Kelvin Jones – An Epic Music Journey

Kelvin Jones began playing the guitar four years ago after discovering the music of artists such as B.B. King and John Mayer. Kelvin was fascinated by how blues music could connect with people on an emotional level. Since then he has supported James Morrison on his UK and European 2016 tours and released his debut album. We sat down with Kelvin and asked him a few questions about his music, festivals and more. Enjoy: 

 

  • So your debut album ‘Stop The Moment’ on Epic Records in out now in the UK. How did that come about?
I started playing music in pubs in Portsmouth 2 years ago when I was in university. It’s been a hell of a ride to getting to release an album, but yeah Epic offered me an opportunity to make an album last year and I took it with both hands.
  • What instruments do you play?
I play guitar and piano, and I suppose I play bass, but not properly, I play it like a guitarist.
My favourite artist now is John Mayer, but I was only introduced to his music about 5 or 6 years ago. I don’t know that I was truly obsessed with music until I picked the guitar.
Kelvin Jones

Kelvin Jones, Berlin
Copyright by JENS KOCH

  • Did you enjoy school? Regardless of whether you did or not, what song/s remind you of your schooldays?
I did enjoy school actually! It’s a time of your life that you tend to hate when it’s happening, and miss when it’s gone. Journey – Don’t Stop Believing reminds me of schooldays because we played it in our school leavers assembly and I’d learned to play guitar maybe 2 weeks before that and was incredibly nervous.
  • Can you tell me about your single ‘Call You Home‘
 Sure, Call You Home is probably my oldest song that’s on my album. But it’s still not very old, I wrote it 2 years ago when I was in university and it was the first song I wrote that I thought might actually be good. I feel like I understand more and more it the more I play it.
Kelvin Jones

Kelvin Jones, Berlin
Copyright by JENS KOCH

  • You receive two free tickets to a music festival. Which festival is it, who are you hoping to see and what songs are you hoping to hear?
 I’ve actually never been to a festival that I wasn’t playing at. For a musician/music lover, I never really went to a lot of gigs so my knowledge is limited if I’m honest. But I think Coachella would be a blast, but for me it’s all about Eric Clapton’s Crossroads festival. That for me is then ultimate goal. I’d love to see Eric, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang…the list goes on!
  • You are performing at some music festivals this year including Cornbury Music Festival in Oxfordshire. Do you approach a set at a music festival differently to a headline slot? What’s the thought process?
 Yeah I do actually, simply because with a headline show the audience is already aware of my music and they’ve come to see me, so it’s a little more like a home show whereas a festival is more like an away gig and it’s a little more of a challenge to get everyone on board. But I love that challenge, keeps me on my toes.
  • Can you suggest two tracks each by any artist that make ideal listening for a) a night in, b) a seaside vacation? By all means give reasons
NIGHT IN // Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer and Need the Sun to Break by James Bay. Listen to them and you’ll understand why they were made for night time listening SEASIDE VACATION: Oceans by Seafret and The Thief by The Beach. Apart from their delightfully apt names, they are fantastically appropriate songs.
  • What have you learnt NOT to ever do on stage?
I’ve learned to never say “I’m enjoying this UK tour” whilst in Dublin haha I learned the hard way!
  • Albert King or B.B. King? (Please explain your choice and feel free to say something about each)
 BB King. He’s the reason I started playing electric guitar and because of his playing, I learned how to express myself fully through the instrument. I have a tattoo with his name on my arm. Him and his music mean a great deal to me.
You can watch the official music video for ‘Call You Home’ below: 

Glenn Sargeant
Kelvin Jones’s debut album ‘Stop The Moment’ is out now on Epic Records/Sony Music. In addition, Kelvin will be performing at the following shows: 
Tuesday 10th May 2016 – King Tut’s Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (Special guest for Hannah Trigwell Acoustic Tour)
Wednesday 11th May 2016 – Barfly Camden, Camden, London, United Kingdom (Special guest for Hannah Trigwell Acoustic Tour)
Thursday 12th May 2016 – Louisiana, Bristol, United Kingdom (Special guest for Hannah Trigwell Acoustic Tour)
Friday 13th May 2016 – Sound Control, Manchester, United Kingdom (Special guest for Hannah Trigwell Acoustic Tour)
Sunday 10th July 2016 – Cornbury Music Festival, Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/1SslWkz
You can read our review of Kelvin Jones’s new album here: http://bit.ly/1qhAis3
For more information on Kelvin Jones visit his official website here: http://bit.ly/1SYhsQn
(All photos are credited to Jens Koch. Thanks to Kelvin for taking part and Anthony Giannaccini at Wilful Publicity for help with this interview)