“So, Jay, you had such a massive year last year. I think it’s not an understatement to say that.” Cue a slightly awkward snigger from Jay Brown in response to presenter of BBC Introducing in NorthamptonLal Muttock’s question that is seemingly more statement than it is inquisitive. Awkward because ‘massive’ is exactly the kind of year Jay had last year.
To name only a few achievements: picked for Radio 1’s playlist; featured on Radio 2 as part of Krissi Murison, the first female editor of the NME, hosting a spoken word session; recorded with and supported fellow up-and-coming Sofarians Bastille, culminating in playing to a packed out Koko. These are not your everyday achievements; sure you might have refrained from drinking alcohol for the whole month of January and lost a whole two pounds as a result of your admittedly dwindling ‘new year, new you’ fitness regime, but Jay’s are proper achievements that spawned from her creating proper music.
Or maybe the awkward snigger because Jay’s 2013 is set to be even bigger than her 2012? In response to Mr. Muttock querying about what is to come for the Northampton-bred, London-based composer of ‘silky indie pop with a twist’ in the new year, Brown responds with just one word: gigs. Upon elaboration, it is clear she isn’t lying. To start, there are her conventional gigs (details of which you can find on her Facebook Page). It says something about the quality of Jay’s music, inspired by her ‘love of rock, soul, ska, reggae and pop’, that, at time of writing, her next gig is a showcase; the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, aka ASCAP, are putting on all that is good in the music world at The Queen of Hoxton on February 5th (details of which you can find here).
As if all that has been mentioned thus far is not enough reason to get her involved in both a Sofar (which you can read about here) and a #DreamSofar (which you can read about below), it is the second and third ways in which Jay Brown is all about gigs that make us, and should make you, further love her so. Not only does she host tiny gigs in the room of her humble abode from time to time, Jay is also the brains behind her very own festival. Asked about Greenstone, she describes it as an “Intimate music festival where I get loads of music I like and we just all get together in a field and have a good time. That’s it, really."
It is this DIY attitude, this idea that music should be presented as music and nothing more, that is so clearly present in the previous quotation, it virtually makes Greenstone an elongated (it runs over three days in the middle of August) Sofar session, just without a roof. Probably best you got yourself a ticket(and an umbrella, just in case) and we got her to tell us all about who would be at her dream Sofar, then.
Jay Brown’s dream Sofar would consist of:
‘I'm going to start with my Jamaican roots as this is what I was brought up on and has definitely inspired me! Bob also reminds me of my uncles and every time I hear this song it reminds me of family parties and when I was a child.’
‘Would you believe this was only introduced to me properly recently by my good friend? I have always known of 'The Eels' but never really took the time to sit and listen - I know, mad! I love direct and matter of fact lyrics; The Eels are able to do this so well. I also love how when you hear them, you can picture things instantly and relate. They also mix a lot of genres within their music, which I also love to do.’
‘Growing up, this was my favourite band so I have a soft spot for them. A five piece from the US of A. They were lyrical, had great melodies and a massive energy on stage. I wrote a lot of poetry when I was younger so I guess Brandons Boyd's - the lead singer - love of it got me into their stuff. Morning View is still one of my favourite albums to this day. What's crazy is I have never seen them live.’
‘I love both their music and lyrics, but most of all I love the way their music makes me feel: relaxed, nostalgic and thoughtful.’
‘This is a recent band that I have got into. I have had this song on reeee- peat on my iPod lately and really want to see them live! They make you feel free. Picture this jumping around the room and spinning till your dizzy and laughing your head off. Yep!’
‘I heard this and I fell in love. That is all.’
‘Man, this song was amazing! I want to do this so bad! Sing and have a full orchestra behind me.’
‘I was a massive nu-metal fan when I was younger so this would be my blast from the past.’
Pictures: James Houghton (from London) and Kiri Scully (from London)
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