01Profile
A Puma Blue Photo
Puma Blue
Musician — London
03Interview
Photograph by Abbie Douglas
Name, where are you from?
My name’s Jacob, from South London.
Describe your style in three words?
Moody-human-music.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Seeing some friends play as SE Dub Collective at Brainchild Festival a few years ago was pretty special.
Might have been D’Angelo and The Vanguard in 2015. Was the most money I’ve ever saved up to see anyone but to experience that level of musicianship was a rare gift.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Another answer that would probably change every day. But today, maybe some Jekyll & Hyde-type line up with Donny Hathaway and The Contortions. That would be steamy.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I don’t know if it counts as a subculture, but the live music scene in South East London has had a profound influence on me, especially around three years ago, in terms of developing as a musician and listener, as well as just being provided with massive support and encouragement. Definitely inspired me to just make the music I want to make and never compromise as well.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki if I had time to learn Japanese first because I’d love to sit and listen to him talk. Or Jimi Hendrix for the same reason, and just so I could ask him questions about his feelings on music.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I love The Montague Arms because it’s cosy, it’s where I had my first headline show, and the sound is always so full despite the intimacy.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I’m a big fan of Shawty Pimp’s ‘Comin Real Wit It’ tape, but it seems to be so slept on, despite it being so influential way back in 1995.
And not that he’s an unknown, but the saxophonist Don Byas doesn’t get enough credit. He's definitely had an impact on the way I use my voice.
Multi-instrumentalist Jacob Allen has echoes of early Amy Winehouse and was included as part of our British New Wave 2018. Taking lo-fi soul and infusing it with various Jazz elements while crooning over the top with his plaintive falsetto. Catch Puma Blue on tour around the UK throughout February 2018.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
‘Otherside’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Discovering the Chilis when I was about eight changed my life.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometimes’ by Beck. First heard it in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind which was my favourite film for a long time.
One record you would keep forever?
‘Voodoo’ by D’Angelo. For infinite reasons.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I want to give him pain,
Make him feel this pretty burn."
From ‘Roman Candle’ by Elliott Smith.
A song you wished you had written?
There are so many, but ‘Murder Suicide Meteor Slave’ by Jeff Buckley would be in my top three.
Best song to turn up loud?
Rage Against The Machine’s cover of ‘How I Could Just Kill A Man’.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘Worms Of The Senses/Faculties Of The Skull’ by Refused.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
‘Fall In Love (Your Funeral)’ by Erykah Badu.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Was introduced to Melanie Charles’s new record ‘The Girl With The Green Shoes’ by my close friend Lloyd late last year. She produces herself and has this crazy smooth voice and sentiment.
03Interview
Photograph by Abbie Douglas
Name, where are you from?
My name’s Jacob, from South London.
Describe your style in three words?
Moody-human-music.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Seeing some friends play as SE Dub Collective at Brainchild Festival a few years ago was pretty special.
Might have been D’Angelo and The Vanguard in 2015. Was the most money I’ve ever saved up to see anyone but to experience that level of musicianship was a rare gift.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Another answer that would probably change every day. But today, maybe some Jekyll & Hyde-type line up with Donny Hathaway and The Contortions. That would be steamy.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I don’t know if it counts as a subculture, but the live music scene in South East London has had a profound influence on me, especially around three years ago, in terms of developing as a musician and listener, as well as just being provided with massive support and encouragement. Definitely inspired me to just make the music I want to make and never compromise as well.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki if I had time to learn Japanese first because I’d love to sit and listen to him talk. Or Jimi Hendrix for the same reason, and just so I could ask him questions about his feelings on music.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I love The Montague Arms because it’s cosy, it’s where I had my first headline show, and the sound is always so full despite the intimacy.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I’m a big fan of Shawty Pimp’s ‘Comin Real Wit It’ tape, but it seems to be so slept on, despite it being so influential way back in 1995.
And not that he’s an unknown, but the saxophonist Don Byas doesn’t get enough credit. He's definitely had an impact on the way I use my voice.
Multi-instrumentalist Jacob Allen has echoes of early Amy Winehouse and was included as part of our British New Wave 2018. Taking lo-fi soul and infusing it with various Jazz elements while crooning over the top with his plaintive falsetto. Catch Puma Blue on tour around the UK throughout February 2018.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
‘Otherside’ by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Discovering the Chilis when I was about eight changed my life.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometimes’ by Beck. First heard it in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind which was my favourite film for a long time.
One record you would keep forever?
‘Voodoo’ by D’Angelo. For infinite reasons.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I want to give him pain,
Make him feel this pretty burn."
From ‘Roman Candle’ by Elliott Smith.
A song you wished you had written?
There are so many, but ‘Murder Suicide Meteor Slave’ by Jeff Buckley would be in my top three.
Best song to turn up loud?
Rage Against The Machine’s cover of ‘How I Could Just Kill A Man’.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘Worms Of The Senses/Faculties Of The Skull’ by Refused.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
‘Fall In Love (Your Funeral)’ by Erykah Badu.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Was introduced to Melanie Charles’s new record ‘The Girl With The Green Shoes’ by my close friend Lloyd late last year. She produces herself and has this crazy smooth voice and sentiment.
Puma Blue | Only Trying 2 Tell U (2018)
Puma Blue | Want Me (2017)
X1
Puma Blue performing at All Our Tomorrows