Jay Leighton

Jay Leighton

Jay Leighton is a singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom. He writes and plays music, and his work sits in piano rock, pop rock and soft rock, with an association to Strata.

Early musical background

He starts playing and writing songs in his early teens. After seeing Nirvana perform on television, he decides he wants to play guitar and begins forming bands, recording songs and playing live.

Island Records and the break from music

One of his bands signs to Island Records, but it does not make a breakthrough and eventually splits up. The setback leads Leighton to consider leaving music altogether. He sells all but one of his guitars and stops listening to or playing music for a time.

Return to songwriting

His return comes after watching a documentary about Nick Drake, whom he has long admired. Soon after, he picks up his guitar again and spends a month writing and recording new material in his attic.

Debut solo album

He sends the songs to Greg Haver, a friend who helps by adding string parts and mixing the recordings. The sessions result in his debut solo album, Polaroids and Stills.