Interview: Jerry Williams is on cloud nine
Jerry Williams was one of the highlights of this year’s Great Escape in Brighton. Our editor Bobby Townsend has a chat with her about the festival, about being BBC Radio 1’s Track of the Week and about what comes next:
Hey Jerry! I really enjoyed your set in Jubilee Square at The Great Escape in Brighton. How was the gig for you?
Thank you! It was honestly one of the most enjoyable gigs I’ve ever played. The atmosphere was amazing, the sun was out, I had an amazing crowd. It was one of my gig highlights, I think.
Did you enjoy The Great Escape in general? Did you catch any good acts that we should know about?
I love the whole vibe of TGE. Unfortunately I didn’t have any time to catch any other bands as I was running around, but I caught Michael Baker who is an UNBELIEVABLE singer songwriter. He played before me.
Your single “I’m Not in Love With You” was recently selected as BBC Radio 1’s Track of the Week. That must have been a crazy week for you…
It definitely was. It was so dreamy, I was on cloud nine! You work so hard on your music and it’s the best feeling when it gets that chance to showcase itself.
When did you first start playing music and what/who inspired you to first pick up a guitar?
When I was younger, I thought Avril Lavigne was so cool, so that’s where my interest in guitar started. I learned classical guitar first, so I can read sheet music etc, but I’ve been writing songs since the age of 12.
What does music give you that nothing else does?
That chance to release feelings and process thoughts. I find that when I feel the most extreme emotions is when I write the most songs.
What are your plans for the rest of the year? More festivals/live shows? Is there an album or an EP on the horizon?
I’m going to be working on my debut album and keep playing shows. I can’t wait to play V Festival and in my hometown of Portsmouth, at Victorious Festival.
What do you like to do with your time when you aren’t writing/playing music?
I like seeing my friends, bike rides, going for drives along the beach.
Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you…
I was Head Girl at my school.
What are you going to do now that you’ve finished this interview?
I’m gonna go and make myself something to eat because I am hunnnngry!!
Keep up to date with Jerry on Facebook. Find out more about V Festival here and Victorious Festival here. You can already book tickets to next year’s Great Escape Festival in Brighton here.
Interview and Great Escape photo by Bobby Townsend.
