MT Jones: Liverpool's Young Maestro Infuses Modern R&B With Vintage 60s/70s Mod Vibes, Echoing Aspects of a Soulful Hipster, Giving off an Edgy Vibe That's Both Emotional and Captivating. 

INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR  

From the bustling streets of Liverpool emerges a musical prodigy like no other – MT Jones, a maestro whose melodies transport listeners across epochs and genres. Imagine this: the soulful echoes of the 60s and 70s intertwine with the contemporary beats of modern R&B and jazz, creating a symphony that defies time itself.  

And speaking of symphonies, MT's single, "Wasting My Time," is like a sonic burst of sunshine – it captures the essence of summer, inviting you to lose yourself in the moment. His words paint a vivid picture of life's simple pleasures – the warmth of a friend's company, the comforting embrace of a favorite beverage, or the vast expanse of the sky above. 

But MT Jones is no ordinary musician – he's a virtuoso in every sense of the word. From enchanting crowds at legendary festivals like the Cambridge Folk Festival and Secret Garden Party to setting stages ablaze in London under the esteemed Communion Live banner, his journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication and talent.  

And let's not forget his collaborations – rubbing shoulders with industry giants like Eg White, Jonathan Quarmby, and Paul O Duffy have only fueled his fire, propelling him to new heights of musical greatness. With accolades from BBC Introducing and BBC Merseyside under his belt, MT Jones is a force to be reckoned with.  

But the real pièce de resistance? His upcoming EP is a tantalizing showcase of his boundless talent and creativity. Each track, from the infectious rhythms of "All I Do" to the pulsating beats of "Tough Love," is a testament to his unwavering passion for his craft.   

As the countdown to the EP's most likely release in September, MT Jones is poised on the brink of stardom, his infectious energy and undeniable talent ready to captivate audiences worldwide. So buckle up because this is just the beginning of an electrifying journey with MT Jones – a journey filled with music, splendor, and endless possibilities. I had the opportunity to speak with this creative genius, and here's what he shared with me. 

Hi Mike, Nice to meet you. How are you doing today? I'm fine. Nice to meet you. Are you alright?  

Yes, I'm better than alright. I'm having a fabulous day. Speaking of having a great day, how is the weather where you're located? It's all good. It's actually pretty sunny, to be fair.  

That's fascinating! I'd love to hear more about your background. Could you share a bit about where you were born and where you currently reside in the UK? I was born in Ellesmere Port, a port town in the Cheshire West and Chester borough in Cheshire, England, and I now call Liverpool home.  

That's interesting to hear. I'm curious: what does a typical day in the life of MT Jones look like? My daily schedule includes working on music, lots of writing, and doing lots of gigs. You know, there are spells of doing lots of gigs, while other times, I focus on collaborative writing projects with friends and my regular writing partners.  

Mike, your life sounds like an absolute blast! Imagine a life filled with nothing but music - every music lover's dream! Now, tell me, how would you describe yourself when you're not performing on stage? Who is the real MT Jones, the man? 

I would say that I’m generally a happy person but, I suppose you'd have to speak to someone else. But, I think that I am relatively easy-going.  

So, overall, the real Mike is pretty much a happy person. Yeah, I try to be. 

That's awesome! I love being around loving, happy, and friendly people, so it makes me glad to hear that happiness is a character trait you aim to have within yourself. Good for you, Mike. Now, if I ask you this question, what is your dream? What would you tell me? My dream is to continue to create my own original music, live a happy life, have good friends and family around me, and just be surrounded by music and nice people. 

Great! Now, Mike, every musician has a unique story to share about their musical journey. What would you say is your earliest recollection of being introduced to music? I have a vivid early memory of my uncle playing the piano. My dad also played the guitar, but I distinctly remember my uncle coming over to play our old, beat-up piano by ear. He used to play a lot of jazz songs, and that was my first introduction to music. I always thought it was cool what he was doing. 

My uncle plays really well. He performs beautiful melodies on the piano, and listening to some of those songs for the first time made me think, wow, that's pretty amazing! You just sit and listen while he's playing, and it really captures your attention. 

How old were you at the time? I was about 7 or 8 years old. We got a piano for the house, and I was really into football and other things, but then “music” caught my attention. Slowly, I became increasingly interested until I became sort of obsessed. 

