Jay Diggins

Jay Diggins (born 17 September 1974) is an English singer-songwriter. He is best known for his work with John Parish[1] and for turning down an opportunity to appear on the hit BBC One show The Voice.[2]

Jay Diggins
Diggins performing in August 2014
Background information
Born (1974-09-17) 17 September 1974
Newark, Nottinghamshire, England
OriginLancaster, Lancashire, England
GenresAlternative rock, folk rock, art rock
Occupation(s)Singer songwriter, musician, producer
InstrumentsVoice, guitar, harmonica, bass, drums, organ, percussion
Years active2011–present
LabelsDitto Music, Wyre Bank Records
Websitejaydiggins.com

Early life

Diggins' early years were spent in the West Country where he learnt to play the guitar. He attended The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, Dorset and later attended Yeovil College.

Career
Diggins playing a 12-string acoustic guitar

He was taught how to perform in a band, by well-known music producer John Parish, in Yeovil, Somerset.[3] He then spent two years learning how to record rock music at Parish's studios along with well-known English musician PJ Harvey.[4] He won a place on the world's first Popular Music Sound Recording course at Salford University. More than 200 times over-subscribed, the course was tutored by record producer Bill Leader.[5] In 2011, he designed and built Wyrebank Studios.

In May 2013 he recorded "Fall From Grace" and "Ain't No", with John Parish at Toybox Studios in Bristol. The recordings were published online and this led to his music being discovered by BBC programme The Voice. Diggins turned down an offer to appear on the show, however.[2]

The two tracks received critical acclaim, with independent radio play and numerous full page reviews in the Lancaster Guardian, Garstang Courier, Lancashire Evening Post. Diggins was special guest and performed a live acoustic set on 94.4 Salford City Radio,[6] before performing on the UK festival circuit.[7]

Diggins' debut album Searching was released on 20 September 2013, with a sold-out album launch at the Grand Theatre, Lancaster.[8] The album was recorded at two separate studios: at ToyBox Studios in Bristol, in May 2013, for the tracks "Fall From Grace" and "Ain't No", featuring Diggins with John Parish[1] and at Wyrebank Studios for tracks "At Your Expense" and "She Longs for Yesterday", on which Diggins played a prototype Vox Continental organ, the only one known to be still in existence. Diggins used the same Vistalite Drums kit, that Michael Lee had used for the Jimmy Page and Robert Plant reunion tour. The album mastering was by John Dent and Jason Mitchell, who are noted for their work with Bob Marley.[8] Reviewing the album for The Lancaster Guardian, Nick Lakin said, "It is an album greater than the sum of its parts, a rare find these days, and it's perhaps a shame that some of the tracks didn't last longer... Either way it is an accomplished piece of work, with a lot of depth and high production value, the drums, for me, standing out in particular."[9]

In 2014 Diggins returned to the Grand Theatre, Lancaster, and also performed at some large theatres supporting The Beautiful South at the Lyceum Theatre in Crewe and with Bruce Foxton's From The Jam at Buxton Opera House.[10]

During 2015, Diggins toured the UK with Mark Morriss of The Bluetones.[11][12][13]

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References
  1. Lakin, Nick. "If you fall from grace...", Lancaster Guardian, Lancaster, 14 June 2013.
  2. Plunkett, Sue. "Meet the Scorton based singer/songwriter who turned down Jessie J!", Lancashire Evening Post, Preston, 30 August 2013.
  3. Lakin, Nick. "Two bands, one heart", Lancaster Guardian, Lancaster, 18 April 2013.
  4. Plunkett, Sue. "Debut Album and Tour for Scorton Singer", Garstang Courier, Preston, 1 September 2013.
  5. Plunkett, Sue. "Salford University Course 200 Times Oversubscribed", Garstang Courier, Preston, 1 September 2013.
  6. Salford City Radio. "The Joel Pantry Show", Salford City Radio, Gtr Manchester, 19 June 2013.
  7. Lakin, Nick. "Halton Festival", Lancashire Evening Post, Preston, 8 August 2013.
  8. Lakin, Nick. "Halton Festival"Band's Debut Album Launch Makes For A Grand Affair", Lancaster Guardian, Lancaster, 12 September 2013.
  9. Nick Lakin (31 October 2013). "Album review: Jay Diggins – Searching". Lancaster Guardian. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  10. Lakin, Nick. "Big Shows On The Way", Lancaster Guardian, Lancaster, 19 June 2014.
  11. Lakin, Nick. "Former Bluetones frontman joins Jay for special Grand gig", Lancaster Guardian, Lancaster, 27 November 2014
  12. Lakin, Nick. "jay makes his mark with bluetone mark", Lancashire Evening Post, Lancaster, 23 January 2015
  13. Kirby, Daniel. "The Bluetones – The Ritz, Manchester", Gig Soup, Manchester, 9 October 2015

External References
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