Jon Allen is a UK folk-rock singer-songwriter from Winchester and based in London. Born in 1977, he first plays in school bands as a drummer before briefly taking the lead vocal role, which leads him to focus on singing and songwriting.

Early life and training

Allen studies songwriting at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts in Liverpool. He later says the course helps him become a more disciplined writer. After graduating, he moves to London after one of his demos receives a five-star review in Making Music, and management offers in the city follow.

Recording career

His debut album, Dead Man's Suit, appears in 2009 on Monologue Records. The album includes the singles “In Your Light”, “Dead Man’s Suit”, “When the Morning Comes” and “Down by the River”. His second album, Sweet Defeat, follows in 2011 on Monologue Records, and its first single, “Joanna”, is playlisted on BBC Radio 2. The album is also issued in the United States through OK! Good Records.

Notable songs and live work

Allen is best known for “In Your Light” and “Going Home”. “Going Home” is used in a worldwide Land Rover advert, and he sells more than 20,000 downloads of the song through his website. Since moving to London, he shares stages with Emmylou Harris, Mark Knopfler, KT Tunstall and Jose Gonzalez.

Style and career development

His work is identified as folk rock, and he builds a following in the UK through live performances and online sales.