Just turned eighteen, Jake Bugg is the mercurial new troubadour for 2012. Newly signed to Mercury, his songs are tales of growing up and friendship, sharply observed. Having discovered music through a Don McLean song he heard whilst watching the Simpsons, his is a very modern folk tale. We managed to grab a few words with the youngster…
US: Tell us how you first got into music?
JAKE: Well I had no interest in music until I was about 12 and I was watching the Simpsons and Don Mclean’s Vincent came on and It inspired me to write songs.
US: Whats the first music you remember?
JAKE: The Beatles – Yellow submarine as we use to sing it at school.
US: Your style is very distinctive yet you sound like Bob Dylan, is Dylan someone you admire?
JAKE: I think dylan is bang on however he’s not one of my top influences but has been influential in some ways.
US: Things have really took off for you, how much has your life changed
JAKE: Well its gone all a bit fast but you just gota take each day as it comes and not think about it too much and I guess what’s changed is not being at home as much.
US: Whats music are you into that is around right now?
JAKE: Well there’s the Arctic Monkeys, Noel Gallaghers latest album was cool, I think Paloma Faith is good and Wiz Khalifa.
US: What’s going on for you for the rest of the year?
JAKE: Well got a few festivals lined up like Reading and Leeds, Bestival and T in the park. The album will be out in October followed by a tour in November.
Next single is ‘Taste It’ and it’s out 13th August
On tour
Sun 13 Bournemouth Old Fire Station
Mon 14 Wolverhampton Wolfrun Hall
Tue 15 Manchester HMV Ritz
Thu 17 Glasgow ABC
Fri 18 Liverpool Epstein Theatre
Sat 19 Dublin Academy
Mon 21 Sheffield Leadmill
Tue 22 Cambridge Junction
Wed 23 London Shepherd’s Bush Empire