Chelsey Harvison

Jack Ladder

Only having been introduced to JACK LADDER a few days before, I was relieved to hear such a unique voice playing from the speakers. After this I got an opportunity I never thought would happen and that was to interview the one and only Mr Ladder himself. After fumbling around with dialling the number and waiting nervously for someone to answer I was relieved to hear such a calm and relaxed voice at the other end. Feeling good about his first tour starting at the end of June, I am told that a lot of rehearsing has been going on to prepare Jack and band for the tour. Also being able to travel to a lot of places he has not been to before makes the tour that more exciting.

Influences are always a big part of any musician's life, so I asked Jack about his. "Influences," he pondered. "People... yeah, some are good and some are bad. Travel is good because you get to see lots of interesting things and the reward is returning home at the end. Cooking, because it's very therapeutic." A roast was mentioned at some point, also "movies and music."

People are always going to have others giving them advice whether they want to hear it or not so I was interested to hear what sort of advice had been sent Jack's way. Someone said to him once "you have a great speaking voice but I don't think you will ever sing." I was quite surprised to hear this, as you can imagine if you have ever heard Jack sing. Other advice given was the classic "agree with your mother" and "it is what it is."

Moving on, I was interested in hearing whether or not Jack thought a lot of young musicians were pressured into succeeding now more than, say, a few years ago. With a simple response of "no" I was interested to find out why. "People have their own measure of success and success is a very personal thing," he mused. His answer to my next question, however, put a huge smile on my face. I had asked which musician, living or dead, he would like to perform with and straight away, without hesitation, he said "Little Richard."

"2010 sounds terrifying," Jack responded when asked about next year and what it holds in store for him. "It's the future." Cyborgs were mentioned along with electro music.  Even though halfway through the interview I admitted I was nervous and said "sorry" at least a million times, I had no reason to at all. Jack Ladder couldn't have been more of a pleasure to interview. With his tour about to begin I'm sure we will all be lining up to listen to that incredible voice.

Jack will be gracing the intimate stage at the Front Café and Gallery in Lyneham on Saturday July 11.