KJP the real MVP

Feeling the lockdown blues? We'd suggest blasting Katy J. Pearson on repeat. With songs like Take Back the Radio to make you dance and Tonight to make you reminisce, KJP's songs are the soundtrack to transcending the confines of your bedroom walls.

Blending honest lyrics and a stripped back-sound with an irresistible twang of country, KJP's music is sure to please. Last week I got to (virtually) sit down with the lovely Katy and talk about her upcoming album, double denim, and most importantly, line dancing.

LB: Can you tell me a bit about how you started out with music and how it’s led you to where you are now?

KJP: I started writing when I was probably 8 or 9, just for fun. I never thought of it as being something that would become my professional job! I kept writing throughout school and then was in my first band with my brother (Ardyn) at about fifteen, which got picked up by a major label. Releasing an EP with them was my first interaction with the music industry – it was totally surreal because I was still at school. I didn’t go to university, so that was my life experience. When that ended I had lost a bit of confidence but was like ‘I still want to do this’, and that’s how KJP came together – just from trying to give it another go. It all worked out for the best!

So, you’re based in Bristol now – how would you describe the music scene?

It’s fantastic! It’s been flourishing over the last few years, and a lot of bands have moved here recently like Idles, Scalping, most of the boys from Squid (who I live with) and Lazarus Kane. There’s a great community and everyone brings something different– there isn’t a certain set sound coming from Bristol, which is what makes it so exciting. My favourite venue here is The Old England Pub – they put on gigs there and I’ve seen some great bands like The Goon Sax. It’s kind of crumbly and falling apart but they have camp fires in the garden which are lovely. I also love The Louisiana which has been going for years.

Your songs are fantastically catchy and relatable – can you tell me a bit about your writing process?

It’s a mixture really. With Hey You and Tonight, they were written retrospectively. The stuff that came out is very personal, but universally relatable – it was a very subconscious reaction to those things but spontaneous. I’ve never really been one to sit down and really write and completely analyse my lyrics. Now that the album’s done, it’s changing a bit and I’m starting to take inspiration from books – it’s ever-growing really.

Do you think the process is cathartic?

Definitely. If you’re a song writer or poet, I don’t think you can deny that some part of it is therapeutic to you as a person. If I’m really stressed or feeling a bit wobbly, writing can alleviate any stress you’re feeling. A lot of the time after writing a song, you realise how you were feeling inside as sometimes it wasn’t on the surface. I think it’s taken me a while for it to feel relaxing and therapeutic. When I was working with a label and there was loads of pressure, I found it quite hard to be so open and honest, but now I have my own stuff I find it a lot easier because no one else is pressuring me.

It seems like you’re largely influenced by western music and style – who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?

I mean there’s so many people – obviously, I love Dolly Parton. I also love Townes Van Zandt. I’ve got a playlist of people I’ve been inspired by – Loretta Lynn is one for sure, and I’ve been listening to loads of Lee Hazelwood and Jerry Jeff Walker too. Growing up I listened to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and James Taylor, so I always had this staple country element to my influences. It didn't become a proper thing until recently when I stripped back my music and it sounded more singer/songwriter-y and honest, which leans more towards country. To be honest though I’ve always dressed in double denim – I think it was always there, I just didn’t put a name on it!

What’s your favourite track to play live?

Tonight – that song has had such a progression, and to see people singing along and dancing is just so fun. I love Poison Cup as well – it’s quite quiet and vulnerable.

Your videos are so beautiful! How did you come up with the ideas for them?

I guess with Hey You, I love Port Meirion where it was filmed – if you haven’t been there, it’s the most beautiful place ever and I highly recommend it. The day we were meant to film was ‘Storm Brendan’ and it was just so cold and windy! With Tonight, I was thinking and thinking of visuals and then just went ‘you know what, I love Devon, it’s quite a country song, let’s do a line dance’ – so it all came together like that. A lot of my friends were like ‘are you sure you want to do that? You can’t line dance’ and I was like ‘Yeah I know.’ …I think the guys filming it thought I’d had professional lessons and I had to slowly burst their bubble and just had to go for it. My friends were there and were just cracking up! I didn’t think I had to practice; I was just being a lazy little shit. I think it adds to the naturalness of it though, I’m not a great dancer at the best of times, so I thought it was quite good to have something slightly unpolished and fun – it didn’t feel forced at all. It was pretty jokes though – there’s one part where it looks like I’m about to fall off the cliff!

Are there any gigs that have stuck with you going forward as a musician?

I grew up in a very small town so there weren’t many gigs happening there. But in the city of Gloucester, I remember when I was like fourteen, seeing The Maccabees and Foals and Everything Everything – that was exciting for someone that hadn’t had the opportunity to see a lot of live music. More recently, I saw Kate Bush at the Hammersmith Apollo – that inspired me. Even as a performer, when you’re doing gigs I think there are some that remind you why you do it.

Photo credit: Olivia Clapp

Who are you listening to and what are you doing to stay sane in quarantine?

One thing that’s really resonated with me is that when you’re trying to achieve something, obviously it’s great, but it can be detrimental – I work the best when I’m busy. I’m reading a lot and as a flat we’re trying to find old series on Netflix & watch an episode every Monday just so we have a routine. We’ve also got a little decking outside so I’ve been sitting in the sun, trying to keep calm and surrendering to it. I also think it’s very hard to write about an experience when you’re in it, but I’m sure once I get busy again and have limited time I’ll be able to hark back and everything that came with that time will come out in my song writing. That’s what my friend said – “Absorb it all and then spit it out into a song later!”

Looking to the future, you’ve just had a big night out post-quarantine and are relishing your freedom. What are you listening to on your Last Bus Home?

That is SUCH a good question! I reckon it would be Townes Van Zandt’s Fare Thee Well Miss Carousel. It’s such a beautiful song and fills me with sadness, but also bittersweet joy – all the feelings you feel when you’re a bit drunk on the last bus home and looking out of the window thinking you’re in a movie!

If Katy’s existing releases are anything to go by, September is a month we can definitely look forward to.

The latest track, Take Back The Radio, was released a week ago and is available to stream here.

Follow KJP on instagram here.