- Act Profile:
Jon Hart Music
- Genre:
- Acoustic
Jon Hart is the capital’s latest talent; an astute musician who merges virtuoso finger-style guitar with catchy vocal harmony and beat-boxing. Writing, arranging and performing his own songs is central to Jon’s philosophy as an artist.
Jon Hart Music up close
Gigs
There are no gigs currently scheduled
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Jon Hart Live @ The Regal Room
- 0
- 0
The Distillers 64 Fulham Palace Road Hammersmith London
W6 9PH- DATE:
- 15 November 2012
- TIME:
- 19:30:00
- VENUE:
- The Regal Room
- #ATTENDED:
- 4
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Jon Hart Live @ The Troubadour
- 0
- 0
263-7 Old Brompton Road London
SW5 9JA- DATE:
- 01 November 2012
- TIME:
- 21:52:33
- VENUE:
- The Troubadour
- #ATTENDED:
- 0
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Jon Hart Live @ The Troubadour
- 0
- 0
263-7 Old Brompton Road London
SW5 9JA- DATE:
- 04 January 2013
- TIME:
- 19:30:00
- VENUE:
- The Troubadour
- #ATTENDED:
- 5
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Jon Hart @ The Bedford
- 0
- 0
77 Bedford Hill Balham
SW12 9HD- DATE:
- 10 January 2013
- TIME:
- 20:00:00
- VENUE:
- The Bedford
- #ATTENDED:
- 5
Introduction
Jon Hart is the capital’s latest talent; an astute musician who merges virtuoso finger-style guitar with catchy vocal harmony and beat-boxing. Writing, arranging and performing his own songs is central to Jon’s philosophy as an artist.
Bio
Originally from the Isle of Wight and now living in Surrey, Jon self-manages his roles as a session musician and guitar tutor during the day, whilst the evenings provide time to perform his music. He has enjoyed tours to LA and Belgium in previous set ups, receiving airplay on ABC radio, but is now focused on making his latest material – he alludes to his upcoming EP release ‘Defuse’ as his most exciting, captivating and inclusive to date. Whilst his previous material has represented Jon as a popular singer/songwriter, this new release has pushed Jon to the limits of pure musical satisfaction. Influenced by Newton Faulkner, Andy McKee, Jon Gomm, Imogen Heap and many others, this EP presents a more mature and artistic element to London’s acoustic scene by adding percussive hooks, and layered harmony to formulate a set with depth and incredible energy. After two years in the making, ‘Defuse’ will be released in late 2012, and we are certain you will enjoy it. Jon’s ultimate focus is his love for music. He has established himself in South London as a committed DIY artist, working professionally with both the artistic and business side of the industry. Everything you have read, heard or seen about Jon Hart is genuine; an honesty that he strives to capture in every performance and release.
Video
Photos
Q. How did you first get into playing music?
My family popped me on the piano at 5 and then I discovered the guitar at 8. Started singing at 12 and beatboxing at 22.
Q. How long have you been performing?
10-15 years worldwide
Q. How would you describe your sound in one sentence?
Finger-style singer/songwriter, merging percussive hooks with catchy vocal harmony melodies and virtuoso beat-boxing.
Q. What makes your music unique?
Although there are a few guys experimenting with the fingerstyle/singer-songwriter (Newton Faulkner / Jon Gomm) style, I feel I've been able to develop a sound that is thick, fresh and distinctive with influences from the guys above and other artists like Imogen Heap, Andy McKee and Sting.
Q. What inspires you to write songs?
I used to hammer out a song each day but playing these songs live felt disconnected as I was playing as a performer entertaining a crowd, rather than playing from the heart and connecting with the crowd. My fingerstyle pieces are like puzzles. You concentrate and develop one 10-30 second section and play it over and over until it's perfect. Then you work out the next part. It's all about feeling! My experience is every song is like writing a book, take your time and put it through the mill. My 2nd single (off the Defuse EP) Defuse took 6 months to write and then another 2/3 months to record. Taking 2 years out to write and develop this style was the best thing I've done for my career
Q. What have been your best and worst gig experiences?
Best gig: It's got to be The Regal Rooms at the beginning of 2013. It was the debut performance of my fingerstyle/singer-songwriter material after 2 years in the making. As soon as I started the whole room shut up. I was told if you can shut down this venue in volume, you will go far - it was a great feeling! Worst gig: Playing my old material live felt like slogging so every gig was never quite right.
