Introducing: Jamie Berry

Swing beat collaborator, Wakefield-based…

YOUR NAME: Jamie Berry
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING MUSIC? Professionally around 10 years now, but have been playing in bands, with friends and learning instruments since I was very young.
ANY PAST BANDS OR COLLABORATIONS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? I’ve worked with a lot of people in the electro-swing scene (which is very small!). The band I was in back in the day called The Refined, we never got signed or released any music but that’s what really got me into playing live and producing.

GIVE US 3 REASONS WHY WE SHOULD TRACK DOWN, LISTEN AND DISCOVER YOUR MUSIC?
1. It is genuinely one of the most feel-good music genres on the planet.
2. It’ll make me more money.
3. I think everyone should be championing and supporting local artists when they can.

WHERE DO YOU SOUND BEST – FESTIVAL, CLUB, BEDROOM – OR SOMEWHERE ELSE?
I think it always seems to go down best at a festival, a few beers, decent weather…

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST…
RECORD? Sgt Peppers – Beatles.
CD? Human League – ‘Tell Me When’.
DOWNLOAD? Papa Roach – ‘Last Resort’.

SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES RIGHT AND YOU’VE GOT A BOTTOMLESS PIT OF MONEY AND LONG QUEUE OF HANGERS-ON, WHAT WILL BE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INDULGENCE?
Emerson Moog Modular System – no idea how to use it, would just look good in the studio.

SO, WHEN IT ALL GOES WRONG AND YOU’RE LEFT BITTER AND TWISTED AND CURSING THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHAT DO YOU FALL BACK ON?
I work as a secondary school teacher teaching music, so it’s all good.

WHAT ARE YOUR MUSICAL GUILTY PLEASURES…
Five – Invincible album (so many bangers on there).
Limp Bizkit – Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water.

WHO ARE YORKSHIRE’S FINEST IN CULTURE, SPORT AND MUSIC?
I’ll set the record straight… I’m actually from Lincolnshire, however, I lived in Leeds for over 10 years and now Wakefield for 5, I feel like I’ve earned an honorary Yorkshire status. As for Yorkshire’s finest, it’s got to be Jane McDonald, hot since 82 and Chris Kamara – all Wakey legends.

Jamie with collaborator Little Violet

NAME YOUR SUPERGROUP – WHO’S PLAYING WHAT, WHO’S ON VOCALS AND WHO’S YOUR BEZ?
Bass – Flea
Vocals – Ella Fitzgerald
Backing Vocals – John Lennon
Drums – Travis Barker
Keys – Rick Wakeman.

GO SEE THIS FILM: Whiplash.
GO READ THIS BOOK: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.
GREAT LOST BAND/ARTIST: Viola Beach.
WOULDN’T BE CAUGHT DEAD SUPPORTING: Muse.
LONDON, L.A OR LEEDS?: London.

AND FINALLY… AS YOU LEAVE THE STAGE, WHAT ARE YOUR PARTING WORDS?
“Cheers pals.”

Jamie Berry’s track with Little Violet, ‘Take You Right Back’ is out now
Jamie also has an EP called ‘Antiquity’ coming out in August
For more info visit: facebook.com/jamieberrymusic