During our conversation, Jack Savoretti sits on a Bristol-bound train; rather fitting considering this songwriter reckons his music is best heard when travelling. Movement is a big aspect of Jack’s life. Son of Italian parents, Jack grew up in Switzerland, attended an international school but calls London home. He struck gold when asked by Corinne Bailey Rae personally to tour with her – before this he had never played to more than twenty people in a pub. Supporting the “humble, professional, divine” Corinne launched Savoretti into the public sphere and now he has a substantial following. Written in Scars, his recent studio release, is largely autobiographical and yet extremely spontaneous. Each of the songs was written on the day of recording, offering a fresh approach to a production process that is all too often interfered and tampered with.
Always fascinated by “capturing the moment”, Jack started writing poems as a teen before setting them to music (inspired by the likes of Paul Simon). I remark that he must be very self-assured to sing so candidly about his life, but he tells me it is only the music that permits this: he would not be able to recite a monologue on stage, for example. It is through harmony that the audience absorbsand reflects his personal performance.
The people who supported him on Written in Scars also work for Adele, prompting me to ask Jack whether he similarly will cease to be inspired when life smoothes itself out. “My life isn’t nearly as perfect as Adele’s,” says Savoretti, revealing that he likes its “imperfections”. Yet Jack is able to write just as passionately when things go well. He has often been compared to Paolo Nutini which he take as a compliment – “I love Paolo!” – but he thinks it’s just down to their shared Anglo-Italian status. Jack’s madre was on the Sixties London scene, rubbing shoulders with Marvin Gaye and Jimi Hendrix. With such a cool mother, it’s unsurprising Jack took the musical path. He did, however, study film for a time and his fascination with soundtracks and the relationship between film and music more generally landed him the rare job of composing a song for a movie figure; Jack was given three hours to compose a piece for a character in the film Post Grad.
Writing for a deadline appears something of a forte of his. Raw, folksy, genuine: check out Savoretti at the O2 Academy on October 21st.