Q. If you had to listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?
Tough one.....I listen to 'Biscuits for Breakfast' by 'Fink' a lot!
Q. What do you get up to when you’re not making music?
I'm a full time self employed musician teaching guitar during the day and playing weddings/parties in the evenings. I'm also the frontman for Electronic Rock/DnB band Opinaut. I've been told off by family and friends for working 24/7 on music haha!
Q. What are your goals at the moment?
My goal was always to be a fulltime musician and earn a good wage out of something I love. My goal now is to maintain this and build on it. Building a reputation as a decent musician, guitar tutor, session musician, event performer etc is not an overnight thing - it takes hours and hours of constant care and attention. My goal for this material is to release four quality 4-track EPs over 2 years and build up a large fanbase and build up my reputation. Sold out gigs and support slots with major artists would be ideal.
Q. What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or gigs lined up?
The whole album has been written and recorded. The focus is now on the second EP which will be released in June 2013. New fingerstyle tracks keep flowing - once you start you can't stop! That's when you know you're on to a good thing!
Q. What do you think of Unsigned Band Review?
I've been using you guys for a while now. I got some glowing reviews for Stormy Weather Rolls, which is the first track from the first EP 'Defuse'. UBR is a great way to get through to large industry folk. I haven't seen another website like it.
Q. What is the name of the last track that you wrote and what is it about?
A fingerstyle piece called 'Arrival'. I've recently become a father to my first child. Stormy Weather Rolls is about a sad time my wife and I went through in early 2012 ago. A year on and we now have a beautiful baby girl. A ukelele has already been setup for her to start playing at a very very early age!
Q. What was the music scene like where you grew up?
I grew up on the Isle of Wight. Back in the day the industry was starting to build up again (after the hype of the Isle of Wight festival in 60's/70's). The Isle of Wight Festival started back up again and the music scene started bubbling. I moved to Southampton after the 2nd year of the IOW festival, then moved to London and haven't been back since. I hear from IOW bands that the scene is good - the only problem is it's cut off from the mainland meaning their gig numbers are low. The internet and websites like UBR have helped a few IOW bands already.
Reviews
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A terrifically accomplished musician - a very, very interesting track.
Reviewed by
Pete Donaldson
13 January 2013 -
This is a beautifully performed and recorded track. Hart's tumbling, twinkling acoustic guitar part runs through the song like a waterfall, while he sings of love and spiritual renewal in a firm, high voice: "I saw a brand new life...I was so surprised." There are gossamer-fine vocal harmonies swirling around the mix and the melody is broken up by a succession of bewitching instrumental interludes as bass strings are thwacked, and glistening harmonics ring out from the upper register. The world is not short of singers accompanying themselves on acoustic guitar, but this track raises the bar to impressive heights.
Reviewed by
David Sinclair
28 December 2012 -
Jon gives us especially good acoustic guitar skills and a voice that is both current and emotive. "Stormy Weather Rolls" is a downtempo moody stripped down affair which I enjoyed a lot. As it is, Jon's appeal is probably niche and it sounds a little like he's trying too hard. If he relaxed a little and teamed up with some fellow accomplished musicians he could work in a similar way to (say) John Martyn. Well worth checking !
Reviewed by
Simon Li
28 November 2012
Buzz
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sounds amazing! brilliant!
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Fab artist, original sound - love him!
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Amazing Guitarist!! Unique and classy Sound.
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Great Artist! I really love the single!
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A whole host of incredible influences creating music so unique. A star in the making...
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Really brilliant long time since I heard anything so wicked
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Absolutely brilliant!
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Love the new single! Great artist! Really worth the listen!
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Amazing Artist! Incredible Talent! Can't wait to go see him again!!!!
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Can't wait for the first gig next Thursday at The Regal Room... I'm buzzing! Start of an epic journey full of brilliant music-making; what a creative and exciting young mind!
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Fabulous single. Can't wait for more from Jon!
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BEAUTIFULL!!
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amazing to listen to, even better when you get the opportunity to watch him play.
Superfans
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