Neil Potter Climbs Toward Liberation With “Over The Hills”

For Neil Potter, music isn’t just a pursuit; it’s oxygen. The Liverpudlian artist has lived and breathed his craft since the age of 14, navigating countless stages of musical life: prog rock bands, global training with renowned mentors, university studies, live solo and duo performances, and even running his own music school.

His debut single, “Over The Hills,” serves as the perfect culmination of decades of obsession, education, and hard-earned wisdom, wrapping all of that into one raw and explosive introduction.

“Over The Hills” lands like a gut punch to anyone who has been blindsided by heartbreak. The track traces the aftermath of a toxic relationship, where the narrator’s lover abandons him and pins all the blame on his shoulders. Potter does not shy away from that emotional wreckage; he dives into it headfirst.

At first, the guitars move with a slow, reflective pulse, making room for Potter’s vocals to drip with confusion and longing. But soon, the arrangement begins to escalate. As the realization sets in that maybe he was not the one at fault, the instrumentation surges with catharsis. It is the sound of someone finding strength in the rubble, refusing to be defined by manipulation, and walking away with his head high.

The payoff is a crescendo of freedom and defiance. Potter does not just narrate the journey; he makes you feel every jagged turn, every fleeting moment of doubt, and ultimately, the sweet release of self-acceptance. It is the kind of song that demands repeat listens, gradually embedding itself into the psyche. Think Radiohead’s brooding melancholy colliding with the grit of a modern folk rock anthem, and you will land somewhere close to Potter’s sound.

The accompanying music video intensifies the experience, placing Potter and his band on a darkened stage lit only by moody colors and drifting smoke. It is stark, hypnotic, and almost dreamlike, as though we are witnessing the inside of his subconscious made real. Potter does not need gimmicks; his stage presence is commanding enough. Every strum and every soaring note radiates conviction.

“Over The Hills” is not just a debut single; it is a statement of intent. Vulnerable, unflinching, and undeniably powerful, it sets the stage for a career that has been decades in the making. Neil Potter is not here to test the waters; he is here to dive headfirst, and listeners will be more than willing to follow.

You have lived many musical lives. What finally inspired you to step into the spotlight as a solo artist?

The solo artist was always the goal; everything else was a means to an end to get there. It just took so long because I wanted to know/learn so much. But another thing I’ve not mentioned in any other interview thus far is. I’ve strived to be different here, blending all styles learnt, etc. With my personal ethos always being to strive for uniqueness, because why aim to be another Beatles, Bob Dylan, or whoever! There’s only one of you, embrace it, and with that, the world of influences!.... unless you’re a tribute act that’s allowed, haha.

“Over The Hills” deals with heartbreak and liberation. Was this based on a personal experience?

Shhhhhhhh! Yes, but don’t tell her that! Haha. If I’m going to write about something so personal, it has to come from a deep and real place for me to emote the right way.

How did your background in teaching and studying music theory shape your songwriting for this track?

One of my quests that I set out on was to try and learn all songwriting tricks theoretically, then take the scores of the world's best songwriters/and my favourites. Then, we analyse them to see what makes them so special. Then teaching students the why and the how, which just reinforced, learning even more along the way. This is why teaching anybody any skill will inherently make you better at that craft.  

The video is raw and atmospheric. What vision did you have going into its creation?

This isn’t going to sound as exotic as the last answer, haha! I did two video shoots the same day, Over The Hills and Musica El Idioma. Musica was a bit more sassy. But with Over The Hills, it was just saying to the director Lee, at Vessel Studio. “This one’s just going to be a band one, mate,” haha. So it’s all his doing! But he clearly listened to the song and ran with it!