Harsh.TV Does An Exclusive Interview With The Very Gifted & Talented Independent Singer/Songwriter Guitarist Jonathan Laird, we talk Inspiration, Influences, Fashion Style, Current Music Projects as well as the BIG question where will he be in 5 years time. Enjoy. A great read.
Q.Tell us about who you are & What you do?
A. My name is Jonathan Laird and I'm an independent singer/songwriter guitarist with emphasis placed in the adult contemporary market. When I'm not writing or composing, I'm typically figuring out ways to refine my craft. I can always figure out how to sing, play, record or write just a little bit better. Aside from that, I contribute to outside projects in a supporting role as a backup singer or guitarist in a live setting. I do session work now and then, too.
Q: Describe your Music in 5 words
A. Hooky, groovy, sophisticated, risky, unapologetic.
Q: What are your Current projects that you are working on?
A. My most recent project is a precursor to a full-length solo release. It's a variation on the Jonathan Coulton concept of 'Song of the Day.' My goal is to have 40 songs in pocket, then I'll post them and hold a contest to see what the top 10 most popular songs are. This way the album is very much a fan favorite based project because the fans have a role in the final product, and of course, it alows me to have more songs ready for performances as well as follow-up projects.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
A. Playing 200-250 dates a year in the festival, conference, and collegiate circuits as well as opening for headliners like Jason Mraz. Selling 3,000 CD's in a fiscal year, moving roughly 1,500 units of miscellaneous merchandise items like t-shirts, and taking the rest of the the year off to create and raise up a family.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?
A. It's interesting you know, for the sake of garnering interest and giving the uninitiated some frame of reference as to what I probably sound like, I relate it to John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Paul Simon, and James Taylor, but the truth is that I'm inspired by whatever I hear that happens to move me. I'm more than at home trying to learn Chick Corea piano lines on guitar. I love those wonderful African players that backed Paul Simon on the Graceland album. I'm a sucker for Debussy, Radiohead and Ravi Shankar's Indian Ragas. My philosophy is to play, sing and write what speaks to my heart, and I find that I can most readily identify that by being a good listener and standing on the shoulders of all those giants.
Q: Who would you rather listen to UK or US Music?
A. Wow, so much to choose from. Depends on my mood, I guess. I feel a strong attachment to classic UK artists like The Beatles, of course, but I also adore many UK contemporaries like Snow Patrol, Travis and Keane. Then, I find that Dave Barnes, Marc Broussard, and Erin McCarley can really draw me in as well. Brilliance abounds.
Q:What Artist do you listen to?
A. I feel a strong attachment to classic UK artists like The Beatles, of course, but I also adore many UK contemporaries like Snow Patrol, Travis and Keane. Then, I find that Dave Barnes, Marc Broussard, and Erin McCarley can really draw me in as well, but again, I'm still growing and don't see myself as having arrived to the point where I can't be an open listener. Brilliance abounds.
Q:Who influences your music?
A. If I had to pick my most dominant influences, it would probably be Ben Gibbard from a lyrical perspective. He has an amazing writing voice. Pat Metheny has been a very prevalent influence on my improvisation and compositional approach. I like Keith Urban and Stevie Wonder because they seem to have found a way to create in a way that reels in mainstream music listeners, but the music is still interesting.
Q: Please describe your fashion style in 5 words?
A. Classic, masculine, form-fitting, timeless, casual.
Q: How can people Contact you & Collaborate with you?
A. My name is Jonathan Laird and I'm an independent singer/songwriter guitarist with emphasis placed in the adult contemporary market. When I'm not writing or composing, I'm typically figuring out ways to refine my craft. I can always figure out how to sing, play, record or write just a little bit better. Aside from that, I contribute to outside projects in a supporting role as a backup singer or guitarist in a live setting. I do session work now and then, too.
Q: Describe your Music in 5 words
A. Hooky, groovy, sophisticated, risky, unapologetic.
Q: What are your Current projects that you are working on?
A. My most recent project is a precursor to a full-length solo release. It's a variation on the Jonathan Coulton concept of 'Song of the Day.' My goal is to have 40 songs in pocket, then I'll post them and hold a contest to see what the top 10 most popular songs are. This way the album is very much a fan favorite based project because the fans have a role in the final product, and of course, it alows me to have more songs ready for performances as well as follow-up projects.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
A. Playing 200-250 dates a year in the festival, conference, and collegiate circuits as well as opening for headliners like Jason Mraz. Selling 3,000 CD's in a fiscal year, moving roughly 1,500 units of miscellaneous merchandise items like t-shirts, and taking the rest of the the year off to create and raise up a family.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?
A. It's interesting you know, for the sake of garnering interest and giving the uninitiated some frame of reference as to what I probably sound like, I relate it to John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Paul Simon, and James Taylor, but the truth is that I'm inspired by whatever I hear that happens to move me. I'm more than at home trying to learn Chick Corea piano lines on guitar. I love those wonderful African players that backed Paul Simon on the Graceland album. I'm a sucker for Debussy, Radiohead and Ravi Shankar's Indian Ragas. My philosophy is to play, sing and write what speaks to my heart, and I find that I can most readily identify that by being a good listener and standing on the shoulders of all those giants.
Q: Who would you rather listen to UK or US Music?
A. Wow, so much to choose from. Depends on my mood, I guess. I feel a strong attachment to classic UK artists like The Beatles, of course, but I also adore many UK contemporaries like Snow Patrol, Travis and Keane. Then, I find that Dave Barnes, Marc Broussard, and Erin McCarley can really draw me in as well. Brilliance abounds.
Q:What Artist do you listen to?
A. I feel a strong attachment to classic UK artists like The Beatles, of course, but I also adore many UK contemporaries like Snow Patrol, Travis and Keane. Then, I find that Dave Barnes, Marc Broussard, and Erin McCarley can really draw me in as well, but again, I'm still growing and don't see myself as having arrived to the point where I can't be an open listener. Brilliance abounds.
Q:Who influences your music?
A. If I had to pick my most dominant influences, it would probably be Ben Gibbard from a lyrical perspective. He has an amazing writing voice. Pat Metheny has been a very prevalent influence on my improvisation and compositional approach. I like Keith Urban and Stevie Wonder because they seem to have found a way to create in a way that reels in mainstream music listeners, but the music is still interesting.
Q: Please describe your fashion style in 5 words?
A. Classic, masculine, form-fitting, timeless, casual.
Q: How can people Contact you & Collaborate with you?
A. People can reach me through my email address at jonathan@jonathanlaird.netanytime. I would be honored to entertain any inquiries.
I really love the songs of Jonathan, and it's pretty nice that you share the interview with the world, it's great to know more and more about him.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted it!