Coming from a council estate in Liverpool to winning a national classical music awards show, it’s not meant to happen. But it’s like I manifested it from these early moments…’ Says Brad Kella, the most surprising young musical prospect of 2024, from the home he shares with his partner and two young children. ‘I was always fascinated with music.
Even as a little boy, watching films with my mum, I’d be drawn to the sound effects from the TV. Then later, when I went to high school, I heard a teacher playing the piano, and I remember thinking how amazing it was that someone could do that. It was like something in me clicked.’ There are fewer stories more heartfelt and inspiring in music than Brad’s. Though only at the beginning of a promising career, there have been enough peaks and troughs that would discourage the most hardened artists. Coming through early adversity, being fostered and ending up living on the streets – he went on to win Channel 4’s national televised talent show, The Piano.
Growing up initially in Bootle, a working-class suburb of Liverpool, a problematic family situation led to Brad and his twin brother being placed into foster care at the age of seven. In this more stable environment, Brad’s love of music was given room to blossom.
