Years & Years star Olly Alexander chats to Cool's Pete Snodden
We're totally STARSTRUCK ✨
Last updated 6th May 2021
Pete Snodden recently caught up with Olly Alexander to chat about his brand-new single ‘Starstruck’.
Since forming in 2010, pop band Years & Years have enjoyed huge chart success with hits including: 'King', 'Shine' and 'Desire'.
Earlier this year, the trio announced they would continue as an Olly Alexander solo project. Emre will work as a writer-producer alongside the band whilst Mikey will only join Olly for live performances.
Chatting to Pete earlier this week, Olly described his new 'solo project' as exciting, but also nerve-wracking.
"This feels like a new chapter, it has all this new energy. I’m kind of nervous as well, what is people don’t want to listen. Of course, I used to share all of this with my mates, but it definitely was the right thing to do, the right decision for us."
"It feels good, I’m just excited to be back and get the music out!"
Check out Pete's full interview with Olly 👇
Last year Olly teamed up with screenwriter/producer Russell T Davies for the Channel 4 masterpiece 'It's a Sin'.
The show tells the story of the HIV/AIDS crisis, through the eyes of a group of friends living in London in the 80s.
When Olly first read the script for the show, he explained how he was hooked. "I loved it so much, I instantly connected to all of the characters and the story, and I cried. I thought it was amazing, but you just never know is anything will be liked by an audience - but especially for a show that’s about a specific community, the gay community in the 80s, in the UK, about a virus…I’m so blown away that people are still talking about it."
Listen to Year & Years new single Starstruck ✨
Years & Years journey so far:
Olly Alexander on the red carpet
Olly Alexander played Jason Banks in 2009 film Tormented. He had previously starred in TV movie Summerhill in 2009 and smaller roles in other TV series.
Olly Alexander at the premiere of Great Expectations
Olly played Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations, released in 2012. The film was Olly's first big hit. A year later, he went on to star in popular TV series Skins for two series as Jakob.
Years & Years formed
Years & Years formed in 2010, they are Olly Alexander, Mikey Goldsworthy & Emre Turkmen. The band formed when Emre and Mikey met on a website made for finding band members. Olly only joined after they heard him singing in the shower and liked his voice!
Years & Years release debut album
The band's debut album 'Communion' was released in July 2015. The album debut at number 1 in the UK Official Chart and outsold the rest of the top five combined in it's first week.
The band release 'King'
'King' was the band's first number one single and it went platinum in the UK.
Coachella
The band performed at Coachella Festival in 2016.
Years & Years at Glastonbury
Years & Years performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2019. During their set, Olly gave a powerful speech about LGBTQ+ history.
Years & Years at The Brit Awards
Years & Years have been nominated for a number of Brit Awards including: British Single Of The Year and British Group.
It's A Sin
Olly Alexander plays Ritchie in the 2021 Channel 4 drama It's A Sin created by Russell T Davies.
Years & Years is now a solo Olly Alexander project
In March 2021 Years & Years announced they would continue as an Olly Alexander solo project. Emre will work as a writer-producer alongside the band whilst Mikey will only join Olly for live performances. The trio have been together since 2010.
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