What is your name?
My name is Jack Spooner, but I make music under Nory-J. I also session with Charlie Whitham (Bass), Keiron Bartlett (Drums) and Guy Courtie (Production, Keyboard, Backing vocals).
What is your genre of music?
Whilst I can easily fit into several sub genres such as Singer/Songwriter, Synth Pop or DIY Music, I tend to describe my sound using Indie Pop influences and my aim is to feature on the Indie Pop/ Bedroom pop Spotify playlists! My Music is defined by Jazz Harmony, Poetic and mostly indirect lyrics with some thoughtful guitar composition and interesting bass movement!
Give us a little bio about you.
Nory-J is the indie pop pseudonym of British phenomenon Jack Spooner. Band turned solo croc pot, his artistry has found itself with BBC Radio Solent, international reviewers and throughout NEXT and Marks and Spencer stores across the UK. His debut and sophomore singles Tough Cookie and Fish Like Me amassed over 3000 views, plays and streams across social media as well as placing Spooner firmly on BBC Introducing and Co-op Radio across Great Britain.
If J- pop and Jazz conceived a musical mishap whilst listening to Gus Dapperton, Easy Life and Summer Salt. you’ll have yourself some energetic and quintessentially British Nory-J numbers!
Batteries not included. May contain nuts.
What made you go into music?
I grew up playing in school and local Jazz/Big Bands and studied Music at GCSE and Advanced level. I completed my Commercial Degree at Bath Spa University where I learnt to write songs, make music videos and produce music!
Who are your influences?
I’m mainly influenced by both local musicians and the bedroom/indie/dream pop music scenes. They form the majority of my creative sparks as it were, but whenever I write myself into a corner, listening to some old school Jazz usually sorts me out! Artist wise, locals like Freddie Lewis, Luna Lake and Gully are people I listen to a lot and enjoy how their brains work, but on a wider scale, Gus Dapperton, Vansire and Dayglow are probably more accurate choices!
Are you signed?
Unfortunately, NOT!
Your set to release your new single ‘fairydust’, tell us more about the single
With an instrumental groove like nothing I’ve ever created, fairy dust explores my anxiety driven experiences before the pandemic as a musical homage to both the 80’s Dance music and Hip-Hop Eras, whilst remaining within my scope of indie pop. I wrote the song in the first COVID wave at a time of heartbreak, social anxiety and fear of the virus as an immunosuppressed student and I hope my crave for a new start comes across in my two and a half minutes of catchy melodic pop sweetness!
Describe the track in two words:
Groove, Upbeat
Who did I work with on the single?
Like all my music so far, I only worked with one other person on the final product. I recorded the guitars, vocals and Bass myself and then my trusty friend Guy Courtie (who also releases music!) records drums, does string/ synth arrangements and produces it. We split everything 50/50! I also do the music video editing and album art by myself too!
What was the writing and recording process like?
It was actually a lockdown 1 tune. I wrote it in 2020 but re- recorded everything last month. The guitar and bass parts are so complex and singing over the top of them was just a huge laugh. The rap took a while too. I’d never call myself a rapper in the slightest but when you have a groove like that, how could I resist!
Pre Save it here
Will we see a music video for ‘Fairy Dust’?
Absolutely! I don’t know when, but I really enjoy the music video side of things. I never take myself too seriously, I’m very spontaneous with the planning on it and I’m very self-aware when the camera’s rolling. I’ll wave awkwardly at passers-by, and I’ll happily involve spectators in the video too! Should be within the next month certainly!
Will we see an EP or an album and if so, what can we expect and when can we expect it?
I have an EP coming out! it’s title shall remain anonymous as of now but I’m super proud of it. Every song is different, there’s an underlying ‘Anxious Anthem’ kind of theme to it and I’m truly truly proud of each song’s journey. It’ll be released VERY shortly after this single!!
What else can we expect in 2022?
Gigs. Plenty of gigs. My first collaboration on a song, Plenty of singles and hopefully a Spotify playlist/ BBC radio play or two!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I’d really like to have a larger fanbase around the country. The sort of supporters who make an event out of going to my shows or listening to my music. I think that’d be proper swell 🙂 But I am also going into teaching so I’m not expecting a full-time artist outcome!
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you can’t forget?
Big crowd moments are a must for me. Singing with the audience is mega fun. I love the instrumental sections where I can move away from the mic with my guitar and get into the music more easily. I enjoy the dramatic intros to the songs and the overdone ends and the stupid banter that goes on during the event. I have some stories, but I’ll save them for another day
Do you have social media accounts?
I’m across Facebook, instagram, twitter, TikTok and more! people are welcome to go and say hi!
