By Karishma Ravalia
Jack Weston, aka Kid Conventional, an acoustic indie singer-songwriter, tells Rooted it would be easier to list the places in Sheffield he hasn't played.
Jack Weston, aka Kid Conventional, an acoustic indie singer-songwriter, tells Rooted it would be easier to list the places in Sheffield he hasn't played.
The 26 year old from Birmingham, came to Sheffield to study but loved it so much he decided to stay. He now balances the work life and music. “I do everything myself – organise the gigs, drive myself, sell the merchandise. But I’ve never known it any other way.”
Jack’s talent was first spotted by his school teacher when he was singing in the corridor. From that it led to singing soprano for the Birmingham Cathedral choir in a cassock.
He started an emo band with some friends, playing lead guitar and covering and playing their own written songs.
In the band, he says, things were more likely to go wrong. "One of my mates managed to shred his hand on his guitar so he was covered in blood. He was bleeding profusely."
At another gig, the drummer got food poisoning and threw up while he was playing. For him, all part of the learning curve.
Jack’s talent was first spotted by his school teacher when he was singing in the corridor. From that it led to singing soprano for the Birmingham Cathedral choir in a cassock.
He started an emo band with some friends, playing lead guitar and covering and playing their own written songs.
In the band, he says, things were more likely to go wrong. "One of my mates managed to shred his hand on his guitar so he was covered in blood. He was bleeding profusely."
At another gig, the drummer got food poisoning and threw up while he was playing. For him, all part of the learning curve.
"Thinking about it, it’s quite difficult to think of a place I haven’t played in town which still surprises me."
Moved to Sheffield
Birmingham, he felt, was holding him back: "It's a cool place now which is good. But it's always been a difficult and different place to play music." It's a big city with lots of little scenes rather than a cohesive city scene like Sheffield.
He left in 2007, to come to university in Sheffield to study a undergraduate degree in Politics.
He kept up the music, but this time as a solo artist:
“It means I can be more flexible. Being in a band it’s ‘can we do this gig’ but now it’s can I do it? It also means I’ve got no one else to blame.”
Birmingham, he felt, was holding him back: "It's a cool place now which is good. But it's always been a difficult and different place to play music." It's a big city with lots of little scenes rather than a cohesive city scene like Sheffield.
He left in 2007, to come to university in Sheffield to study a undergraduate degree in Politics.
He kept up the music, but this time as a solo artist:
“It means I can be more flexible. Being in a band it’s ‘can we do this gig’ but now it’s can I do it? It also means I’ve got no one else to blame.”
Things can go wrong
With a repertoire of songs in hand (“lots of teenage angst”), he played the typical Sheffield circuit, open mic nights at the Green Room, The Brothers Arms and even doing a few songs at West Street Live, last year.
He's played gigs in front of two people (“pretty horrible”), but playing in The Lantern Theatre in Nether Edge as part of Tramlines was “pretty weird.”
Having everyone seated, in a theatre being on a raised stage with lights everywhere was a slightly surreal experience for him.
Being a ginger that plays guitar, Jack often gets compared to Ed Sheeran which is
With a repertoire of songs in hand (“lots of teenage angst”), he played the typical Sheffield circuit, open mic nights at the Green Room, The Brothers Arms and even doing a few songs at West Street Live, last year.
He's played gigs in front of two people (“pretty horrible”), but playing in The Lantern Theatre in Nether Edge as part of Tramlines was “pretty weird.”
Having everyone seated, in a theatre being on a raised stage with lights everywhere was a slightly surreal experience for him.
Being a ginger that plays guitar, Jack often gets compared to Ed Sheeran which is
“annoying because he’s infinitely more popular than I am.”
Full time career
Music is only a part of Jack's life, with a full time job to juggle as well.
As for a full time music career, he's not sure.
"If someone wants to pay me for it that would be great. It's one of those things where you have to get the fear."
In other words, he says, he needs to give up his job, and understand the fear of not getting paid and not being able to pay the rent. That would provide him with the stimulus to go full-time.
"The problem is - when you start stressing, you begin to enjoy it less and that's when you shouldn't be doing it."
On the bill with Snow Patrol
One highlight was playing at the NEC before a Snow Patrol gig:
"I wasn't officially on the bill, I was playing in the bar - but the number of people that walked by and stopped made it worth it."
Jack still loves the small venues. Playing a completely sold out gig at the Rocking Chair in the city centre is one of his favourite memories:
"It was packed to capacity which was incredible. I had to be careful of what I did, and not to spit on anyone."
He always finds it's more difficult to play to 'nobody' because if there's loads of people - some will be watching and others won't. You won't be able to tell if they don't like it.
Music is only a part of Jack's life, with a full time job to juggle as well.
As for a full time music career, he's not sure.
"If someone wants to pay me for it that would be great. It's one of those things where you have to get the fear."
In other words, he says, he needs to give up his job, and understand the fear of not getting paid and not being able to pay the rent. That would provide him with the stimulus to go full-time.
"The problem is - when you start stressing, you begin to enjoy it less and that's when you shouldn't be doing it."
On the bill with Snow Patrol
One highlight was playing at the NEC before a Snow Patrol gig:
"I wasn't officially on the bill, I was playing in the bar - but the number of people that walked by and stopped made it worth it."
Jack still loves the small venues. Playing a completely sold out gig at the Rocking Chair in the city centre is one of his favourite memories:
"It was packed to capacity which was incredible. I had to be careful of what I did, and not to spit on anyone."
He always finds it's more difficult to play to 'nobody' because if there's loads of people - some will be watching and others won't. You won't be able to tell if they don't like it.
"If there are less people you can always tell if they're not enjoying it and that makes it more awkward and uncomfortable."
His first single - Hunted - is available on iTunes now.