Having released a series of three Eps on his own label Allotment Recordings over the last two years, Jamie has now completed his breathtaking debut album, ‘Last Night Stars’, to be released in Ireland on 16th April 2004 through RMG-Chart. “Making this album was not at all how I expected it to be,” he says. “I thought it would be a lot easier, but the main problem for me was trusting my instincts and letting things happen for themselves, trying to find the feel of a song and letting that breathe even if it’s not technically perfect. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been put into these recordings. And a lot of love.”

These songs are straight from the heart, sung in Lawson’s distinctive, lilting voice: twisting and turning delicately on a note like a gentler, quieter Ron Sexsmith one moment, carrying a beautifully emotive cargo of meaning and tenderness like a folkier Adam Duritz the next. Sturrock’s and Lawson’s beautiful arrangements – of cello, glockenspiel, mandolin, accordion and piano – encircle these songs with the most exquisite of care. The beauty, simplicity and honesty of these songs emerge naturally and the intimacy and special-ness of recording in such a small, comfortable place, with a trusted friend, is absolutely palpable.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY.

"Passionate, intimate, emotional and intense.a star of the future without a doubt." (Get Rhythm)
"Heartfelt and achingly pretty songs of love and loss.it is hard to look away."
(Sorted Magazine)

Strong melodies, compelling delivery and a breath-taking voice have won Jamie Lawson both critical acclaim and a loyal following since his move to London from his native Plymouth.

Following a stint studying photography at Art College, Jamie turned his attention full-time to music. ‘When I picked up a guitar, it was like breathing out, a sigh of relief,’ he says. The move to London came soon after, with solo gigs at the 12 Bar and the Kashmir Klub leading to support slots in London and in Ireland for artists such as Thea Gilmore, Damian Rice, The Frames, Jackie Leven, Mundy, The 4 Of Us and Bellx1, and a performance at the Royal Festival Hall.

"Making this album was not at all how I expected it to be," says Plymouth-born singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson of his quietly breathtaking debut, Last Night Stars. "I thought it would be a lot easier, but the main problem for me was trusting my instincts and letting things happen for themselves, trying to find the feel of a song and letting that breathe even if it's not technically perfect. "A lot of blood, sweat and tears has been put into these recordings. And a lot of love."

Last Night Stars was recorded between November 2002 and July 2003 in the tiny home studio of Lawson's friend and producer, Patrick Sturrock, in Crouch End, London. These songs are straight from the heart, sung in Lawson's distinctive, lilting voice: twisting and turning delicately on a note like a gentler, quieter Ron Sexsmith one moment, carrying a beautifully emotive cargo of meaning and tenderness like a folkier Adam Duritz the next. Sturrock's and Lawson's beautiful arrangements - of cello, glockenspiel, mandolin, accordion and piano - encircle these songs with the most exquisite of care. The intimacy and special-ness of recording in such a small, comfortable place, with a trusted friend, is absolutely palpable.

Unsurprisingly, each of these recordings comes with its own story: the common theme, seemingly, being one of letting the beauty and honesty of the songs emerge naturally. Says Jamie:

"I must have tried recording 'Union St' 20 times. I tried bassoons and oboes, samples and drum loops, strings and all sorts, but it always came back to the very first take, with the first guitar and first vocal done live as a guide. For some reason it wouldn't let me go.

'Brave' came about after a gig I'd done at The Dublin Castle in London with my old band, Haiku. Haiku were very much a rock/grunge band that loved to play loud with complicated key changes and me shouting a lot. I'd been getting so tired from doing this basically draining experience that after this particular gig I left as soon as I could, got home and started playing the easiest, simplest chords I knew. And 'Brave' was what came out.

"'Wheat For Billie' was written, funnily enough, after watching Billie Piper look miserable on a TV show. It made me happy - not because she was miserable, but because she couldn't fake happiness, and being a teen pop star, you're supposed to. I respected her for that. Happiness, of all things, should not be faked."

Last Night Stars is released on February 6th 2004 through Allotment Recordings and tour dates will be announced shortly.

SEE JAMIE LAWSON THROUGHOUT IRELAND SUPPORTING STEWART AGNEW

Stewart Agnew May/June Tour

MAY:
Sat 15th Arthurs Live Lounge, Armagh
Sun 16th Auntie Annies, Belfast
Tues 18th Corrigans Kitchen, Castleblaney
Wed 19th The Moving Stairs, Roscommon
Sun 23rd Rostrevor Writers Collective Night (Down)
Mon 24th Roisin Dubh ?
Tues 25th The Ruby Sessions, Dublin
Wed 26th The Lobby Bar, Cork
Thu 27th The Lodge, Cork
Fri 28th Cleeres, Kilkenny
Sat 29th Dolans Warehouse, Limerick

JUNE:
Fri 4th The Spirit Store, Dundalk
Sat 5th The Spirit Store, Dundalk
Sat 12th The Forum, Waterford
Fri 25th Sirius Arts Centre, Cork