Feature: Jersey Budd

• 16th Oct 2008

This week Glasswerk caught up with rising star Jersey Budd. Jersey is causing a right old stir at the moment not only with his sun kissed songs primed for success but the way in which his songs are being released.

Breaking new ground with his unconventional record deal: a partnership between Jersey, his fans and innovative new service Bandstocks. The brainchild of music lawyer Andrew Lewis and assisted by B-Unique and Vinyl Factory, Bandstocks offers fans unprecedented access to Jersey and his music in return for investment in the production and marketing of forthcoming album 'Wonderlands' – a perfect partnership for a man with unshakeable faith in his ability to connect.

The press are likening the Leicester star’s sound to that of Dylan, Springsteen and Cat Stevens, this 24 year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist offers a genuine alternative to the current malaise, blowing away the cobwebs with a lethal combination of talent, charm and pure will.

Still a virtual unknown at this stage, the new year offers Jersey a chance to shine. Forthcoming debut album ‘Wonderlands’ was recorded at the same time as fellow Leicester lads Kasabian were recording their third album, a stones throw away from Jersey’s studio. Tom Meighan, 3 school years above Jersey, contributing backing vocals to first single ‘She Came Back’. The album was mixed by Paul Stacey (Oasis, The Black Crowes) and mastered by Ian Cooper (Oasis, The Verve) both of whom were recommended to Jersey by Noel Gallagher.

We were lucky enough to catch a few moments with the starlet:

Jersey first of all how did the name come about?

’Well, i was born Joe but my dad is the sort of person that has a nickname for most people and from an early age he started to call me 'jersey joe' after the boxer jersey joe wallcot(rocky marciano era) i always thought it was a great name and quite unique so i changed it. The 'Budd' comes from the building site i used to work on where my mate always called me budd and it just stuck’

You’ve been descried as being the new Bob Dylan, Richard Ashcroft, Paul Weller etc – What do you make of that, do you think your put into that box because your a solo artist or are those types of names your being referenced to true influences?

’I love it when i get compared to legends such as these because to me just being mention in the same sentence is an honour. plus your always going to be compared to someone so it might as well be the best! though i never sit down and think i must make this song sound like Dylan etc. its just what comes out naturally.’

How long have you been writing your songs for and where did you take your influences for the lyrics and sound was it a natural process or heavily influenced?

’I picked up the guitar when i was about 16 or 17 and a mate of mine taught me a few chords and i just started to write a few songs but never thought nothing of it really until suddenly i had a few songs which i thought were pretty good and worth playing to people and i think the sound came by chance really cause it was just acoustic for the start but brought a little vox amp for £40 from a mate (which i still use now) and plugged in an electric and to me it was just a great sound, a bit like The Beatles and was in my bedroom thinking i was john lennon! So it was then i thought about getting a band together. the lyrics come naturally to me really so there is no great science behind it, its just what im thinking at the timei

You’ve a single coming out tell me a bit about that?

’Its called She Came Back and its out on the 27th October. It’s about not letting nobody get in the way of what you want to achieve ,some people have suggested it might be an old girlfriend but i never had anyone in mind when i wrote it. It didn’t take long to write because once i had the opening line that was it everything just fell into place really’

How do you feel about the format it is being released a lot different and certainly a shock to the industry? How do you see the industry going from a new artist’s perspective

’If this new format starts to work then it will definitely send a few shockwaves through the industry as this new format gives the artist more control over his or hers music which can only be a good thing plus nowadays you don’t necessary have to go through a major label to be successful that’s why i signed up to Bandstocks’.

Where can we come and see you?

’I’m on tour throughout October touring with The Rifles plus a few headline gigs and November with John Martyn all in the UK. You can check out all the dates on my website link’

What’s the favourite gig you’ve played so far, your winning a lot of fans quickly even tipped by hometown boys Kasabian?

Yeah the Kasabian lads have been fantastic to me and a big inspiration too so its great to be tipped by them. As for my favourite gig id say it was in march this year where i supported The Rifles at the forum in london the place was heaving and probably the best me and the band have played. Plus Paul Weller was there to play with The Rifles.’

What’s it like at the very first time you go about getting gigs, did you start in local venues etc until people started realising your talents?

’I started in local pubs round my area where i live and remember being terrified the first couple of gigs and then played the venues in the city and gradually got more confidence and it seemed that every gig i played there would be a few more people there and it was incredible when i sold out The Charlotte venue in Leicester a couple of months ago cause you think back to when you played to about 10 of your mates on a Tuesday night!’

Your Favourite tune of all time?!

This is probably the hardest question anyone could ask cause there are so many answers but if i had to choose id say 'like a rolling stone' bob dylan its just absolute genius. but ill probably change my mind by tomorrow morning!’

Finally your three favourite thing’s in life

’music,women,football (in that order!)’

This boy is going to go far you can visit bandstocks.com to buy Jersey’s beautiful new single ‘She Came Back’ as well as visiting link to take a peak at Jersey’s tour dates.

Watch this Budd flourish!