Introducing…. John Blaylock
Manchester-born singer-songwriter John Blaylock has been making waves with his dynamic blend of classic influences and modern energy. Fresh off a tour supporting Wet Wet Wet and gearing up for his latest single launch, he’s got plenty to talk about. We caught up with him to chat about his musical roots, inspirations, and why a broken-down tour bus led to one of his most memorable nights.
Click Roll Boom: Hey John, how are you?
John Blaylock: I’m very well thank you, just got back from 2 weeks on the road supporting Wet Wet Wet and have my single launch tomorrow so it’s a pretty busy time but it’s going well.
CRB: Tell me about how you got started in music?
JB: I was lucky enough to grow up in Manchester in the 90s. Playing football and playing guitar were just something that we all did back then.
CRB: How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved since you first started? Have you been involved in previous bands prior to this solo project?
JB: I grew up listening to Manchester music like The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, Oasis, Inspiral Carpets. At home my dad got me into Bob Dylan / Simon + Garfunkel. I’d say my music is a mix of all of these. I used to play in a band but we got screwed up by a record label and so I’ve been solo ever since.
CRB: Who or what have been some of your biggest influences, musically and beyond?
JB: Musically the people above, but in life I’m inspired by people that work hard and get things done to help others. I was once asked to write a song for Nelson Mandela (by Desmond Tutu), he’s a pretty inspirational character.
CRB: Tell us about your new single ‘Life By The Gram’?
JB: It’s a banger! Big production, great tune and features a gospel choir so it’s all going off!
CRB: How do you approach experimenting with new sounds or ideas when creating music?
JB: I don’t really, I make music on an acoustic guitar or piano. I experiment a lot with melodies, chords and lyrical concepts. I leave all the interesting sounds to the producers.
CRB: What’s been one of the most memorable moments in your journey so far?
JB: After the last gig with Wet Wet Wet, the bus broke down as we tried to leave the venue. We seized the opportunity for a night out and all went to a nightclub in Dundee till 3am, then got the call to say the bus was fixed. Great timing!
CRB: How do you prepare for live shows, and what do you aim to bring to your performances?
JB: I just do a 10 min vocal warm-up then I’m good to go. I aim to bring authenticity, good performances and hopefully a good bit of banter.
CRB: How do you balance creative expression with staying connected to your audience?
JB: I guess I’m lucky that my creative expression seems to connect well with my audience, so it’s not something I think about.
CRB: What do you hope listeners take away from your work?
JB: I hope they go away as a fan because I need a lot of them to really break through as an artist.
CRB: What does the future hold for you – any plans or goals you’re excited about?
JB: 5 singles this year plus the album. We’re gonna have a hit record and we’re gonna win the Mercury Music Prize in 2026, so it’s a really exciting time.
