Award-winning blues, folk and Americana musician Luke Jackson, from Canterbury, loves the song-writing process.
But if the 23-year-old was put on the spot, he’d say that performing is probably his favourite part as it gives him the chance to see how the “finished product is received by the audience”.
After touring all over Europe and performing in Kansas City’s Folk Alliance, Jackson is coming towards the end of his fifth tour of Scotland along with bassist Andy Sharps.
Until now, the young musician has played in every Scottish city apart from Perth- but not for long. This tour will mark his debut in the Fair City as he plays in the Green Room tonight.
“I’ve just checked out the venue online,” he says.
“It looks like a lovely little place. I haven’t really heard much about Perth. I’m looking forward to getting there and having a wander around.”
Luke says his audiences in England and Scotland tend to be very similar.
“They are always up for it,” he adds. “They can change from venue to venue. They are generally good rowdy crowds and that. I think it depends. We’ve played venues where people are sat and listen intently to the music – they are very respectful.”
A guitar player since the age of 11, Lee’s music covers “blues, roots, Americana, and a bit of folk”.
His dad played guitar “behind closed doors” and initially got him interested in music.
Luke went on to have a covers band and then started writing his own material.
The young folk singer has been steadily up accolades and garnering an ever-increasing following.
The awards include Fatea’s “Male Artist of the Year Award” 2014 and 2016 and a nomination for BBC Radio 2 Folk Award’s “Horizon Award for Best Emerging Talent” and “The Young Folk Category”.
With increasing popularity and demand- including two sold-out nights at the Fringe for the last two years- the Scottish tour has been getting rave reviews.
The singer’s first album, ‘More Than Boys’, produced by Martyn Joseph, was released in 2012 to great praise.
Fast forward five years and three additional releases later, the young man continues to impress.
He continues to be a much sought-after individual who has worked with people such as Amy Wadge (the co-writer behind Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’).
A review of the duo’s performance at Stanley Halls earlier this year commented, “Stunning does not even begin to adequately describe this pair of superb artists; as solo artists they are both at the top of their game but together they really do take things to another level”.
With the release of his latest album, ‘Tall Tales and Rumours’ in 2016, Luke Jackson’s prominence as a figure in folk music is on the rise, and he hopes to return for tours of the USA and Canada soon.
*Luke Jackson, The Green Room, Perth, July 28