Now Mike, I hope you don't mind me asking this question. They say there's no such thing as a dumb question, but I think I'm about to shatter that myth. When you say "football" to an American, we think of the NFL. So, are you talking about American-style NFL football or that other "football" that Americans call soccer? (Laughs) No, the UK style of football that's similar to American soccer. (Laughs) 

That's hilarious! Although Americans and Brits speak English, I find out more and more daily how different our English is. That's cool. So, what about the concept of 'sound' initially attracted you to music? Sound, in general, has a way of affecting us differently. Certain sounds naturally catch our attention, while others don’t have the same impact. It’s an innate response, something we are naturally drawn to. That’s how it has always felt for me. You follow where those sounds lead you. 

As a creative person, it's tough to put into words. It's like this innate gift that you have, something that God has instilled in you. It's a natural inclination towards something that you can't explain why you're drawn to it, but you just are. Yeah, of course. 

Were you the standout creative one in your friend group growing up, or were you surrounded by equally creative friends? I consider myself very fortunate to still have very close friends whom I play and jam with. When I was in primary and high school, I was part of little bands, and we did a lot of things together. Even today, I am extremely close to two lads, and we still play music together. They all play different instruments, so we've always enjoyed jamming together, which is really nice. It's great to have a few close friends whom I still play music with. 

Wow, absolutely incredible! It's fascinating how being a creative individual can sometimes pose challenges when it comes to excelling academically in a traditional school setting. I can totally relate to this as I often find myself lost in the depths of my creative mind. Did you experience a similar situation during your school days? Were you more inclined towards the right side of your brain, embracing your creative side? I believe I was occasionally distracted, but not consistently. I always made an effort to perform well. Obviously, music has held a strong attraction for me. I also found out that I am dyslexic, but it hasn't stopped me from writing. Sometimes, there are a few mistakes when I write, but I know what I mean, so it's okay when I send it. 

Spell check is truly a lifesaver, believe me! Many of us would be sending out documents full of errors if it weren't for this amazing tool. It's a great era to be dyslexic, with all the resources available to help with daily tasks. 

It's truly amazing how technology has advanced and made our lives better. Thank you for sharing that with me. Now, Mike, I'm curious to know what steps you took to pursue your passion for music once you realized it was your calling in life. I always thought music was the only thing I could do well, so I focused on pursuing it to make a living. I've had odd jobs here and there, but my main focus has always been on songwriting and creating my own music. I've hustled to keep doing what I love, and so far, it's been working out fine since I'm still here. 

And what sacrifices would you say you had to make to reach the level you are today as an artist? I don't think I've made huge sacrifices. I feel like in your personal life, you end up sacrificing a lot of weekends and family time, and you might miss out on certain opportunities. However, I think that, overall, people understand what you do, and you try to make time when you can. You just aim to be there when possible, and I think people are often very supportive and encourage you to pursue what you love doing. So, you just try your best, you know. 

Yeah. Your true friends will appreciate that, and they'll always be there for you because if they're true friends, they'll want to see you succeed. Of course. Yeah.  

Definitely! Hey Mike, your music is absolutely incredible. Your vocals, lyrics, and musicality are top-notch. A lot of musicians with such talent usually have some sort of formal education. Have you ever pursued private music lessons or studied music at a college or university? I studied at a university in Liverpool and had piano lessons, but other than that, I've never had any formal training. Just bits here and there in school. I've also done a fair bit of musicals along the way, and I've picked up a lot of instruments from playing the piano. Once you're into music, you tend to pick up random bits and lessons along the way. I'm still working it out. 

Yeah, absolutely. Awesome. What's one of the most profound statements you've heard from someone you admire in music that still resonates with you today? It's an interesting question. John Lennon once discussed the importance of love in music, which I find fascinating. Personally, I think music should be used to spread positivity and convey genuine emotions. Artists often come across various quotes from fellow artists, and I admire how Bill Withers emphasized the significance of truth in his music. Singing what you truly believe in is important, in my opinion. While there are numerous inspiring words from great artists, I've never really condensed it into a single statement. But, I believe that as you go through life, you can learn from many artists and find things that deeply resonate with you. 

Cicely Tyson's final interview left a lasting impact on me when she simply stated, "I did my best," when asked about her last words. And I was fascinated by a story shared during an interview about an opening for Miles Davis. The person mentioned how Miles Davis responded to their question about keeping up with him by saying, "Well, when they want to go fast, you go slow." I love that!  I like that. 

Miles was a trailblazer, never afraid to break boundaries and explore uncharted territory. His fearless approach to his craft is truly inspiring, and I believe modern artists can draw valuable lessons from his boldness. It's one of the aspects that I find most captivating about him. Yeah, that's it. 

You, Mike, have a unique sound that combines elements of the 60s and 70s, soulful R&B, and cool jazz. Who would you say were your musical influences? Early on, I used to listen to a bunch of British singers and songwriters at first. 

