A GIG for the diary and one not to be missed is coming up on Saturday, September 23 and features not only The Jack Bartlett Band but support slots from The Broken Men and Lewis Hayward with proceeds of the gig going to The Mustard Tree Cancer Support Unit based at Derriford Hospital.

Ellie Hudson caught up with Jack to get the lowdown on his music career to date and most notably his EP See How They Run.

‘Who is Jack Bartlett?’

‘I am 26 years old, born in Plymouth but have lived in Torpoint my whole life. I first became interested in music around the age of 14 when I began to play the guitar seriously.

The Jack Bartlett Band was formed in early 2017. Its purpose was to help promote my original music and perform songs from my debut EP onwards.’

‘You have your band behind you for this one-off show, tell us about it and the reason behind it?’

‘The band consists of five members: Me, Jack Bartlett, rhythm guitar and vocals; Chris Tate, lead guitar; Shaun Fletcher, keyboards, guitar, harmonica and vocals; Allan Chantrell on bass guitar and Dan Vaughan on drums and percussion.

‘As well as rehearsing religiously over the last six months or so we have also been in the studio recording a double ‘A side’ single — Everywhere I Go/Tough Love.

‘This recording was released on August 19 as a digital download from iTunes and Spotify as well as a limited-edition CD.’

‘Tell us more about your music and the people behind it.’

‘I have always been extremely lucky to know very talented musicians I can call upon to help me put it all together.

‘My first two EPs featured Tony Way, a veteran of the Plymouth music scene. Tony played bass guitar and added backing  vocals with his son Rob adding electric guitar and keyboards on a couple of songs.

‘My latest EP See How They Run, was released in November 2016 and featured a group of new musicians. Essentially an EP of ballads, I believe its my best release to date.

‘This CD was re-released in 2017 and featured a bonus track I Can’t Help Myself — a single that was released on iTunes and Spotify earlier in the year.  

‘As well as coming together to form my backing band, Chris, Allan and Dan gig together as ‘The Forgers’, a three-piece rock band performing mainly original songs in addition to classic covers. Shaun is also no stranger to the gigging circuit having played in many bands over the years and as a solo artist. When Shaun and I aren’t playing separately or as part of The Jack Bartlett Band, we work together as an acoustic duo called ‘The Dulcet Tones’, performing a selection of pop/rock covers from the 1950’s onwards.

‘You cite bands like The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd and 10CC as influences, how on earth did you get into bands like that given your young age?’

‘I have always been interested in the sound of the 60s. I think that is reflective in the music I write and record. I am a fan of many bands and artists but when writing music I attempt to sound as much like my idols as possible. These artists include The Beatles, The Eagles, Richard Hawley, Chris Rea, Steve Cradock and Oasis.’

‘And you have roped in other bands for support, who are these bands?’

‘For this prestigious show we have invited along two support acts. ‘The Broken Men’ are a four piece acoustic/blues/rock band local to the Torpoint and Plymouth area. Having been an admirer of theirs for a long time they seemed a natural first choice.’

‘Opening the show at 8pm will be young 20- year-old songwriter Lewis Hayward, who takes his influences from the rock’n’roll singers of the 50s.’