One musician we can’t get enough of at the moment is emerging talent Jamie Ley. With lyrics to make even the most established songwriter jealous and a singing voice which combines the desirable tones of Johnny Flynn and Adam Green to create a thoroughly engaging sound, we think he’s set to be a real force of folk.
A couple of days ago The Camden Store was treated to an intimate performance by Jamie and his friend, the banjo extraordinaire Rodney Fisher, at Sir Richard’s Steeles‘ ever-lovely Jingle Jangle night. We found a few minutes to discuss his approach to music and hear all about his special gig coming up at The Flowerpot next Wednesday (20 October).
CS: How long have you been making music?
JL: I started out writing songs at uni in Cardiff when I was eighteen. I did open mic nights, had a band there and then made the journey to London a couple of years ago. Once I was here I began playing some solo gigs and over time got a few new people to join me.
CS: And has it been all about the music since you arrived?
JL: Well, I’ve done a few jobs along the way, including working on Miss World(!), but these days I’m fully focussed on the music…
CS: Your songs are lyrically really clever and quite poetic. Is that your main focus when you’re writing?
JL: I think the whole package makes the song, but for me the words are the most important. I read a lot of literature and poetry and I do see my songs as poems. I’ve got this cool old book of English lyrical poetry that I sometimes turn to for inspiration. I’m also enjoying T.S. Eliot at the moment – I like how he focuses on dark issues like death, it’s an intriguing subject matter!
CS: Are there any musicians that you’ve seen play recently who you’ve particularly admired?
JL: I think Elena Tonra, who plays with me, but is a talented musician in her own right, is pretty underrated. I’ve also played with Johnny Flynn before and he’s great. I used to like Kid Harpoon but I don’t know what’s happened to him now…
CS: Any other artists that you enjoy listening to at home for inspiration?
JL: Um, Beirut, Belle and Sebastian, and I’ve also come pretty late to Bonnie Prince Billy but he’s cool. Anything beginning with B it seems! I promise that’s just a coincidence…
CS: OK, if you could perform with anyone, in any venue, who and where would it be?
JL: Wow. Jeez…Elvis? Maybe that’s a pretty obvious answer. Actually if I could play with Johnny Cash in some smoky old bar in Nashville I’d be in heaven.
CS: So you’ve got a gig at The Flowerpot next Wednesday – what’s the plan with that?
JL: I’ll be playing with a six-piece band for the first time, headlining for the first time ever, and showcasing a lot of my new stuff – a lot of firsts! Everyone should come down and have a fun time I think.
CS: And beyond that? An album?
JL: Wait and see? I’ll have to see how the gig goes! Doing an album would be a big thing for me – I’d want to get it just right. A lot of my favourite songwriters have incredible first albums so for me it’d be really important for it to be up to scratch…
We’d like to wish Jamie luck but something tells us he won’t be needing it.
The Camden Store Team X
Tags: elena tonra, flowerpot, Jamie Ley, Jingle Jangle, johnny flynn, Steeles
