Howard Jones is back. The celebrated British singer-songwriter was a regular chart-topper in the mid-1980’s. His unique brand of SynthPop is touring Australia in September, performing his first two albums: Human’s Lib and Dream Into Action. Claire Alexander spoke to Jones from his home in England.
Can you say a bit about how you pioneered the use of synths in live music? You were the first to trigger sequences live on stage.
When I started, I had this idea for doing a one man electronic show surrounded by synthesizers and drum machines and sequencers… I was triggering it all live and playing bass with my left hand and lead-lines with my right hand. In the tour I’m doing in September – I’m using modern technology to recreate those things from the past.
You’re performing your first two albums live, and in full on this tour. What made you choose those, as opposed to your later work?
Well, the first two were the most commercially successful and they’re the ones that most people got to hear. But also, it’s always been at the top of the wish-list of the fans – they’ve always expressed the desire that I should do this—so it’s nice that I’ve finally been able to do it.
How would you say that the inspiration behind your music, and the topics you write about differ from musicians in your genre?
Well, I’m a practicing Buddhist, so I base my life on a lot of philosophical thinking and I like to ask the big questions about life… and that’s really what I’ve always put in my music. I don’t write typical pop lyrics, the songs are a lot more about questioning the reasons for being alive, and how to live a successful life as a human being – and that’s always where I’ve been coming from. I also thought it was a good idea to write songs that encourage people with their life. Things can get tough for people, and music can be a very uplifting thing… and I wanted to have a big element of that in my work.
Is there anything else you want OUTinPerth readers to know about your tour, what to expect – what to listen out for?
Well, it’s a long show. 2.5 hours. It’s a bit like going on a journey… I say to the audience, ‘Come on this journey with me, through the album’, because it really does throw you around a bit emotionally. I try to get that over to people, that it’s an evening where you are going to experience all kinds of things (laughs), but I get such great reaction – it’s really worth it.
Claire Alexander
The Human’s Lib and Dream Into Action Tour is playing at the Astor Theatre, Mt Lawley on September 5. Bookings can be made on (08) 9484 1133.
