name: Ben Jones

date of birth: 14-11-1982

place of birth: Pop Valley

star sign: Scorpio

current age: 26

other info:

Where did you go to school?
Minster College, then at 16 I moved to Maidstone where I attended Mid Kent College for 4yrs studying popular music BTEC National Diploma and HND.

When did you start writing songs? How many to date?
Started writing songs aged 13, making albums at home using a 4 Track then moving to an 8 Track, playing all the instruments myself. To date I have written over 600 songs.

When did you start playing guitar and what other instruments do you play. How many did you play on The Lovedays album?
Started playing guitar aged 12, self taught and then moved to piano and drums. I can now play Mandolin, Harmonica, Bass, Cello, Banjo, Melodica, Recorder, Hammond Organ, Auto Harp Ukulele all self taught as well.
Played the majority of instruments on The Lovedays album and arranged and produced everything.

Who are your writing / performing Influences?
Writing influences range from Bob Dylan, Ray Davies, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Jimmy Webb, Pete Townsend, Ryan Adams, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon to Tom Waits.
Performing Influences come from Billy Childish, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, The Faces, bands who really want to entertain their crowd.

When was the current line up finalised?
Current line up finalised when I wrote the batch of songs for the album, built around the powerhouse energy of Sam Jacques's drumming and enthusiasm. Jason brings subtlety and excitement to the mix and Ned is a solid backbone to the sound. Met over a good drink!

Gigs to date played mainly in what area?
We have played around 20 gigs since September 2007, mainly in Kent (Maidstone and Gillingham) area. We are about to take on the London circuit of which I already have a good amount of experience.

How would you describe your music?
A throwback of 60s melody and values with a current attitude. Beach Boys harmonies, Beatley arrangements, Who- Like energy. That Californian 60s West Coast sound spun in with swinging London.

How did you go about recording the new album to obtain such different sounds for each track?
First and foremost I set about working with Jim Riley after hearing some of his work. Recorded the album over 4, 4 day sessions between September and December.
Hired in Chris Haig at 3rd session to record the string arrangements.
I wanted to create a coercive pop album that wore its influences of Brian Wilson, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Neil Young proudly on its sleeve. Whilst still contributing a new element.


Did you have input from all of the band and the engineer?
I composed all of the arrangements before going to the studio with no input from anyone else.
The most collaborative effort was with 'Me, Myself and I', with a few suggestions from the band. I prefer to work alone, not out ruling suggestions but I put a lot of time and effort into the arrangements so have usually considered most options before hand. Help is always helpful though!
Jim Riley, the engineer helped me to decide when certain things were finished. Wanted to create a good overall soundscape with the instruments and time frame I had available.

How many other players, apart from the three permanent Lovedays members were involved? What were their names, where are they from, what did they play?
Had Chris Haigh in to play all string parts. He's a great feel player that adds a lovely warmth and depth to the recordings making a coupe of string parts sound bigger- more like a quartet! He's a great combination string player.
Jim Riley played a little guitar and harmonica. Medway Legend, what more can you say.

Other Stuff:
We are currently participating in a documentary of the bands first year with local up and coming director Phil West of Greenacre Films, who has directed two features. He's a 21st Century Martin Scorsese. Phil is also directing and conceptualised our first music video for "Sit Me Down Woman Blues".