Belfast singer-songwriter Jamie Welles has released his new single Poet (If I Was). We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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After taking a hiatus from music and becoming increasingly disillusioned by work life, coupled with lingering self-doubt, Welles was inspired to write again during lockdowns spent working in Germany, where the resulting isolation away from his homeland offered him time and space for introspection, ultimately regaining his passion for making music.
Jamie is working on his debut EP, slated for release in late 2023.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I'm a Gemini. I prefer staying in than going out. I lived in Germany for six years.
How would you describe your music?
It’s rather eclectic, spanning acoustic folk, pop to hard rock; but essentially, for me, it’s all about songs with nice melodies and romantic sensibilities.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I came across The Beatles after randomly watching The Yellow Submarine cartoon as a child. Discovering their music was beyond inspirational for me really, and a spiritual experience of sorts. I absolutely devoured everything they ever did, and still do. There are so many other artists who have inspired me musically, John Martyn, Damien Rice, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Ron Sexsmith, XTC, The Kinks, Eric Clapton, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison and Warren Zevon to name a bunch.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
It was Joe Dolan at The Gleneagles Hotel in Killarney as a child with my parents. I recall my auntie diving precariously across several rows of seats to catch Joe’s white silk-tie he thrown into the crowd. She was so ecstatic to get it, she almost fainted.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I remember buying, or rather, coaxing my parents into buying me a Buddy Holly Greatest Hits record after seeing the Budd theatre show as a child. I became so obsessed with those songs and Buddy’s Sunburst Stratocaster guitar, that I got my very first guitar soon-after. With my own cash, it was probably Oasis, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Desperados Under the Eaves by Warren Zevon is on heavy rotation at the moment.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns, It calls me on and on across the universe" - Across the Universe by The Beatles.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You’ll find my music on all the usual streaming platforms and Bandcamp. Just search Jamie Welles. I have Instagram also @jamiewellesmusic, but I’m not very good at it.
Alan Corr @CorrAlan2