Then, I discovered music from the US and thought, "Wow, I really like this!" Ray Charles was a big influence on me early on, especially as I was diving into piano, jazz, and blues. That was my gateway into that world. I got really into American music like Motown and Stax Records, that whole vibe. I was totally hooked on it. I've always admired songwriters like Stevie, Michael, and many others who have that signature sound. There are so many artists I could talk about for hours, but yeah, I just fell head over heels for that scene, those voices, and those songs. I fell completely in love with it and have been besotted with it ever since. 

That music possesses remarkable resilience, able to withstand catastrophic events like a nuclear explosion. Its power and timelessness make it an indispensable pillar in the realms of soul, jazz, and blues. In my humble opinion, it represents the purest form of authentic soul music, surpassing all other songs as mere derivatives. People have built upon its foundation, creating something new by adding their own touch, but much of today's music lacks the space, lyrical depth, and the beautiful imperfections that make it truly natural. 

The digitalization and perfection of music today have stripped away the beauty and brilliance of human flaws. Nothing in life is perfect, and I believe that this new AI-driven, flawlessly covered world fears the natural simplicity of space, imperfections, and creativity in music. Your music, Mike, has that nostalgic old-school essence that I absolutely adore. Speaking of which, Mike, how would you personally describe your music to those who are unfamiliar with it? I would say I'm a singer-songwriter in the soul vein. It's a mix of a lot of stuff, including ballads, and I have some up-tempo songs coming, too. Basically, I just sing the type of music that I like. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. 

You're absolutely killing it by simply being your incredible, one-of-a-kind self! Your music and style are absolutely captivating. I know you're a talented multi-instrumentalist, playing both the piano and guitar flawlessly. Is there something else I've missed? Yes, I play a bit of bass, but not on the records. There are a couple of other guys who play bass on the records. I play keys and organs and create intricate string and harmony arrangements. I find great pleasure in doing that. 

The specific tasks vary from record to record. Additionally, I have some skills in playing drums. I can lay down the drum part for a demo, but I prefer to let someone else handle it when it comes to the actual take. 

It's crucial to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and, even more importantly, to utilize those strengths in others when tackling significant tasks. Well done, Mike! Among all the instruments you can play, which one brings you the most joy? I noticed you play the guitar. What type of guitar is it? It's a "Fender Telecaster." Yeah, I got that last year, and I love it. But then I play with other guitars as well. Basically, I will play whatever's in the room.  

Also, I write a lot on guitar, but piano is my main instrument. That's the one that I had training on. But the guitar is something that I love to play. I like writing on it and piano too. I enjoy it. 

Absolutely. Do you have any endorsements, or are you working on getting any? I usually save up to buy the instruments I want. I get whatever I can afford at the time, and then I gradually build up my collection from there. I've always saved up to buy the next thing. For me, it's more about the instrument rather than the brand. However, there are certain guitars that I'm more into than others, especially the ones that my musical heroes play. 

It's impressive that you have talents in songwriting, singing, composing, and playing music. I'm curious, Mike, do you also handle the production of your music? I dabble in production, but it's not quite like the records I've been involved in. I've had the opportunity to work with various producers at different times. The producer I regularly collaborate with has worked on the latest batch of records for this EP. There are two other producers involved in it too, including Callum Cowie, whom I've been working with for years. He has contributed two tracks to this EP, and there are two other producers as well. I just really enjoy collaborating with others. I have a team that I absolutely love working with, but I also enjoy working with as many people as possible. However, I also have a great deal of respect for my current team, and I plan to continue working with them. You know, loyalty is important to me. 

Awesome! When it comes to recording, do you record at home or in another studio, Mike? The first few records were recorded at my parent's home because I didn't have a recording room at that time. When my parents were away and I wanted to record, I would go into a spare room, pad out all the walls, and record all the rhythm tracks live. This was the way we did it for the first four records. But now, I have my own space, a room where I work.   

Sometimes, I may work in a studio and finish recording on the same day. It really depends, but I'm grateful to have my own space to work in now. It's not a fully equipped studio, but we're working hard on it, and it's amazing. 

Yeah, that's awesome. So, you have traveled the globe touring and doing session work. Who are some of the people you've worked with over the years? I've done a fair bit of touring with Lewis Berry and played piano for him. I've also been on the road with Jalen Ngonda, whom I've known since our university days. Initially, I played bass for Jalen before our paths crossed again, and this time, I supported him on tour while he pursued his solo career. I'm thrilled to see his success. Over the years, we've collaborated on numerous tracks, including "Feeling Lonely" from my second release. Right now, I'm in the studio playing piano for Motel Sundown, an "Americana" band based in Liverpool. They're close friends of mine, and I'm enjoying the session. 

