YOUNG Scottish singer songwriter Jonny Jack is a star in the making. His gutsy, soulful vocals are showcased are his new EP ‘Skin to the Bone’ and he’s playing his first Dunfermline gig later this month.

He has already impressed the NME who described him as, ‘One of the most instantly recognizable and unforgettable soulful voices in a long time’.

His single ‘Renée’, a catchy pop number, was launched with a sold out gig at Glasgow’s King Tut’s and released on New Year’s Day in aid of Shelter Scotland.

Jonny (22) from Rutherglen first got involved in music through his older brothers Paul and Michael who were in the rock band Jericho Bay.

Jonny told the Press, “We’re in the middle of a Scottish tour just now. We’ve done Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness just there which was a crazy time.

“We’re really enjoying it just now. It’s going really well. We don’t have any expectations, just seeing what happens. It’s all very exciting at the moment.

“I started playing when I was 14. It was through school to begin with and my big brothers played guitars so I learned from them.

“As soon as I learned a couple of chords I started writing my own stuff. I just really found it fun.

“My brothers are on guitar and bass. They write songs as well and it’s really good to have them on board.” Invited to London by a record label impressed by a remix of his powerful 2011 debut single ‘Wide Open’, Jonny soon found himself signing his first publishing deal with Three Six Zero.

“They had seen one of my songs that I’d put up on YouTube a few years and they really liked it,” said Jonny.

“They got in touch to say they wanted to do some remixes of the song in a DJ challenge competition. I got a lot of exposure from that which I wasn’t expecting. They had just randomly spotted it.

“There’s a lot of very good bands out there trying to make it. It’s hard to try and make yourself a bit different.

“People say it must be difficult trying to make yourself stand out but I just do it for me really. If you don’t get any happiness out it for yourself you’re on to a loser. That’s what I’m doing just now and if people like it that’s a bonus.

“I started writing songs when I was 15. Just daft wee songs that merged into more serious things.

“Like everybody else I’ve been through a lot more now than when I was 15. It helps with the songs but I don’t know about everything else.” What’s his favourite part of his life in music, writings songs or performing?

“I love both but my favourite would be out playing to live crowds. That’s where the magic is for me.

“You meet people you’d never dream of meeting in your life. You end up in situations you’d never dream of. All the live in the moment stuff. I love that.” The positive comments and review are “something we never expected but it’s very much welcomed”.

His favourite gig so far was in the Troubador London last year. “It’s somewhere people like John Martyn, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan all played there back in the day. It’s all up on the wall when you walk in so it’s quite intimidating but it was a good night.” Jonny became a fan of the late folk/rock guitarist John Martyn and other legends from way when by rummaging through his mum’s record collection.

“I love John Martyn, an absolute maverick, an untamed performer. I like characters like him and Neil Young. When you get to a certain age you come to appreciate what it is these guys are writing about.” Of his own career Jonny added, “I’m ambitious but it’s not the final destination I’m looking at. I’m just looking to be the best that I can be at the moment.

“We’re focussing on Scotland at the moment and playing as many gigs as we can here and trying to get a lot of festivals for the summer. We don’t set targets too far away in advance.” One target Jonny has set is landing a spot at T in the Park and maybe even this summer.

“There’s still time and that would be a pinnacle if it happens this year. It would be great.” Jonny, who is already working in the studio on a second EP, will be supporting The View at a This Feeling club night at Record Factory, Glasgow on Saturday, before coming to PJ Molloys at a Voice of Scotland Showcase.

* Jonny plays PJ Molloys on Saturday 19th April.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deP90qfvQh4