Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, REM, Mary Coughlan, Weakerthans, Eels, Leonard Cohen, Richard Ashcroft, Peter Gabriel, Matumbi, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Paul Weller, Shane McGowan, Van Morrison, Ivor Cutler, Morcheeba, Damien Dempsey, and probably lots more I've forgotten to mention.
Sounds Like
A strange blend of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, REM, Mary Coughlan, Weakerthans, Eels, Leonard Cohen, Richard Ashcroft, Peter Gabriel, Matumbi, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Paul Weller, Shane McGowan, Van Morrison, Ivor Cutler, Morcheeba, Damien Dempsey, and probably lots more I've forgotten to mention.
I'm a full-time writer, mainly fiction for teens and juniors, specialising in absurd comedy with serious intentions; also some adult radio comedy and tv scripts. I've sold over a quarter million books, am a BBC Talent awardwinner and have been shortlisted for the Children's Book Award and Writers Guild Best Children's TV Script. My full cv is in my blog.
You can buy my books online here.
My kids' books website is here. This also features free downloadable songs for the under-7s.
My anti-capitalist teen novel "The Last Free Cat" also has a website.
I'm currently working on a novel about the 1969 Isle of Wight Pop Festival - see here for extract.
I'm also an activist, enemy of snobs, racists, hypocrites, exploiters and lying millionaire war criminals.
Besides gardening and writing songs in my spare time.
All the songs here and many more can be downloaded at Soundclick, either as single tracks or a 12-song album, Closure.
Here are a few sample online reviews of the songs on Closure:
“'Closure' is (I feel) aching in emotion... I love it”
“'Love in an empty room' - Jon, your material is consistently good.”
“'Come Home Soon' is a beautiful song -- love the chords, melody, lyrics and vocals.”
“I really loved 'Can't Think What'...very melodic indeed”
“'Dangerous Friend' is a very powerful and moving piece -- between the lyrics and the mood of the tune itself it had hair standing up on my arms.”
"'Where we're from' is as good as it gets”
“'Roll Over Christmas' Beautiful music!”
Upload your music now to www.topoftheox.co.uk for a chance to win one of the biggest deals in the business. Open to all genres. Sponsored by SAE, Marshall, StarNow, Zimbalam and many other key industry names. www.topoftheox.co.uk REGISTER NOW
Hey its Sem thought I would let you know that we have decided to give our entire album away for free on download. We wanted to share the music with as many people as possible. You can get it here:
PLAYING A BUNCH A DIFFERENT TYPE SHOWS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
IF YOUR IN IRELAND OR ENGLAND. OR YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED -CAN YOU LET THEM KNOW- THIS OF COURSE IS THE GREAT ACID TST OF MY SPACE- IF YOU CONTACTED ME - THEN HERE I AM CONTACTING YOU.
IRELAND 03- OF APRIL - IN THE GREYSTONES THEATRE- WITH SUPPORT FROM MARIA BYRNE.
17TH OF APRIL- IN KILORGAN-CO KERRY- IN THE SOL Y SOMBRA
20TH TO THE 30TH OF APRIL IN NYC- RECORDING A LIVE C.D DUE OUT THIS YEAR.
13TH OF MAY- MONKEY CHEWS- IN LONDON- WITH SUPPORT FROM SEAMUS MC LOUGHLIN
A SPECIAL SHOW- ON THE 16TH OF MAY IN BRINDLE, CHORLEY, LANCASHIRE. PLACES ARE PRETTY LIMITED ON THIS ONE - BUT I THINK IT'S A BEAUTY, LET ME KNOW.
22ND OF MAY IN YORK- HOUSE CONCERTS- AS ABOVE - GREAT PLACE TO PLAY AND COME AND HEAR MUSIC.
BACK TO IRELAND FOR CONARY HALL-IN AVOCA . CO WICKLOW- LIVE MIC WEEKENDER. ON THE 24TH OF MAY.
THEN BACK TO THE U.K FOR THE 31ST OF MAY AT THE VERVE BAR IN LEEDS..
Oh my Lord! What a cracking line-up we have for No.9 on THURSDAY 15TH JANUARY, check it out! NOW UPSTAIRS AT THE BUFFALO BAR, Windsor Place, Cardiff - 8pm till Late! - £4.00 *** Drink offers include £2 a pint and £2 for a spirit + mixer ***
CHRISTOPHER REES [Blues / Soul / Country] "Intense and absolutely mesmerizing" Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1)
CONVOI EXCEPTIONNEL [Minimalist / Rock / Hip Hop] "Convoi Exceptionnel are a Welsh rock and hiphop duo from the mean streets of Aberystwyth. Despite now living 300 miles apart and armed with only an SM58, a Mac and a twenty pound guitar from Argos they've managed to knock up some tunes for your enjoyment and get played on national radio"
DRAW ME STORIES [Alternative / Folk Rock / Indie] "A dark and raw yet perfectly polished and professional performance that will surely lead to bigger things...No doubt helped along by the fact lead singer Carl Hodgetts has the kind of Ian Curtis/ Paul Banks voice that makes girls go weak at knees!"
VALLEY LINES [Electronica / Dub / Psychedelic] "Valley Lines is the main musical project of Cardiff based electronic producer and sound artist Christian Gates, his musical output shifts from simplistic electro to densely layered electronica, often incorporating sound recordings from the natural environment with complex beats and synthesised noise"
...plus DJ's for a good old dance!
Get the weekend started early ;~) Luv, [Thee alternative - EVERY month!]
No Borders South Wales organises against migration controls and fights for freedom of movement for all. Keep any eye on our blogposts and bulletins to see how you can help resist the border regime!
Oh my Lord! What a cracking line-up we have for No.7 on THURSDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER, check it out! Be there or be square ;~)
CYMBIENT [Indie / Experimental / Surf] "...from lavish psychedelia to valve crunching riffs to structured beauty...rich backing tracks and lush harmonies...Stuff Brian Wilson into a split screen camper van with some retro valve amps, a first edition stylophone, Beefheart’s ’Clear Spot’ on the stereo and head for the welsh surf breaks with cymbient..."
STRAY BORDERS [Alternative / Experimental / Rock] "...current essential new Welsh tunes include a demo by Stray Borders which could give Mogwai a run for their money..." [Huw Stevens]
DRONE [Electronica / Indie / Pop] "F!?&ing Godly" [A friend] "As much fun to listen to as Dylan" [Another friend]
...plus DJ's for a good old dance!
Upstairs at 10 Feet Tall, Church St, Cardiff - 8 till Late - £4. 00
Luv, [Thee alternative - 3rd Thursday of EVERY month!]
Hiya Jon, Really hope you can get down to No.6 on THURSDAY 21st AUGUST for 4 great bands...
THE ASH & THE OAK "Lovely Songs and Lush Harmonies" KITES "truly epic, Kites' seven band members create an impressive wall of sound" THE PAGAN WANDERER LU "Strongly worded letters from a road safety fascist set to bedroom electro indie pop tunes" FEBRIA "harmonious rock n' roll quintet"
...and DJ's for a good old dance! Get the weekend started early ;~)
Take care, [Thee alternative - 3rd Thursday of EVERY month!]
No.9 
No.6
