After years of performing on some of the UK's biggest stages and building a career that has already earned support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 2 and Amazing Radio, JK Jerome is entering an exciting new chapter. With his debut EP on the horizon, the Shropshire-born singer-songwriter is embracing a broader palette while remaining rooted in the thoughtful, emotionally honest songwriting that has defined his music from the very beginning.
His latest single 'I Just Want To Soar' captures that evolution perfectly. Blending soaring indie melodies with modern synth textures and reflective lyricism, the track explores the bittersweet process of letting go of old ambitions, rediscovering purpose and learning to create for the joy of the journey rather than the destination.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Vocals were the first instrument I fell in love with when I realised I could sing. I used to spend hours singing acapella. I would copy Tracy Chapman and Thom Yorke and try to land every note as well as I could. When I started writing lyrics, I couldn’t play the guitar so I would write everything acapella and my friend would fit the guitar around it. I’m still drawn to vocals more than anything else. I often love vocals I realise that are in my range when I start singing the songs back. This must be an unconscious bias of mine.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Like most young people I listened to what my parents liked. My dad was a huge influence on me musically and he loved playing Leonard Cohen — I remember singing ‘So long, Marian’ at the dinner table in primary school. He also loved Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I recall dancing around the kitchen at home with my sister to ‘The Strand’ by Roxy Music. He liked some very odd music too like Half Man Half Biscuit, Frank Zappa, and Chumbawamba.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I owned was ‘Bad’ by Michael Jackson. Not a bad first effort and probably an original too as it had just come out. I wish I still had that just for posterity. Can’t say it’s really my bag anymore but there is not much my 9-year-old self and I agree on.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
My favourite song is ‘1979’ by the Smashing Pumpkins. It will forever remind me of endless summers and delinquency. It has a wonderful rhythm to the song that just locks me in, but the lyrics are wonderful. Billy Corgan is one of those singers you can barely decipher when heard aloud but if you read those lyrics, they are sublime and I have always admired them.
“And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust, I guess forgotten and absorbed to the Earth below”.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I record myself singing nonsense on my phone with the guitar line I have written to try and get a sense of rhythm. I am a firm believer in the subconscious, so I tend to nail down a melody this way without lyrics and then let myself sleep on it for a few days. Often, I find that an idea comes more clearly, and I decide on a subject and start writing. Once I start writing the lyrics it doesn’t usually take long for a first draft and then many more rewrites over the coming days. Another option that has worked in the past is to stay up late and then when I wake up and feel foggy, I find sometimes this is actually an easier state to write in, like you’ve somehow dulled your senses enough to let the lyrics flow freely.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
My current favourite bands are Nation of Language — I feel like they don’t make a bad song and I LOVE the synths. Plus, there are a lot of good remixes of their songs too. mary in the junkyard are fantastic, ‘Blood’ is such a great track. Truthpaste released See You Around recently which is gorgeous — I have been making my own playlist called ‘The Weight of Words’ and that one made it on. It’s a great folk number and they are young and talented if they can keep their oversized band together. I am a fan of Jono McCleery too, I like the subtle blend of folk and electronica he uses, it’s more subtle than my stuff which works well and his voice is like chocolate. Finally, Sex Mask — much better than they sound.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
SOHN. I admire his work a lot as a musician and producer. I think it would be a nice segue and I’d love to meet him and talk shop.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
This ties into my release but I’ve come to find the most rewarding part is the writing and rehearsing. Being able to make music is such a gift. It has helped me process emotions all my life and singing and playing is my happy place. It doesn’t have to be for anyone else; it’s just an intrinsic need to expel energy. Completing songs and then singing them and realising you like what you’ve made, that’s the most rewarding part.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I’ve always found producing music to be the most frustrating until recently. When I was in the band we worked with producers large and small, as the song writer songs just seem to get further away from your concept. The more bandmates, management and producers involved the more this is true. It’s like making a mark on a canvas as an artist and then waiting for 6 other people to make marks before you carry on. Collaborating with my current producer Redshank has been such a breath of fresh air. All this work under JK Jerome comes from that relationship and wouldn’t exist without him. So luckily, my greatest frustration has turned into one of my greatest assets.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Do it for the love and not for the money. If you are good enough and lucky enough things will fall into place, but you must really love the everyday because you will need to make a lot of sacrifices along the way.
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JK Jerome's new single 'I Just Want to Soar' is out now. Check it out in the player below.