Following on from a string immersive delights these last few years, Coruja Jones, the songwriting project of Manchester-based musician and songwriter Dan Jones, is back once again to deliver his wondrous new single 'The Day I Die'.
Marking his first piece of new material so far this year, 'The Day I Die' makes for an incredibly warm and inviting listen. Merging his spellbinding vocals with a stripped-back indie-folk production throughout, he is returning to the fold with one of his more engaging releases to date here.
So with the new single available to stream 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?
I was a bit of a late musical bloomer. I auditioned for a musical at school when I was 15 as I wanted to build some confidence, and discovered I could sing, I went from essentially whispering ‘Mad World’ by Gary Jules in my audition, to belting to a live orchestra. It was a whirlwind time and I became obsessed with singing, guitar, and drum kit.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was younger I just used to listen to whatever my sister was buying (late nineties-to-early-noughties boy and girl bands…what a time to be alive), then one night I randomly caught a whole bunch of re-runs of Jools Holland and it blew my tiny mind: jazz, pop, funk, punk, my whole world opened up. It was around 2004, so of course I became an Indie Kid!
What was the first album you remember owning?
The one I played to death was Grace by Jeff Buckley, the first time I heard his voice I thought he was from another planet. I would spend hours singing along to that crazy long held note on Hallelujah. Eye To The Telescope by KT Tunstall also changed the trajectory of my life and kickstarted what I’m doing now.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I struggled with this one, because it wouldn’t be the same, and also wow that’s hard. I’m going to say Last Christmas by Wham!...Royalties for my retirement.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Y’know, since I heard about The Muse, I really believe it’s a thing. The Muse is a name to that feeling of inspiration that you have to catch, she passes by fast and you might not be open to her (maybe doing the dishes?), or you might get hit with a sudden burst of inspiration. When I’m writing, I have to be open to The Muse, so allowing time to be in a creative space, or in nature, or just having free time (which is quite rare these days with a 2 year old). Usually it happens quite quickly, and usually lyrically. I go off titles quite a lot, then the ideas just unfold.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I have a very eclectic taste in music, one moment it can be classic folk, then EDM, and the next minute Cumbia from Colombia. Recently though I’ve been into: Novo Amor, Orlando Weeks, Ólafur Arnolds, and Hayla.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would probably ascend if I opened up for Beck, Feist, or José González.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Definitely playing live. I think through all of the highs and lows you have to hold on to your ‘why’. And my why is to connect with as many people emotionally as possible, and to let others feel not so alone in what they’re feeling. That’s success to me.
I do music because I have to. When I stand on a stage it’s some of the only time I can fully let go and be my true self. It’s a strange feeling of total surrender when you have a room full of people witnessing it. When you give total surrender, they feel it too. We’ve all been to those gigs and seen those artists right? I’m sure we all connect with that as music fans.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The admin. Oh wow the admin. These days I try to do the admin with a guitar either on my lap or next to me so I can quickly jump on and remember why I’m putting myself through it. I’ve been following The Music Venue Trust and their stats on grassroots music venues closing is shocking. It’s difficult to find places to play sometimes and I feel for young musicians the most who need grassroots venues and communities to hone and fall in love with their craft.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Remember your ‘why’. Also…don’t be a dick.
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Coruja Jones' new single 'The Day I Die' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.