Jon Allen Talks New Album, 2025 UK Tour And More

Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and friend of JLTT Jon Allen will release his new album ‘Seven Dials’ on 2nd May 2025. Jon very kindly chatted to us about the new album, UK Tour and more:

When did you begin songwriting?

I started writing songs when I was about 15 or 16. I was with a friend, listening to the radio—I can’t remember what song was playing, but I remember saying, “I could write a better song than that.” My friend just looked at me and said, “Well, why don’t you?” I was obsessed with The Beatles at the time, and my first few songs were blatant attempts at copying their style. It took me a few years to write anything remotely decent, but that initial burst of youthful confidence got me started.

What is your earliest musical memory?

The first time pop music really hit me was on the school bus to primary school. The driver always had the radio on, and I remember hearing Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band—it absolutely blew my mind.

You will release your new album Seven Dials on 2nd May 2025. How did you approach making the album?

The spark for the album came while I was standing in the old police cells at the Bow Street Museum in Covent Garden, reading about the Bow Street Runners—London’s first police force. I got hooked on tales of their battles on the wild, lawless streets of 18th-century London. That world, that energy, started shaping the songs.

Where did you record the album, and who produced it?

I recorded and produced the album myself at my home studio in North London.

Do you have any interesting, funny, or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

One heart-stopping moment stands out. We’d rented a Hammond organ for the final sessions, but when we tried plugging it into our Leslie speaker, the connectors didn’t match. Thinking we could fix it, we started rewiring. Big mistake. The second we plugged it in, there was an almighty bang—and suddenly, my Mac screen went blank, and the entire hard drive disappeared.

In true British fashion, I took a deep breath and calmly announced, “I’m going for a walk.” I genuinely thought we’d lost the entire album. Luckily, after some frantic troubleshooting, the hard drives miraculously reappeared. But for a moment there, it was definitely an Oh sht* situation.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, or recording equipment to achieve a specific sound?

I’m lucky enough to have some incredible instruments in my collection. I’ve got a 1967 blue sparkly Ludwig drum kit that just sings, and for acoustic guitars, I use a Martin D-28 and a Gibson Hummingbird. I record my voice and acoustic guitar through a Rode NTK valve condenser mic—it’s got this rich, vintage warmth that I love. Everything runs through an API 3124 V preamp, which adds that punch and grit I was after for this record.

One of the tracks is your single, ‘White Gold’. What’s the story behind it?

In 18th-century London, sugar was an illicit trade—it was often called White Gold. That phrase stuck with me. It felt like the perfect metaphor for desire, addiction, and high-stakes living. Seven Dials was a wild place back then; you had to stay sharp to survive. And honestly, modern-day London isn’t so different. People still chase success, love, and money—sometimes at a huge cost. Whether it’s wealth, drugs, or relationships, temptation is everywhere. I wanted to capture that eternal struggle—how ambition can drive you but also destroy you.

Another track is your latest single, ‘Down With The Tide’. Could you tell us about the track?

There is a feeling of defiance at the heart of ‘Down With The Tide’ – a refusal to let life’s inevitable misfortunes pull you under. The tide represents the forces that threaten to drag you down. It’s a celebration of grit and determination in the face of intractable odds.

Was this album difficult to write?

This one came together more painlessly than some of my previous records. Once I locked into the concept, it all started flowing. Each song captures a different side of life—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Some tracks are about embracing the moment, while others explore themes of crime, escape, and the final reckoning.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest, and c) most reflective?

· Happiest: Midnight Oil—though it’s got a double edge. It’s about those wild nights where the line between celebration and self-destruction blurs. The kind of places where the party never stops, where the stories are larger than life, and the consequences are left for another day.

· Angriest: Down With The Tide—it’s defiant at its core, refusing to let life’s misfortunes drag you under. The tide represents those forces that threaten to consume you, and the song is about fighting back.

· Most Reflective: The Glass Moon— I am a night time walker and I get a lot of my best ideas walking in London at night. Everything looks and feels different. This song taps into a stillness I feel in those times.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you’ve left the stage?

I hope I’ve given the audience an experience they won’t forget—whether it’s a song that hit home, a moment that made them feel something real, or just the pure energy of the night. And I hope I walk off knowing I left it all up there on that stage.

Do you have any favourite stage instruments, effects, or gear?

My main acoustic guitar on stage is a Tanglewood Sundance Historic TW40. It’s got a solid spruce top and a shallow body, making it super comfortable to play. I’ve got fancier guitars, but this one just feels and sounds right.

For electric guitar, I run through a Lazy J amp. These are all handmade, and legends like Townshend, Beck, Clapton, and Gilmour swear by them. When you crank one up, you understand why.

Where is your hometown, and could you describe it in five words?

North London: Ambitious, chaotic, congested, historic, expensive.

How do you look after your voice?

I gargle fifty-year-old Scottish malt!

Who designed the album artwork?

Every Sunday, I like to walk through Clerkenwell and to sit in Exmouth Market with a coffee, people watching. Another great spot in the area is The Holy Tavern, a beautifully old pub that feels like a portal to another time. When it came to designing the album sleeve, I found the perfect photograph to capture the vibe—and, being a bit of a control freak, I took the reins and designed the artwork myself!

Who is in The Luna Kings, and what do they play?

· Adam Skinner – Drums, he is multitalented and also did the string arrangements.

· Phil Brickell – Bass. The unshakable foundation of the groove.

· Randall Breneman – Guitar. A force of nature on stage and a massive part of our sound.

If you could write the score for a film adaptation of a novel, which one would it be and why?

I’d have to go with The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It fits perfectly with the themes of my new album—dark underworld characters set against the backdrop of shadowy London streets.

Who are some of your musical influences? Any recommendations?

British rock legends like The Faces and Free have shaped my sound, as well as American greats like Bob Dylan and The Band. I also have a deep love for soul music—you can’t beat Aretha Live at Fillmore West!

Do you have any UK/European live dates planned for 2025?

Absolutely. We’re doing a UK tour, finishing with a big show at London’s Bush Hall on 24th May. From there we head off on the European leg of the tour.

What makes Jon Allen happy, and what makes you unhappy?

I’m happiest when I’m completely immersed in something—making a record, playing live, just losing myself in the moment. I’m unhappiest when I notice there is no Green and Blacks chocolate left in the fridge! (devastating!).