Project Description

Interview with
JONO McCLEERY

(October 2020)

Interviewer – Dave Bruce

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Jono McCleery has come a long way, both musically and physically. Together with the One Taste Collective, he has toured with the musicians Little Dragon, Jamie Woon, Nick Mulvey, Portico (Quartet) and Kate Tempest. And even though his journey is far from over, he seems to have found his feet. Talented at balancing soft tones, he reflects on his musical roots in a reduced and pointed form. It is no wonder, considering that he has been working on some of the songs for 18 years. So it’s also not surprising that McCleery recorded his album in just four days, completely detached from the constraints of the industry and only with the help of a few friends. And this newly gained freedom is noticeable in his creative play on storytelling, musical structures, rhythms and, above all, his hopes. 

Follow is not only the album’s euphoric prelude, but also the first single to be released. While this single and the following, Call Me, have a classic song structure, new ideas and concepts are introduced over the course of the album. The tracks seamlessly flow into the next, or at least it seems so, as some songs seem to split into several, only to reappear again at the end as one. (Promise Of Spring and By Your Side) The album is an interplay of light and shadow. McCleery’s voice emerges through the sometimes melancholic strings (Soldier In The Sound) like a ray of sunshine alongside the at times hopeful plucking strings (The Thing Is). Finally, the musical play of light ends with the powerful song NewLight, which is characterised by razor-sharp strings. 

With the songs Here I Am And There You Are, Jono McCleery paints the unadulterated picture of a singer-songwriter, breaking away from the campfire romance stereotype. Rather, he whisks you away into a world of natural spaces, over leisurely passing clouds, dense forests and infinitely wide lakes.

Jono McCleery himself describes the narrative of Follow as following: “”Follow” is about keeping a sense of perspective throughout a personal transition: putting the past in a positive light whilst acknowledging the reality of it, and making peace with the decision to start something new.”

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I wanted to be an artist first, then a basketball player as a teenager, eventually I realised music was the thing for me. As soon as I started messing around with instruments, the songs came.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
Soulful folk? What I hear usually is that it’s dreamy, melancholic, even sad to some. But for me it’s just natural, I think people can sense that and perhaps feel a connection because I try to be honest in my delivery. I guess.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
John Coltrane is an constant source of inspiration for me musically. Not even for his music, but for how powerful his presence was within his performances. You can really feel him reaching out beyond our atmosphere with his playing.

Your new single has just been released (25.09): Describe its origin and evolution.
I was improvising an idea during soundcheck many years ago. Luckily my drummer Dan See filmed it and sent me the video. Months later I turned that idea into a song which reflected the changes I was going through at the time. Eventually I had enough songs which I felt belonged together on a record and here we are today! 

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Your EP/Album is about to be released (20.11): Describe its origin and evolution // What are the signature pieces on the album, and which is your favorite track?
I’ve held onto some of these songs for up to 18 years, I knew that they had to be recorded the right way, and with the right musicians, and finally in 2018 I was in a position to make this happen. I think the signature pieces are Follow, Call Me, and Promise of Spring – which is my personal favourite.

Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
It’s obviously a very difficult time to perform live music at the moment, but I have a couple of band shows booked for November 5/6 in Berlin and Weinheim in Germany (with adequate social distancing measures). And I hope to arrange an album launch show at some point. But who knows, maybe we’ll have to wait years before we can properly tour again.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
I would love to play with Danny Thompson (double bass player), having enjoyed so many records that he’s played on.. He has had a tremendous impact on how I hear bass playing – especially as an accompaniment to vocals.  

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist?
Yes, to keep doing what I’m doing but with less covid virus in the world. It would be a dream!

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The feeling of being truly in the moment, like how I imagine surfing a wave might feel. Sometimes the pressure of performing live brings the best out in you. Highlights include supporting Gil Scott Heron at his last show in London, and performing at the European Stadium of Culture festival in Rzeszow, Poland.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – an even split between Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’ and Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’.
Artist – Nick Drake
Movie – Semi-Pro
Place to visit – the sea
Venue to play – any of them right now
Food – Padrón peppers
Drink – Tanglefoot ale
Person in History – Nelson Mandela

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Check out JONO McCLEERY below
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter 

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AMNPLIFY – DB