My Music Episode 698 - Jonny Couch

MyMusic with Graham Coath – Jonny CouchWhat does it take to step out from behind the drum kit and become the artist at the front of the stage?In this episode of MyMusic, Graham Coath is joined by Jonny Couch, the New Jersey singer-songwriter whose journey has taken him from pounding the drums in touring punk bands to becoming an acclaimed solo artist with a love of classic songwriting, unforgettable melodies and timeless rock 'n' roll.Their conversation travels from Jonny's early days touring the UK with legendary acts such as Theatre of Hate and sharing stages with bands including Buzzcocks, through to finding his own voice as a frontman after spending years in the background.Along the way they discuss:Why becoming a singer meant learning a completely different set of skills.The art of connecting with an audience through eye contact, storytelling and performance.Whether social media has changed the relationship between musicians and live audiences.Why Jonny still believes rock stars should look like rock stars.Songwriting, vocal development and the artists who have inspired him, from David Bowie and Bryan Ferry to Joe Jackson, Smokey Robinson and Cheap Trick.Why small clubs still create the strongest connection between artists and fans.The importance of tension, release and dynamics in great songwriting.Why podcasting can help people discover music in a far more meaningful way than a 10-second social media clip.There's plenty of humour too, from stories about touring Britain and navigating UK trains, to ideas for a future podcast called "On the Couch with Jonny Couch" and even a starring role for Jonny's Westie, Alfie.As always, MyMusic goes beyond the songs to explore the people behind them. If you enjoy conversations about creativity, performance, songwriting and what drives musicians to keep creating, this is an episode you won't want to miss.