Jamie N Commons
London, UK
With two critically acclaimed EPs and a tour supporting Bruce Springsteen under his belt, British singer-songwriter Jamie N Commons has been busy taking the world by storm. We caught up with the blues-rock musician in London to talk musical inspiration, creating his own original sound and the new album.
JUST DO THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING
Contents
When it comes to music, nothing evokes quite as much passion as the blues. Keith Richards once said, “If you don’t know the blues... there’s no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.”
The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, The Doors, Jay Z and hundreds of other musicians have all taken inspiration from the blues, either in the form of straight covers or with borrowed samples - and they won’t be the last.
Delve into the back catalogues of Howlin’ Wolf, Lead Belly, and Robert Johnson and it quickly becomes clear they still hold sway today. Nigel Williamson, author of The Rough Guide to the Blues, agrees: “Many of those songs have become the bedrock of rock and roll, and everybody knows them even if they don’t know [artists like] Lead Belly. They’ve been covered not only by Nirvana but by Led Zeppelin, the Beach Boys, and dozens of others.”
The chances are you’ve heard something that was born in the blues - from the first recordings in the ‘20s, to the ‘50s ‘Chicago’ era. It’s the undercurrent of so much that’s around today. As Williamson concludes, “Blues is a timeless music and so although the original stars have almost all died, it will never go away. Every new generation seems periodically to rediscover the blues, adapt it and breathe fresh life into it.”
With that in mind, and a modern-day blues man taking center stage as our latest MarkMaker, here is our essential blues playlist - full of all-time greats that today’s musicians just can’t get enough of.
Creating the look
“Timberland doesn't usually get that moody, but sometimes it's good to. I'm not talking getting cranky, but more passionate. That's what this collection represents.”
Back to black
SLIP INTO JAMIE N COMMONS’ SHOES WITH OUR BRAND NEW BLACK FOREST COLLECTION.
This season we’re taking a sartorial cue from the deepest, darkest part of the woods.
Blending muted black with rich charcoal gray, and several shades in-between, the Black Forest Collection explores a more rebellious aesthetic.
Subtle differences in texture run across premium leather boots, jeans and lightweight jackets, creating a pared-back look that can be worn anywhere, anytime - but is edgy enough to create a lasting impression.
As Creative Director Chris Pawlus explains, “This collection was inspired by the adaptive and mysterious nature of the color black, and represents versatility with a dramatic edge.
Focusing on the monochromatic use of black makes a statement, one that Timberland has not made before, and is a new design inspired way of visualizing the passion behind our brand.”
Shop the look
MarkMakers Essentials
Jamie’s Signature Items
Whether he’s heading to the studio or catching a flight back to Britain, there are a few things Jamie N Commons never leaves home without. We took a look through his suitcase to uncover his everyday essentials and find out why he thinks black is best.
Click below items to see Jamie’s essentials.
