Brighton based singer/songwriter; Jon McLeod blends a variation of indie, folk & blues, then adds a personal twist to the genres, creating his own alternative approach with a calmly compelling vocal delivery and distinctive guitar playing. He’s been writing, recording and performing in different projects and in the past has received airplay on BBC radio stations from Steve Lamacq, Huw Stephens and Tom Robinson, while playing under the pseudonym: The Focussed Distraction. But for now has settled on using his own name to develop his distinctive acoustic style. “Lily’s Game” is the first in a set of releases planned for 2023. Songs of observation, reflection and emotional responses within the current social climate. All home recorded, relishing in Lo-Fi & DIY aesthetics, without being overwhelmed in studio production.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Jon McLeod, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
My parents were both musical and was fortunate enough to have a guitar and piano in the house. I got into these early.
I also have very early memories of seeing Neil Young and Michael Jackson on the TV and being completely fascinated by both of them. The guitar developed a natural thing to me, it stuck. The moonwalk… not so much.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Film and reading are huge interests to me. I did go through a phase of studying to be a screenwriter. But songwriting has trumped that for now (who knows what the future holds).
Your latest song is 'Lily's Game'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
“Lily’s Game” is the first in a set of releases, I’m planning for the year. All home recorded, relishing in Lo-Fi & DIY aesthetics, without being overwhelmed in studio production. I had the idea of taking this approach after discovering (forgotten) old demo’s I had recorded on some C90 and Maxell cassettes years ago and remembered how much I enjoyed the process of analogue recording, without looking at a computer screen and without having availability to a vast array of plug ins and software applications. The initial steps of recording the vocal and acoustic guitar onto a 4 track definitely add to the sound I was looking for.
Can you reveal the recipe for a musical hit?
I’ll let you know when I’ve had one (lol).
For me it would be a song that inspires, one that I may even use as reference for my own creative process. As opposed to a song that’s popular with the masses. “Personal hit” would probably be a more suitable term for me on that one.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
Keep writing, keep recording, keep performing, keep persisting.
Know what you want and what you’re about musically. Be comfortable and realistic with that.
What inspires you as an artist? Could it be the sea, the weather or something else?
I find travelling always helps. It seems to create a clear new perspective on a canvas for me, especially looking out the window on train journeys. I remember reading a piece on Peter Gabriel, who shared this sentiment. He believes the "peripheral visual stimulation" of a fast-moving vehicle helps open his mind. I definitely agree with this!
How do you spend your free time? What makes you feel relaxed?
Most of my free time at the moment I taken up with the music. Rehearsing, recording and writing.
“Relaxed” is playing my acoustic guitars and coming up with new song ideas. I’m killing two birds with one stone here.
Do you have a mentor or coach?
Simply put, no. There’s plenty of influences but I’m self taught in all of this. I’ve always been more of a fan of the organic sound than the trained. Not that there’s anything wrong with the latter. That’s what I love about music. There’s not right or wrong way… just different.
Do you think it's easy to become established in the music world, or is it difficult?
It can be difficult to get yourself out there. It’s what you have with the pros and cons of technology within the music world. There’s so much more accessibility for people to be making music but as a result the industry has become exhausted to a certain extent.
I genuinely think that music is really exciting at the moment. And there’s so many different and great styles, approaches and attitudes being taken. But there’s so much to go through to get to the “good stuff.”
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?
Publishing and management deals would be key for me.
I’ll have an album ready by the end of this year, so within 5-10… aiming for another 3. And the overdue screenplay that I intend to write.