Jake Bugg is in high demand. After a couple of years away, our favourite singer-songwriter from Nottingham is back with a clearer head, a more mature outlook and a brilliant new record. This weekend he will perform for hundred of Scottish fans at the legendary T in the Park festival. Ahead of his set, Jake took some to talk to our editor Lindsay Cochrane about music, touring and his best performance to-date.
Your third album, On My One, is out in June. Are you happy with the finished product?
Yeah, I’m pleased with it. There was a lot of challenges making this record.There were times I thought we wouldn’t get it finished, but we got there in the end. I’m happy with it. Now I just have to wait and see what happens – I don’t know how it’s going to be received.
You released your debut album and Shangri La quite close together. Was it a conscious decision to take a bit more time with On My One?
It was conscious to not release it as quickly. It took about the same time to write and produce it though, it took about a year – the same as the second one. I just didn’t start working on it until the start of 2015. I didn’t want to work for a while!
Excited to see @JakeBugg at T in the park🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/gB6fQrKxne
— James Shaw (@James_Shaw98) March 2, 2016
How would you sum up the new album?
It’s maybe less acoustic. There are still some acoustic songs in there. If anything, it’s maybe a little more like the first album.There are some elements in there that are different to the first two – a bit of dance music, a bit of soul, a bit of hip-hop, a bit of rap.
“THERE WAS A LOT OF CHALLENGES MAKING THIS RECORD – THERE WERE TIMES I THOUGHT WE WOULDN’T GET IT FINISHED”
You wrote this record entirely yourself, while the first two you co-wrote. Was that something you were keen to do from the start?
Yeah, I wanted to do that. It was important for me as an artist and as a writer, for my development. I just thought, if I don’t do it now, when else am I going to get to do it?
With the first two albums too, you got to work with so many amazing writers – you must have learned so much.
Exactly. It was free education!
How did the label react when you said you wanted to write on your own?
[laughs] It was their idea to put me with other songwriters in the first place, so that tells you everything you need to know!
What did you learn from the making of the first two records that you’ve brought to On My One?
It’s hard to say. I never consciously think about music when I’m creating it. I just sit down and see what happens, what comes out.Things might fall out that I’ve learned previously that I’m not aware of. But that’s the adventure for me, not knowing what you’re going to come out with next.
On My One https://t.co/9MA1kvyUfP pic.twitter.com/Bq8HL7b3G2
— Jake Bugg (@Jakebugg) February 16, 2016
What influences your music?
Many different things. Previous music I’ve been listening to.Things that I’ve experienced while on the road, things I’ve seen and heard about. A lot of the first record was about personal experiences and where I grew up, and I’m sure that still plays a role.
How does the song writing process work for you?
I just sit down and jam! On this record, I tried different things. I started with the drum beats a lot. On two of the songs I think it was, I tried something I hadn’t done before and wrote over the top of them. It kind of limits you in a way, which is good. It puts you in a box to work in. That was cool, working like that. Most of the time, it’s just picking up the guitar and seeing what happens.
Do you remember the first song you wrote?
I think it was just three chords. I remember it not being very good! But you’ve got to start somewhere.
“THAT’S THE ADVENTURE FOR ME, NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO COME OUT WITH NEXT”
You’ve spent loads of time on the road the last few years, and you’re off again on tour in the autumn. Are you looking forward to it?
I am actually, yeah. I didn’t think I’d want to get back on the road for a while, but now I’m ready! Especially with some new material and a different set list. It’s a lot of fun.
What’s been your most memorable gig to date?
It’s hard, I’ve had so many. I’ve played some massive shows. I mentioned to someone the other day, the third time we played T in the Park – to go up there and see that many people waiting for us was incredible. We didn’t expect it. Beers getting thrown around, people climbing up the structure – it was pretty impressive and pretty fun.
Thank you T in the Park you were amazin! and to all my fans for the support!
— Jake Bugg (@Jakebugg) July 7, 2012
What venue would you like to play?
I don’t think I’ll ever get to play them personally, but just because it’s the one thing we haven’t done, I’d like to play a stadium of some kind. Just to see what it’s like. It’ll probably never happen! We’ve done festivals, but a stadium would be great.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
That’s very difficult to answer. It all boils down to what happens when the record comes out! I’ll have to wait and see…
What’s the best thing about being a musician for a living?
I get to play music as my job. And also I get to travel the world, and not as a tourist either. I get to meet the local
people. Go where they go, eat what they eat.That’s one of that best things about it. Not having to be a tourist when you go there.

Jake Bugg will be playing the Radio 1 stage at T in the Park on Sunday.
Don’t forget to Tweet us your pictures!
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