Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: Ever since I was a toddler, I loved music – my big brother even nicknamed me ‘Boogie’ because I would invariably start dancing as soon as music came on. Growing up in Switzerland, we lived close enough to a yearly folk festival that I could make out the songs and, using an old classical guitar that was gathering dust in a cupboard, I played along and gradually taught myself to play. My love affair with playing later extended to drums, percussion, bass, didgeridoo, and I’ve always loved learning new instruments.
I then went on to play drums in an electro-rock band, percussion with an Ibiza-based Deep House DJ, and here we are now with my songs, which are years in the making.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Jeremy Allen”?
A: That’s the big question for any artist, right? I’ve received such great feedback when I play live – which massively encourages me – but how do you get your stuff out to a wider audience? Right now, I’m creating reels and also sending out shameless WhatsApp messages to most of my contacts every time I release a single, hoping something sticks. But I think I’m seeking a more organic, authentic way to promote myself – and I suspect I’m not the only musician who feels this way.
So what does work?
Personally, I find I can build connections with audience members when I play live, and by allowing myself to be vulnerable and authentic, I hope to build a fanbase that way.
A message to potential fans? My mission is to connect with people. I want to move people with my music, which is about love, about learning to be one’s best self, about family, about heartbreak, about friendship. I believe the whole beauty of life is found in its messiness, and I try to convey that in my songs.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I find inspiration from Spotify playlists. I listen to so many different genres, but some names that are inspiring me right now are Alex Serra, Palace, Freddy Crabs, and Pisco Sour.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Surrender to Your River”?
A: “Surrender to Your River” was born from a deep desire to be true to myself. Of course, needs must, but I think many of us are not following our path – the one our soul longs for, the one that makes our heart sing. This song is a call to do what we love in life and surrender to where our soul wants to take us. It will very likely involve sacrifices, it will be hard, and there will almost certainly be negative voices – both internal and external. But ultimately we owe it to ourselves to truly follow our heart and create a solid plan to support that. This song says: go for it! You can do this. Work hard, believe in yourself, and you can do anything if you’re aligned with who you truly are!
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Soulful
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Surrender to Your River”?
A: I enjoyed the challenge of playing all the instruments on the track and had a lot of fun during the mixing process, as my nephew James Allen, who’s also a producer, mixed it. We had a great time crafting the final version together.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: My songs mean so much to me – I’ve poured into them my vulnerability, my heart, and some of my experiences as I navigate this world. My hope and goal as an artist is that audiences feel those emotions when listening to my music and maybe see some parallels with their own lives.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Radiohead
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: To keep at it! We see people playing on stage with stars in our eyes and sometimes think: that could never be me. But it can be! However, that means sitting down in front of a sheet of paper, writing a vision, and from that, a plan – and then using that plan to focus on music every day. That’s what I’m attempting to do. I’m not there yet, but I hope to perform for you soon, because I love sharing and connecting with an audience.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: You are perfect as you are. You will make mistakes, and that’s OK. Those mistakes are what shape you. Making mistakes is shit, but it will pay dividends later in life.
