FAULT Future: Jazz Morley at home in the music

 

My lyrics are always fairly honest and open. I am a very open person, but especially so when writing; it’s a form of therapy for me. Sometimes when I’ve been too afraid to speak something, I’ve been able to put it into a song and communicate how I feel that way.

I never feel nervous about putting music out. What’s the worse that can happen? People might say they don’t like it, or not even take any notice. That’s kind of irrelevant to me by that point; I like the song, that’s why I wrote it. If people react well to my music and find a connection with it, that’s a bonus. I get excited about releasing music- the possibilities are endless, and so many doors can be opened.

I was in a very peaceful headspace. I was sat under a blanket in my friend Brad’s studio and I said “I’m going to write a song about being in this blanket, in a Safe Place”. And that’s what happened. The song is about the place I have come to, both geographically and emotionally. I feel so much safer in my head. I am surrounded by people I love, and the future looks bright.

I never felt unsure in the city. In fact, I had an amazing time! I lived in some crazy places and met so many cool people. It was more about the journey that has brought me to where I am now. I spent many years travelling around gigging, which was exciting at first but after a while I craved a feeling of belonging, and somewhere to call home. On top of that i often struggled with my mental health. When I returned to where I grew up and took a moment to breathe, so many things fell into place for me.

My headline gig in London a few weeks ago at The Courtyard Theatre. Something magical happened that night; I believe I’ll look back at that gig for years to come and recognise it as a seminal point in my career.

My musical influences are extremely varied. In my opinion, the more creative stuff you put in to your body, the more good stuff will come out. I love the old school soul of Etta James and Gladys Knight, the 90s power houses such as Whitney and Toni Braxton, the bands I grew up listening to like Fleetwood Mac, the more traditional, lyric-driven songwriters like Joni Mitchell and, as of more recently, I’ve started a love affair with down-beat electronic music and alternative pop. I’m loving Christine and the Queens, LANY, Trace, Honne and Sampha at the moment.

Always. My mum and dad are musical so I grew up surrounded with it. The stage has always felt like home to me; we could never have been separated. I always loved creative writing too, so music and words came together very naturally for me. I think the first time I really knew that my music could communicate my feelings more effectively than anything else was when my brother went to Afghanistan about 8 years ago. My head was a cloud of confusion, and the only way I found clarity was when I wrote a song about it. I came away from the piano feeling like i’d had 6 months of counselling.

2017 is looking really exciting. Hopefully a tour in the Autumn, alongside an EP. Then I’d love to get over to the States or Europe before the year is out.

I have many faults, but I think my most prevalent is that I am an unashamed hedonist. If there is music, wine and good times, I’ll try my damnedest to be there.