artist-spotlight-jamie-rafferty

What’s the story behind your latest release ‘So I Can Let Her Go?’

I wrote it in Nashville on my first trip there. I felt inspired by all of the amazing music that’s come from that city. I like to think of this song as the opposite of Jolene by Dolly Parton, Dolly was begging  Jolene not to take her man but this song was someone begging someone else to take their woman away from them so they can begin to move on, it felt like a nice nod to my first time recording in Nashville. 

Are there any artists that inspire your music/songwriting? Who and Why?

I always say my main inspirations are Bruce Springsteen, Noel Gallagher and John Mayer. I think at the root of all of their songwriting is storytelling. It’s always a hard question to answer as I feel some of my inspirations can be very apparent whereas others not so much but they still inspire me greatly. Someone like Paul McCartney always inspires me with the way he writes melodies so easily for example. 

What is your favourite gig you’ve ever attended? 

I've been lucky enough to see those 3 artists multiple times. I seen Oasis last year and don’t think anything will ever really come close to what that was. 

You’ve played some pretty iconic stages already from King Tut’s to Barrowland - is there a dream venue to play that you’ve still not ticked off the list? 

I always loved going to the O2 Academy growing up when I first started going to gigs. Hopefully that can be ticked off at some point. 

You’re heading out on your first headline tour this September, what can we expect from the Glasgow show?

I think people should expect quite an intimate vibe, stripped back but not simply acoustic. I’m looking forward to be joined onstage with some friends, my MD and friend from Nashville is joining to add some Nashville to the night. I really want to show the songs as how they were written and hopefully connect with the audience slightly differently than the recordings .