The multi-instrumentalist and composer cktrl has been celebrated for his stirring, expressive music since the release of his 2020 track, “Robyn.” When we meet to speak, he jokes that his mouth is still a little sore from playing so many concerts. The Londoner, whose real name is Bradley Miller, recently released his debut album, Spirit, and has been performing back-to-back shows, witnessing in real time how his arresting, plaintive, saxophone-led songs move people.

Tara Joshi: When did you first start playing music?

cktrl: Growing up in [the London Borough of] Lewisham, we had a really good music program—our instruments were free, our lessons were free. We had assemblies in primary school where someone would come in and show us different instruments. It became another subject at school for me, and every Saturday I’d go to Deptford Music Centre for clarinet lessons, saxophone lessons, orchestra, samba, theory, band…  

TJ: Did you keep studying music once you finished school?