And now for something completely different...
Jamie Woon is one of those names that seems to be following you everywhere at the minute. TV, magazines, 'Next Big Thing' lists... the word 'Woon' even sounds like something that could be in the wind that rustles through the trees. He's a British musician that's got everyone talking with the release of debut album, 'Mirrorwriting'. Why? Because it's different.
Having spent quite a few years on the acoustic circuit, he's taken all of his experiences to work in a new direction, resulting in a really fresh new sound. His pick 'n' mix bag of genres includes dubstep, soul, jazz - as well as the influence of his mum's taste in Michael Jackson and his teenage love for Radiohead - blended in a way that didn't seem possible. Perhaps like making a sandwich blindfolded, Jamie has somehow managed to get it just right and end up with something delicious. Was this unconventional concoction always the plan? I wanted to find out.
Was it a conscious decision to try and find something that was totally new using the blend of genres you dabble in, or was it something that was a natural outcome to the way you were working?
I've always liked lots of different music- I used to get really frustrated by wanting to do lots of things at the same time it took me quite a long time to find a way to get the sounds I liked together in a way that felt natural, but getting into production allowed me to do that. I got into that - the idea of hearing all kinds of samples once I had a song and then just finding the right atmosphere.
You did end up producing your debut record- was it good to have that level of control over the project?
It's quite a liberating time. It definitely appealed to me - the idea that I could make it independently, I didn't need loads of money and just work on it in my own time. A lot of the songs already had that intimate, 'bedroom' thing to them. Also I'm a bit of a control freak so it felt like it was just choosing the path of least resistance.
Do you think it's a positive thing for the music industry that people can potentially set about making records from their bedroom with no real need for plenty of money and backing?
I think with any technological things it's a bit of both really. There's a complete flood of music so the focus isn't on artists to be something prolific, which is a good thing. There's a lot of artists that don't enjoy the record touring circuit. The massive positive is obviously getting the music out to people. The negative is the big impact on old school studios and the people that have collected a lot of gear and expertise. I guess the idea of a what a producer 'is' is changing - of being someone who does everything and brings something out of an artist.
With that in mind do you think the landscape of the music industry will drastically change in the next five or ten years?
Yeah and I guess everybody's got to adapt to it - the labels, the artists, the people with studios. Everyone's adapting to it together. It's probably still a bit shaky but I'm sure it'll fall into place pretty soon.
There's quite a lot of pop influences in your sound - do you think it's making a bit of a comeback in terms of music that's recognised as being credible by critics and your snobby hipster types?
Pop music will always be bought and enjoyed no matter what. I've always seen what I do as being from the pop cannon. It definitely is changing - it's not going to stay like watching 'Top of The Pops' - and I think it's going to change dramatically quite soon.
I've heard you live with (Mercury Music Prize-nominated) Portico Quartet... what's a house party like round at your gaff?
We don't have those kind of jamming parties! We just clear out the space, get a DJ in there, move all the breakables and just let it go raggo basically, everyone can do what they want.
Oh, so no modern jazz-dubstep fusion?
No! In fact, I've lived with them for three years we haven't even collaborated once. They're out touring all the time and I've been working on my record constantly so I guess the last thing you want to do is get in and play something. We get a lot out of each other and take interest in the directions we're moving in. They're just really nice people and I'm always inspired by what they're doing.
You've got quite a few festivals coming up this summer - what are you most looking forward to and you making any preparations?
I really can't wait for Glastonbury. I've never been billed there before - I'm playing on West Holt which was formerly the Jazz World stage which was one of my favourites there. We're tweaking the set a bit and will maybe chuck a cover in there. I'm playing Sunday afternoon so that should be quite a good vibe.
Jamie Woon plays Shepherd's Bush Empire on Thursday 9th June.
'Mirrorwriting' is out now.
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