As part of Kettle's student life series, music editor Lorna Holland interviewed a selection of up-and-coming bands and artists about their student days and how the student years shaped their music. For the first in the series, she chatted to the indie Bolton four-piece Jordan Allen.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a 22-year-old former social reject who went to Wetherspoons one day and found the meaning of life. I do play some music as well.
Where did you go to university?
I grew up in a little town called Westhoughton in Bolton, but I went to uni at Leeds Met (Well it's called Leeds Beckett now, how dry is that?)
What was your experience of university like?
I went to a private school in Bolton that kind of cut me off from the real world. It was only when I went to college and uni and started writing that I started to cope with the social aspects of life at all. Before that I was a bit of a hermit. (I did play in goal for Wigan Athletic for a few years, though!)
Tell us your fondest memory of your student days.
Probably playing Live at Leeds Festival, which was the really decent festival I got in front of all my mates was pretty cool, I also supported Cosmo Jarvis at the Cockpit which has now closed down… RIP Cockpit Leeds.
Did you study music?
No, I was never allowed to study music as I couldn't play guitar in Year 9. I'm actually marketing graduate (which is incredibly helpful in the modern music industry.) So I learnt outside of school like the rebel I am. Down with the system yo.
Did university help to shape your music career in any way?
Definitely. I was so naive to the world when I went to college, all my songs are about mistakes I've made, girls I messed it up with and how I've changed as a result. I'd say it had a huge impact.
In your opinion, is it better to study music or focus on getting practical experience?
The only Quavers I know are cheese flavoured or sometimes prawn cocktail if you're lucky. Practical experience is 99% of it for me. An audience will teach you things a book never can.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians or young people thinking about studying music?
If you wanna be rich, be a footballer, but if you want to have the best job in the world, become a musician.
Where can our readers go to find out more about you and your music?
What do you think? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments below!
