Jake Morley Interview

Jake Morley - Image: www.myspace.com/jakemorley
Jake Morley
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Interview

Q: You've got your debut album out this month how are you feeling about that?
It's pretty much the culmination of my entire career to date, so beneath this calm, cool exterior I'm pretty buzzing.
Q: What does 'Many Fish To Fry' have to offer for people who haven't heard of you?
It's a big open-sounding record full of excellent little noises like celestes, large noises like choirs, and hopefully songs people will love. Ooh and I play guitar flat on my lap like a piano and make drum beats out of it! But it's the songs part I really care about.
Q: So for anyone who hasn't listened to you yet, if you could pick one track on the new album for them to listen to what would it be?
Ah you little beast! I'm going to say the first track 'The Light' on the basis that once you've heard it you might then just slip into track two, and the next thing you know you've heard the lot.
Q: You've become famous on the London circuit for your poetic lyrics, but where do you draw your inspiration from?
I like throwing everything of myself into lyrics, so it's ended up as a very personal record too. Sometimes a title would come to me first, like 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now', where the lyrics were partly inspired by the struggle of trying to write them. Others like 'Pondering On A Scenario In Which I Am The Hero' come from those corners of my brain that are so everyday I almost forget they exist.
Q: The album was recorded in just 6 days, how did you manage that? And are you happy with the process you underwent to make 'Many Fish To Fry'?
We tracked most of it as a live band, which is only possible if you have extremely talented musicians who really feel the tracks and are expressing themselves intuitively. We also spent some time after that adding things like strings, accordions, a choir and the sound of me snoring. But the heart of the tracks were all live and I'm delighted with it.
Q: Talking of the London circuit, you're a regular with playing gigs in London at venues like Ronnie Scott's Club, what is it that appeals to you about the London gig scene?
It's an enormous, sprawling cacophony. This obviously has a downside when there's very little money and so many other acts, but there are some major positives. You can really learn your trade because there are so many open mics and gigs to be had, and you've got big opportunities to meet other performers and learn from each other.
Q: The line up at your gigs varies, sometimes you have a band and other times there just solo shows, do you have a preference to which you prefer?
I like the idea the tracks stand up as solo pieces, especially as I tend to play a lot of notes on guitar and incorporate percussion on my guitar. But my preference right now is very much for band shows. We're a little family now and it's only with them that I can really bring out the potential of the songs.
Q: So now you've completed the big step of making your first album, what's next on the list of things you'd like to achieve?
Hmm well obviously tour the world then make another one, preferably with more trumpets. But I also want to make more time for things that aren't music, like go on a cooking and cycling holiday - otherwise I'll have nothing to write about for album number two.
Q: Every musician has someone who they dream of collaborating with, if you could collaborate with any artist from the past or present who would you choose?
I'd do a session with Frank Zappa, then a gig with Rage Against The Machine, then go hang out with Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Jake's 'Many Fish to Fry' album launch show is on Monday 21st February 2011 at London's Bush Hall and the first batch of his UK tour dates have now been announced with more dates to be added in the spring.

Sheryl Willis

Gigs

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