Jack Savoretti

Jack Savoretti is a singer-songwriter from Westminster, London. He is known for acoustic-leaning, folk and rock-influenced songwriting, and his voice and melodic style are central to his recordings.

Background

He is the son of a Polish-German model and an Italian actor. His mother’s family has a Holocaust survival history, and his father leaves home because of terrorist death threats. Savoretti grows up in London, Italy and Switzerland. He initially plans to become a footballer, then considers studying film in California after seeing The Graduate at 16 and hearing the Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack.

His plan to move to California changes abruptly after he leaves home on 11 September 2001. He wakes on a flight over the Atlantic as news of the attacks reaches the plane, and his journey ends in Geneva rather than the United States. When he later gets to Los Angeles, he finds the city in shock but becomes drawn to its music.

Early recordings and first albums

Encouraged by his mother, who knows Hendrix and the Rolling Stones from her modelling years, he takes up the guitar and begins setting his school poetry to music. This leads to his debut album, Between the Minds, which introduces his husky voice and songwriting for memorable choruses. The record receives attention from BBC Radio 2, and he tours Europe with Corinne Bailey Rae, ending with a performance at Hammersmith Apollo in front of 9,000 people.

His second album, Harder than Easy, follows, but he changes labels and finds it difficult to reach a wider audience at that stage. He spends years playing live shows and building a fan base through regular gigging.

Before the Storm and later direction

After leaving his former label and management, Savoretti becomes disillusioned with the music industry and considers giving up music. At the time he has two albums behind him, has recently married, has a child on the way, and has not written songs for months. A new song, “Knock Knock,” reopens his interest in recording and leads to Before the Storm, his third album.

Before the Storm contains 13 self-written songs and is recorded in four days at KensalTown Studios in spring 2012, close to his home. It is produced by Martin Terefe and The Suppliers, the Scandinavian collective associated with hits for artists including James Morrison and Jason Mraz. Savoretti describes the record as a fresh start and says it draws more directly on personal experience than his first two albums, which he sees as more imagined.

The album’s songs focus on a turbulent relationship and the tension between freedom and settling down. They range from fast and slow numbers, with both sad and upbeat material, and address nights out as well as darker emotional themes. Across the record, he emphasises honest lyrics and strong, catchy tunes.

Style

Savoretti is associated with alternative rock, folk, indie rock and singer-songwriter music. His work is often described through his acoustic approach, reflective writing and distinctive voice.