Jon Roy

FU interviewed Manchester based singer/songwriter Jon Roy...

How would you describe the genre of your music?
I've never really known how to pigeon hole my own brand of music, although I did have a go at inventing my own box called "new wave urban acoustic indie folk" but that’s a bit of a mouth full so I don't think it'll catch on, I will have a giggle if it does.

What kinda things do you write about?
I've written what some would consider sentimental songs and a few sad songs. I would like to reach someone in a very minimalist way, almost so they barely knew what hit them and they have to listen again to truly capture it. This to me is the ultimate compliment. It means you did something that managed to whisper to the soul rather than harness it.

When did you start singing/song writing?
Well I guess it was early 2000 when I first picked up a guitar and tried my hand at playing and singing. Song writing just seemed like a natural progression, it started around 2005 when the then girl friend uttered those magic words "why don't you write me a song," strangely I never did get around to writing one for her.

Was there a particular event or person that made you think 'right, music is all I wanna do'?
Yes, Noel Gallagher. I remember watching a very young Noel Gallagher performing Wonderwall on later with Jools Holland it was 1995 I think, I still think it’s one of the best performances of that song (YouTube it if you don't believe me)

Who do you look up to musically?
Anyone that can pull it off really. I've been enjoying the music Biffy Clyro and Kasabian have put out in the last year. I am also very much looking forward to Noel Gallagher’s Solo work.

Who, would you say, your music would appeal to, is there a particular audience you are aiming at?
I'm really aiming at anyone willing to give my songs a chance; I realize my style isn't going to be to everybody's taste

Who would you like to work within the music industry/what would be your dream collaboration?
I’d love to do something people weren't expecting, I like things like that, for example Dido on an Eminem track or Run DMC working with Aerosmith, their kind of odd combinations that just seem to have worked so it would be great to be part of something similar.
I don't see myself as the next best thing or God's gift to music; I guess that is not my real goal with what I do. I would simply like to be a better prepared instrument for the hidden voice I long to unfurl. I just want to give an audience a piece of myself to be remembered by, to take home with them to call their own.

What’s next for you?
I'm hopeful that by the end of the year I'll have at the very least an EP that I can get out there and use to promote myself and get some live shows in because after all is said and done that’s what it’s all about.. isn't it.
I think it would be the greatest honour to have thousands of people standing before me in a field singing one of my own songs back to me one day as I play to them. I can't even begin to imagine the validation it would bring to know I'd finally left a part of myself in this world and the world felt me back, even if only for that one instant.

For more info on Jon Roy
www.myspace.com/jonroymusic
www.purejon.com