Laurence Jones (Guitar) in Shipston
The multi-award winning Blues sensation 25-year-old Laurence Jones was interviewed after his brilliant gig at the Zephyr Lounge in Leamington Spa on 19th April 2017.
Laurence has won Best Young Blues Guitarist for three years running (2014-16) at the British Blues Awards.
The Leamington Spa gig was his local gig on his UK tour, with him living since age 8 in Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire, but born in Liverpool.
His band line-up is Laurence Jones (guitar and vocals), Bennett Holland (keyboard and vocals), Greg Smith (bass guitar), and Phil Wilson (drums).
Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed and how is it going?
It is going very well, but very busy, and it’s great to be able to play to my local fans on this tour, in a town (Leamington Spa) that I started gigging in as a 16-year-old budding musician.
What were your early music influences?
I listened to bands such as The Hoax (an English Blues band), classic guitarists/singers in Jimmy Hendrix and Eric Clapton along with Tony McPhee (English blues guitarist, and founder of The Groundhogs).
What was your first Blues record?
Walter Trout – “Transition” (1992). The title track from this album is my all-time favourite, but one Walter doesn’t play live. So I loved it when Walter played this song to me in the dressing room, and shared it with Buddy Guy, in Carnegie Hall (New York) where I was also playing in 2015.
Can you talk us through the process of writing a song?
This has now become very natural but originally was with the guitar first finding the rifs and key song chords, and then getting the melodies that become the vocals. With more experience on the road, I find that new songs are coming more easier used my personal experiences in life.
How do you cope with Crohn’s disease?
I have to be very careful what I eat and drink, particularly on tour, and it helps when I am touring in Europe I have caterers with me you understand what I need, which is great. Otherwise, I must fend for myself!.
(Crohn's disease is caused by a combination of environmental, immune, and bacterial factors in genetically susceptible individuals. It results in a chronic inflammatory disorder, in which the body's immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract possibly directed at microbial antigens.)
What are your Musical ambitions?
While I experimented with some pop songs in my early days I soon found and loved the Blues. I want now to evolve my band’s sound into a more Blues/Rock sound to keep my audience on their toes. I do also have a few songs that I sing as acoustic sets that are a bit more pop-based, and tested these out at a recent songwriters' night in Leamington Spa.
You have expanded to a 4-piece band – how is your music style developing?
I wanted to evolve my band into a younger hungrier line-up, and now have added this year a keyboard player (Bennett Holland), to give a fuller sound that appeals to all ages.
What do you listen to when relaxing?
When I do get any quality time to relax I listen to Blues artists such as US Bluesman Joe Bonamassa, English indie pop band Blossoms, and US Blues/Soul artist Gary Lee Clark Junior
What is your greatest achievement to date?
Holding my “Take Me High” album launch at Townsend Hall in my hometown of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire in front of a large crowd of excited locals, who have supported me since I first started out in the business aged 16. It was also great to eradicate the disappointment of losing the Shipston Proms Fame Contest, in which I participated at the same venue, aged 12.
Laurence’s current “Take It High” continues with dates around the UK (and a quick trip to the Nidaros Blues Festival in Trondheim, Norway) until the end of April 2017.
Then in May and June, he will be supporting Vintage Trouble (American Rhythm & Blues) on their UK tour.
Later in the year Laurence and his band will be supporting Grammy-winning Kenny Wayne Shepherd on his European & UK tour, as well as many more dates in 2017 including headlining at the Shipston Proms on 1st July and other festivals around Europe.
More information about Laurence and his tour dates can be found on his website