Awesome. Do you and Jalen Ngonda plan to do any projects together in the future? Jalen and I are very close friends, and I'm sure we will always write together. However, finding time to collaborate has been challenging lately. Our schedules are constantly changing, and we are both working on different projects with other people. Despite this, we are close friends, and we will eventually collaborate on a project together. At the moment, we don't have any immediate plans to work together. 

It's truly amazing to have strong and genuine friendships, but it becomes even more incredible when those friendships are with talented individuals who share the same passion as you. That's absolutely fantastic! Now, Mike, as you ascend the ladder of success, what ethical limits have you established for yourself in the industry? In other words, what are the things you would do anything for but draw the line at doing something else? One important thing for me is that I'm not afraid to change my sound while staying true to who I am. I believe that if you lose that authenticity, your music becomes insincere. It's crucial to avoid that at all costs. 

Yeah, absolutely. If you had the opportunity to work with anyone, who would be a dream come true? I would love to meet Stevie Wonder. Just being in the same room as him would be amazing. I would be more than happy to watch and learn while he does his thing. I love all his music, even his early recordings. I really love his song called “Silvia” off his “Down To Earth” record. I can listen to that song forever because it's so beautiful. But, collaborating with him would be a dream come true. 

Silvia is a beautiful song. Your voice would sound amazing covering it. You should consider that possibility. Stevie Wonder is genuinely talented, and I truly admire his work. All good stuff! So, Mike, let's discuss your new single, which I love. I was amazed when I first discovered your music and heard your beautiful voice! My husband, DJ Prone, introduced me to your music as he regularly plays "All I Do" on our radio station, Indie Soul Radio, during the mixed bag show. After hearing you, I knew I had to interview you. Im so glad to hear that. Tell him I said, Thank you for spinning it.  

Absolutely! You have a remarkable gift! It's truly extraordinary! Most of the contemporary tunes don't quite strike a chord with me. Nevertheless, I've been observing a delightful trend lately, where young and talented artists such as yourself are reviving that timeless essence and presenting it to the new generation. I genuinely admire that. With that in mind, let's delve into your captivating track, "All I Do." Let's talk about it. Of course! We wrote and recorded the song in London in just two days. I collaborated with a guy named Jonathan, and surprisingly, it all came together pretty quickly during our first session. However, the next day, the pre-chorus didn't quite feel right lyrically. Eventually, everything fell into place, and it turned out to be a really enjoyable experience. 

Awesome. Is this song part of a larger project? This EP is going to have four tracks. We've got "All I Do" and a recently released one called "Tough Love." "Tough Love" has a more up-tempo one-drop rhythm. "Put Me Through" is a bit faster, and there's also "Rocking My Boat," which is a mid-tempo song. These tracks will be released gradually over the next couple of months until the EP is complete. My goal is to have it released in September. I have a bunch of songs ready to go, and I'm constantly writing new ones. I'm just really excited and looking forward to what's coming next. 

That sounds great! I'm looking forward to hearing your entire collection. Where can people purchase your music, and will it be available on vinyl? The EP that includes the singles "I'd Be Lying" and "In My Arms" was initially released on vinyl and sold out, which is great. We might consider reissuing it on vinyl. The new EP will also be available on vinyl, but for now, it's only on all DSPs (Digital Streaming Platforms) such as Spotify, Instagram, Apple Music, and others. You can find my music on whichever platform suits you best. 

Finally, I would like to ask if you have any valuable advice for newcomers in this industry who are currently trying to find their way. Would you be willing to share a word of wisdom or some guidance with them? You know, I've still got many lessons to learn. I'm learning every day, but I've found that aiming to be as honest and true as you can be is when things start to connect. When you're honest with yourself, others see that honesty, which makes you more approachable.  

It's been an absolute honor and privilege to talk with you. My prayer for you is that the Lord will bless you and the work of your hands, aligning it with His will for your life. I pray that He will keep your family safe during your travels, and may He envelop you in His grace, love, and mercy all the days of your life. I want you to know how proud I am of you and every accomplishment you've made. You are immensely talented, a super awesome person, and have a beautiful, kind heart. I can't wait to see the wonderful things that lie ahead for you. Thank you for being here today; it's truly a blessing to speak with you. Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure meeting you, and I appreciate you taking the time to talk. Thank you for sharing my music as well.  

You're welcome. As always, it's my pleasure. 

The end of the interview

www.mt-jones.com 

 Photos of MT Jones are  courtesy MT Jones by John Johnson -Yetti

All graphic art within and on the cover of The Indie Post Magazine are by: Gina Sedman excluding the actual photos of the artist