Jane Taylor

BBC Radio 2 presenters Johnnie Walker and Bob Harris are real fans. Jane Taylor’s opened for Jools Holland, recorded with Massive Attack guitarist Angelo Bruschini and her album ‘Compass’ won ‘BEST Singer Songwriter ALBUM’ at the Independent Music Awards. She’s also recorded a special session at Maida Vale as part of a BBC show that paid homage to her extraordinary journey as an independent songwriter, and now Jane’s embarking on a UK tour!

Jane’s debut album, ‘Montpelier’ hit BBC Radio 2 when Johnnie Walker decided to play the opening track ‘Fall On Me’ on his show because he liked the look of the cover (a charcoal sketch doodled by Jane) . The listeners gave an overwhelming response, inundating the show with more e-mails and calls than the producer had experienced before, especially for an ‘unknown’. Jane was promptly invited in to Radio 2 to perform a live session with her band, and the session created the beginnings of a national fan base from which she launched her first UK tour.

Johnnie Walker’s support proved to be instrumental in getting her music to more listeners and fans across the UK. From there she got herself a manager, went on to support Jools Holland, Bill Wyman, Seth Lakeman, and Paulo Nutini, and tour with Paul Buchanan and Andy Fairweather Low, secured a distribution deal, landed features on Uncut and Music Week Magazine, and toured the UK and Germany spreading the word and gathering new fans. Again, all as an independent.

Her second album ‘Compass’ was made with Mercury nominated producer Colin Elliot (famous for his work with Richard Hawley). The album featured a full string orchestra, (kindly borrowed from a session with Tony Christie) the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass band (who appeared on the film ‘Brassed Off’), The Richard Hawley Band, and a Bristol Gospel Choir made up entirely of songwriters and singers she’d met along the way. She took the album on a UK tour and kicked it off with a sold out performance (and standing ovation) in Bristol’s St Georges Hall for which she was awarded ‘Best Live Gig in the South West 2011’ by Venue Magazine, promptly followed by a ‘Best Album’ win at the Independent Music Awards.

She was invited by the BBC to record a one off session at Maida Vale as part of a special BBC Introducing Show that paid homage to her achievements as a completely independent songwriter who’s albums and tours have been entirely financed and supported by her fan base.

Jane continues to create music with her band and tour under her own independent label Bicycle Records. She is supported by her dedicated and loyal fan base (who have so far over the years raised over £40,000 to help her promote her work and fund her tours). They have even been known to put up the band on tour and book and promote gigs in their local villages/towns and cities. It’s a relationship that keeps the JT project thriving and one she is hugely grateful for.

‘Without the people who buy my music and support the gigs and concerts I would never have got this far. Being an independent artist, making the kind of music I do, and competing with the more commercial and larger labels can be fiercely overwhelming at times! But then I’ll get an incredible e mail from someone who’s connected with the music or have the most wonderful feedback after a gig and I couldn’t ever think about doing anything else!!’ Jane Taylor

There is something so very real and honest about Jane’s music. She performs from somewhere we all recognise. It’s the sort of music that people will always connect with and I think that’s why we had such an overwhelming response’ – Johnnie Walker BBC Radio