There's lots of things happening for local musician Jamie Felton, but at the moment we're most excited about Jamie Felton's first proper gig which is happening this Saturday, August 15th at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury! In the run up to his first major gig, Liquid Entertainment secured an interview with the man himself.
Carry on reading for the full interview!
Liquid: Could you tell me one thing people wouldn't necessarily know about you?
Jamie: I rule at ping pong
Liquid: What's your earliest childhood memory?
Jamie: Being in the front seat of the car and parking up near Tesco's.
Liquid: If you could go back in time for one day, which date/event would you go to and why?
Jamie: Queen's Live Aid concert in 1985. It's considered as one of the greatest concerts of all time and Queen are my favourite band.
Liquid: What's the most bizarre food you've ever eaten?
Jamie: Octopus
Liquid: What are your earliest memories of music making an impact on your life?
Jamie: Back in the early Noughties when Busted and Avril Lavigne were releasing tracks like "What I Go To School For" and "Year 3000" and "Complicated". I just love those songs so much and probably annoyed my mum a lot screaming the lyrics full blast in the car everyday.
Liquid: Music wise, whom are you influenced by?
Jamie: Different things from many musical icons. The vocal harmonies and songwriting quality of The Beatles; the sheer classic rock sound that Bryan Adams & Bon Jovi bring; the heavier side of things from Nickleback, Greenday and Guns N' Roses (and Slash's incredible guitar solos); The memorable melodies and extravagant harmonic language of Queen and, finally, the amazing control and power that Matt Cardle's voice can deliver.
Liquid: How long have you been writing and playing music?
Jamie: I first picked up the guitar in 2006 aged 9 after a weekend at my cousins house because he plays too, and I instantly fell in love with the really cool noises that his guitar was making. After that weekend, my mum found a guitar teacher and that's where it all started. I wrote my first song in 2008 - it wasn't very good as I was only 11 - and, like all first time songwriters, I was just finding words that rhymed rather than curating a song with lyrics that actually made sense!
Liquid: How has your music evolved since you first started writing/performing?
Jamie: I started out with simple chords and putting lyrics to them and then I began to include guitar solos followed by drums, bass and vocal harmonies to develop my songs. Studying A Level Music has also been a huge help as it's improved my musical knowledge, which allows me to create more complex songs that uses unique chords and textural devices.
Liquid: What is your process when it comes to songwriting? Do you have to be left alone in complete solitude or do you do things a little differently?
Jamie: For me, the music always comes first. I like to come up with a building block for the song in the intro and then see how the mood is. That is what decides the lyrical direction. I do prefer to be left alone in my own little zone so that I can concentrate fully on the song though.
Liquid: Before you go on to perform, is there anything you usually do to calm yourself down or are you one of the lucks ones you breeze straight through?
Jamie: For my normal pub gigs I can simply check that the guitar and mic are coming out of the speakers and I'm off without a fuss. However, for the show at The Mill, I'm sure I'll be nervous backstage because people will have paid to see me and will be expecting a proper show - so I've got to do everything right because all eyes will be on me!
Liquid: Where has your favourite location been to perform in so far and why?
Jamie: Without a doubt it's The Nightingale in Langford Village, Bicester. They won pub of the year in 2014 and it's no surprise. They work so hard to make it such a functional pub in terms of booking entertainment, the food and hosting events. Not forgetting to mention that their customers are mad when they've had a beer or two - so it's great for me when I play there because everyone's so drunk! Plus, the bar staff are really friendly. Best pub I've ever been to.
Liquid: So, Jamie, you won Banbury's Got Talent this year and have your first major gig coming up this Saturday, August 15th at The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury! How are you feeling about it?
Jamie: SO EXCITED!! I can't wait to show people what I've got and give them a show they'll remember. I'm looking forward to collaborating with the other BGT contestants too.
Liquid: How have you been preparing for the big day?
Jamie: It has constantly been on my mind for the last month or so! Planning and doing band rehearsals, thinking about the set list, practising, contemplating on what I'm going to say in between songs and advertising as much as I can. I've been all around Banbury and the surrounding villages handing out flyers and putting up posters - and busking next to Castle Quay! It has definitely been hectic!
Liquid: Tell us what audience members should expect on Saturday if they were to come and watch you.
Jamie: In the first set, it will simply be myself and my acoustic guitar playing a mix of covers and originals. I will also collaborate with BGT 2015 runners up Marley and D, as well as play an original song with Erin Tiger Lilley, winner of BGT's 2014 2nd place position. The second set is where things will liven up as my band will join me in playing classic rock hits from the past 5 decades. MAddison Desborough (3rd place, BGT 2015) will also be dueting with me on Dolly Parton's "Jolene".
Liquid: Aside from your gig at The Mill on August 15th, have you got anything else in the pipeline?
Jamie: I'm always gigging! Currently, it's two or three times a week as I've got more free time (because it's summer) and I'm saving up the pennies for university in the near future. I'm going to The Academy of Contemporary Music, a prestigious music college in Guildford to do a song-writing degree.
Liquid: Who has been instrumental in helping you establish your music career?
Jamie: Obviously my first guitar teacher, Ben, who started it all off for me. A mention should go to Des Frater as well because he recorded my album for me. I'd also like to thank my manager, Kevin, for getting me all my gigs, which have given me lots of performing experience and, last but not least, the parents, for putting up with my loud practice and driving me to gigs. Without these people, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Liquid: And, to finish off, what single are you loving most right now?
Jamie: It's still Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars - it's just so cool! We'll be performing it on the 15th - hopefully getting the audience singing the high bits, too - but I've got to persuade the band to wear sunglasses indoors so it looks as if we've made the effort to look as cool as the video!
Without further adieu, here's the video!
Tickets are still available to purchase for Jamie Felton's first major gig! Just click this link here!
Show information:
Where? The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury
When? Saturday August 15th, 2015
Start time? 8PM
Tickets? £10
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