Jersey Budd has always done things his own way. From leaving school at sixteen to become a plumber, to changing his name by deed poll, the talented Leicester musician is nothing if not determined. So much so, that after a stack of offers to release his debut album, Wonderlands through major record labels, he elected instead to go alone, allowing fans to invest in his band…

“I just wanted to get an album out, but the industry can be full of bullshit. People want one smash hit and then to send you out with writers or something like that. I don’t think people believed in me, but that was all I needed in terms of motivation.”

Budd has used that motivation to great success during a tour of the UK and more recently Germany, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. As his stock rises beyond humble beginnings in Countesthorpe, so too does anticipation for his second album.

“There’s a song called ‘Your Love Is My Release’, which is like a Velvet Underground number, a bit rockier and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I’m going for a heavier sound. I don’t want to talk in clichés, but it reflects another chapter in my life. Last year I split up from a relationship. I’m not suddenly ‘woe is me’, writing silly love songs, but I’ve used that to inspire me and get going.”

That inspiration to write meaningful, hit songs was evident in the dreamy melodies of ‘She Came Back’, through to the gutsy beauty of ‘Visions of You’, which have earned Jersey’s band the mutual respect of the public and critics alike. Being inspired is admirable, but how does the 25-year-old channel those thoughts in to lyrics?

“I write personally. Weller, Springsteen and Dylan were very much about politics and social issues, where as Lennon wrote about his own experiences, like in ‘I’m So Tired’. I don’t know enough about politics, so I write about how I feel.”

One thing that Jersey didn’t feel like doing was hanging around at school any longer. Never a trouble-maker whilst in education, he was lured in to the working world after seeing older friends with cash on the hip, as well as the excitement for the life he was yet to taste.

“I loved Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’ album and the song ‘No Surrender’. In particular the lyrics, ‘We busted out of class had to get away from those fools, we learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school’. That’s what my dad drilled in to me. My mum encouraged me to do my homework, but my dad wanted me out playing with my mates.”

He must have known something. Countesthorpe’s environment would appear to be a catalyst in helping to produce talented musicians, including Leicester’s finest, Kasabian, as Jersey explains.

“There must be something here, or in the beer at least! Tom (Meighan) used to do Karaoke in here, but perhaps it’s just a coincidence, I don’t know. They are the greatest band in the world, yet you still see them around Countesthorpe which I’ve got a lot of respect for.”

That’s not the end of Jersey’s links to the anthemic four-piece either.

“We used to play with John Meighan, Tom’s brother, who is a fantastic musician. Kasabian have always helped us out. When someone like Serge (Pizzorno) gives you the belief to go out and do it on your own it’s amazing. He set us up with our manager, Mikey, in London about four years ago and it’s been unbelievable since. We’ve played the Albert Hall, Glastonbury and toured Germany.”

Despite the thrill of tours across Europe and beyond, Budd is proud of Leicester and the people close to him. A big fan of Leicester City he’s made it along to as many games as possible this season.

“It’s home, my roots and means everything to me. I love the club and the city. The next album, whether consciously or not reflects that, especially through a song, ‘The Homecoming’, which I wrote on the way back from London.

“Leicester is a great city, with everything you want and people don’t seem to realise it. I love the place. We were voted one of the most miserable places to live in the UK. Do me a favour!

“Those close to me would never allow me to become big time or get above my station. It’s like ‘Shameless’ in The Bulls Head at times, but I love all that!”

The idealistic Budd does himself a disservice. Dressed casually in jeans and t-shirt he insists that we meet in the Bulls Head pub. Being interviewed after finishing a frame of pool with the landlord, whilst slurping a mug of tea, are not the actions of someone who believes their own hype.

“I’m not that bothered about the fame and fortune. I smashed my old man’s car on the way to the Sun newspaper in London, so my first aim is to buy him a nice motor. That’s the dream, to treat him and my mum. As long as I can make a living from music, I’ll be happy.”

Anonymity may not be easy though, especially with a name like Jersey Budd.

“My old man has a nickname for everyone and he called me Jersey, after Jersey Joe Walcott, the boxer. When I started as a plumber, everyone would call me ‘bud’ so it just stuck. Definitely more rock ‘n’ roll though isn’t it?”

The change cost Jersey £11, with another £70 or so required for his passport. A bold move, but not exactly surprising for someone who wears his heart on his sleeve. So what was the inspiration for the motto on his website ‘Take a stand but never stand alone’?

“That came about from Tom, who wrote a song including the lyrics ‘Jersey Budd, come on take a stand’. There’s no great philosophy behind it, but it’s personal to me.”

Here is a modern musician with honest, old-fashioned principles, merged with a contemporary approach to his industry. Referring to an incident with a representative from one of the record labels that were interested in him, you get a sense of those principles.

“For some bloke in a suit to tell me that a song I loved wasn’t good enough for my album was unbelievable. But things like that drive you on and as long as the fans like it that’s all that matters.”

Those fans that purchased ‘Wonderlands’ can expect much the same from album number two, with the obvious comparisons to ‘The Boss’.

“There’s no drastic change in me. I can see where the Springsteen connection comes from, but I won’t be swinging guitars around! People want to lose themselves in the music. He did that and I’ll be trying to do the same. I can’t wait to get back out there and go for it. If I can be half as good as my heroes that will be fine.”

You know what, he might do just that. Either way, Leicester can be proud of Jersey Budd, the man who changed his name and his career, but never lost sight of his dreams.

Visit http://www.jerseybudd.com/ for up-to-date ticket and album information.

Thanks to Glen and Liz at the Bulls Head, Main Street, Countesthorpe for staging the interview with Jersey. Call 0116 2774510 for function hire and live bands.