Loyle Carner

The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed

Loyle Carner talks to Simon Armitage in his own creative 'shed' - Hackney Road studios in London where he spend much of lockdown writing and also recorded his latest acclaimed album Hugo. Their conversation ranges from writing lyrics and poetry, to family and fatherhood , cooking and creating genreless music. Chilli Con Carner is a cooking school Loyle runs for children with ADHD , something close to his heart as he has a diagnosis for both ADHD and dyslexia . His debut album Yesterday's Gone released in 2017, was nominated for the Mercury Prize. He gives his mother Jean airtime here to recite a poem she's written about her eldest son. His second - Not Waving but Drowning - the title of a poem by Stevie Smith , continues to show his love of poetry. Becoming a father himself in 2020 comes into the conversation along with the importance of his musician step-father as a guiding influence, and the cultural significance of food growing up especially the cuisine of Guyana - home to his birth father.

Produced by Susan Roberts