Wilkins was born in Croydon, London.[citation needed] He began taking piano lessons at the age of four.[2] Wilkins earned a scholarship to a music conservatory as a child.[2] Growing up, he played organ at cathedrals and other venues around London.[2]
Wilkins went on to the Royal College of Music in London.[2] Wilkins later graduated with a physics degree from Imperial College.[2] While in college one of Wilkins early jobs was teaching piano.[2] He also interned at Townhouse Studios and Olympic Studios where he received further training in engineering, mixing, and producing.[3]
In 2009, he worked with Irish pop band Westlife on the track "Sound of a Broken Heart" included in their Where We Are album. Cheryl Cole released the single "Fight For This Love" in October 2009, taken from her album 3 Words.[6][17] In July 2014, Cheryl Cole released the single "Crazy Stupid Love" from her fourth studio album. Wilkins co-wrote and co-produced the song, which also features British rapper Tinie Tempah.
Songwriting and gears
Wilkins has stated that he prefers to start with chord progressions as opposed to lyrics.[2] He has said he attempts to be a "vessel" in which music flows out of him naturally.[2] He prefers writing and producing together.[18] He says that he tends to write simple lyrics and chords.[19]
Early in his career, Wilkins worked under mixing engineer Mark "Spike" Stent of EMI.[18] Wilkins usually records an artist by moving to their place with portable gear.[19] Wilkins's gear generally consists of an Apple Logic, a MacBook Pro, and an Apogee Symphony Mobile System.[2]