Jamie Lawson

Jamie Lawson

Jamie Lawson is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Plymouth, United Kingdom. Born in 1975 in St Budeaux, he grows up in Plymouth and begins making music in a non-musical household. He becomes the first artist signed to Ed Sheeran’s Gingerbread Man Records.

Early life and influences

Lawson’s early listening is shaped by his older brother, who introduces him to The Smiths, The Housemartins and the Jackson 5. He describes these artists as important to his own interest in melody and vocal style. He receives his first guitar at the age of eight and joins his first band during secondary school. That group mainly plays covers, including songs by R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jimi Hendrix.

He starts writing his own songs in his teens, and says that his first attempts are poor before he develops material he feels is strong. His own singing voice takes time to emerge, after an early period of sounding like Michael Stipe.

Career

Lawson studies at art college for a short time but decides to pursue music after a conversation with a counsellor. He later lives and works in Dublin, Cornwall and London as his writing and performance style develop. He plays regular live dates and performs with artists including The Frames, Martha Wainwright and Damien Rice. He also opens outdoor shows for Van Morrison and Katie Melua.

His live performances take place in both small venues and large outdoor settings, and he is known for an expressive voice and for drawing audiences into the mood of his songs.

Recorded work

Lawson is best known for the single “Wasn’t Expecting That” and for his self-titled album, which reaches number one on the UK Albums Chart in 2015. His music is associated with singer-songwriter and folk styles.

Influences

Among the performers he names as a major influence is American Music Club’s Mark Eitzel, whose performance style he admires for its physical intensity. Lawson contrasts that with his own voice, which he describes as sweeter and more pure.