The Voluntary Butler Scheme

The Voluntary Butler Scheme

The Voluntary Butler Scheme is the solo project of Rob Jones, a musician from Stourbridge, United Kingdom. Born in 1985, he begins the project after spending time playing drums for a number of bands and working as a jobbing musician in the Birmingham area. When a solo performance opportunity comes up, he writes a set of songs for it and then turns to writing his own material more seriously.

Style and early recordings

The project centres on pop songs with a classic feel, using homemade instrumentation and a lo-fi, individual approach. Jones records and performs with guitars, keyboards, kick drum and loop pedals, and the songs often draw on everyday details and playful references. One example is Trading Things In, which combines layered harmonies, romantic themes and references to items and songs from popular music.

Live line-up

Initially, The Voluntary Butler Scheme functions as a one-man band. Jones later tours as a three-piece to support songs that need more than one performer, with Damo on drums and John on keys.

Associated artists

Jones tours with acts including The Duke Special and Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong, using those shows to develop the project’s live approach.