut album Phoebe’s Melody was released last month – was there a personal story or emotional journey you were hoping to share through the music?

Each piece on the album reflects a different part of my life, from growing up to now. When I signed with the label, my manager said straight away, “We need to get you in the studio and get all these ideas out of your head”. So we went to London and recorded at RAK Studios with some string players – it was absolute magic. We basically recorded the whole album in one day because I’d had these ideas in my head for years and just needed to get them out. Listening to everything come to life. To be in the studio hearing strings alongside my piano, all coming together – honestly, it was one of the most amazing feelings I’ve ever had.

You worked alongside Rosie Danvers on this album, who has previously arranged for the likes of Noel Gallagher, Adele and Michael Kiwanuka. What was that experience like?

Me and Rosie are really close friends – we speak all the time, and she even sends flowers to my foster parents and things like that. We realised on The Piano that we worked really well together, and that was proven when we got time together at RAK. She has a huge part in the album because she composed the string arrangements, while I wrote the piano parts. When it all comes together, it just sounds unbelievable.

I know she’s worked with some massive names, but she’s never once bragged or even mentioned it. She said it felt nice to come back to her roots since she was classically trained herself. I gave her complete freedom – I didn’t tell her what to do. I just sent her the piano tracks and said, “I trust you, and you’re going to come back with something magical”. And every time, she did.

What are the inspirations behind the album’s title, and was the song ‘Home to Me’ a love letter to Liverpool?

The album title, Phoebe’s Melody, comes from the names of my two daughters – Phoebe and Melody. The track ‘Home to Me’ is a dedication to Liverpool Football Club. We actually opened the season on Sky Sports with that piece, which was a proud moment for me. I’m proud to be a scouser, and I’m not ashamed to say Liverpool is home to me. I truly believe we come from the best city in the world.

I’ve read that your ultimate goal is to play at Anfield at some point in the future?

Yeah, it’s never been done before – a classical piano concert at Anfield. I feel if I work hard enough, one day I’ll make it happen. It would be massive, no doubt, and it’s going to be really, really difficult to achieve. But honestly, I’d just love that feeling!

Phoebe’s Melody is out now on Modern Sky UK

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