Jon Allen has just released his debut single. So let’s get to know more about this musician…
R13:How old were you when you realised music was what you wanted to create in life?
Jon Allen I’ve been playing and singing from a very young age but it wasn’t until my late teens early twenties that I started to seriously consider the idea of being a songwriter.
R13: How would you describe the music you are creating?
Jon Allen: Old Skool.
R13:What style of music do you generally listen to and what are you listening to at the minute?
Jon Allen: I like a lot of music that has a strong sense of it roots and derives from a blues, folk or Jazz tradition. I just bought a Randy Newman Album called Sail Away which I think is top.
R13:How old were you when you wrote your first song? What was it about and where did the inspiration come from?
Jon Allen: I was probably 15 or 16. I was messing about trying to build my own multi track recorder with 2 tape machines, 1 mic, some headphone splitters, a set of bongos and a cheap electric guitar. I think I just wanted to record something so I made up some bloody awful song on the spot. I think love probably featured somewhere in the lyric!
R13:What musical instruments can you play?
Jon Allen: Drums, piano, guitar.
R13:Are these going to be implemented into your tunes?
Jon Allen: Yeah. I played piano, guitar and bass on my album. I didn’t drum. I handed over that job to my drummer, Tim. I just looked wistfully on from the sidelines when he did his bit for the record.
R13:When can we expect to hear more tunes from you, as your debut single ‘Going Home’ is an amazing song?
Jon Allen: Why thank you. You’re too kind. I have another single coming out early next year called ‘Young Man Blues’ and my album is also coming out early next year.
R13:Speaking of your debut, where did the inspiration come from for this song?
Jon Allen: The need for cash was a big inspiration (only joking). I just wanted to write an uplifting, contemplative song that was lyrically open enough that it’s exact meaning was open to interpretation by the listener.
R13:Which musicians do you get most of your inspiration from?
Jon Allen: Dylan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Tom Waits. The Big men!
R13:You have supported the likes of Damien Rice, KT Tunstall and Jose Gonzalez. Who would you like to support you on tour?
Jon Allen: God.
R13:If you could record a duet with any other artist, who would it be and why?
Jon Allen: Doing a duet with Aretha Franklin would be pretty cool! Nuf said
R13:If you could play any venue where would it be and why?
Jon Allen: Madison Square Gardens because if it’s good enough for Zep it’s good enough for me!
R13:What are your plans for 2009?
Jon Allen: I’m starting a UK tour at the end of January and obviously I’m planning to have a good time all the time.
R13:Lastly, what are you asking Santa for this year?
Jon Allen: Christmas number 1 of course!