Cobain Jones has launched the lead single and title track from his new EP ‘Realistic Dreams‘ produced by one of his idols James Dean Bradfield at the Manic Street Preachers studio in Newport. It’s a brisk, catchy track that resides with the embers of the Manics commercial peak, shimmering strummed guitars and dexterous licks are paired with a skipping beat and Jones’s energetic vocal that glides into a widescreen chorus.
It’s fired with words inspired by Cobain’s mistrust of the beauty ideals portrayed by social media and “15 years of Kardashian bullshit,” as he explains: “Kylie Jenner has teams of beauticians and the best cosmetic surgeon in the world. Getting lip fillers from some guy in Ashton-under-Lyne isn’t the same and doesn’t do anyone any favours. People are naturally beautiful.”
Realistic Dreams is wholly the work of the 21-year-old from Stalybridge in Greater Manchester.
“James was very adamant that the song stayed mine and that I took charge of the creative decisions,” says Cobain. “James told me: ‘This is your song, it’s your moment.’ James knows what he wants, but he’s very open to artists’ ideas – so long as you know what you’re talking about. He took me in and he was totally sound. He makes a cracking brew, too.”
Bradfield’s slim external production CV comprises Kylie Minogue’s 1997 album Impossible Princess, Northern Uproar’s self-titled 1996 debut and the peerless cult classic 2004 single You Are The Generation That Bought More Shoes And You Get What You Deserve by short-lived duo Johnny Boy.
Of his own Manics heritage, Cobain says: “For me, the top two bands of all time are The Beatles and Manic Street Preachers. Playing James’ white Les Paul was like pulling Excalibur out”.
“The day before going to Newport, James called me. I was dead nervous, but we just chatted about how the session was going to go. So on the day of the first session, I wasn’t starstruck. I couldn’t be, because I knew I had to do it and that I was there for a reason.”
Bradfield also produces the EP’s bittersweet relationship saga ‘Endless Chapters’, with Cobain revealing: “I was in love with my first girlfriend when I started writing it, but we’d split up when I was writing the end. It’s the history of a romance, about how you had a lot of fun but it’s best to leave it in the past.”
The EP is rounded out by a shivering cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Coming In From The Cold‘. as Cobain notes: “I initially wanted to do a rock version but, when I got on the piano, that song just worked. But Bob Marley is so amazing, most of his songs will work brilliantly no matter how you tackle them, if you try to be yourself while you’re singing.”
Cobain Jones is the singer’s real name. His parents love Nirvana, but they’re into everything:
“When I supported The Lathums, their singer Alex was insisting: ‘That can’t be your real name.’ People think I’ve made it up every time, so I carry my ID with me everywhere.”
Cobain Jones is a Manchester musician. But he reasons: “It’s massive to be part of Manchester’s musical heritage, but it can have its disadvantages, because of how competitive the city is. It’s one of the most famous music scenes in the world, but there’s also a thriving underground scene. Manchester has musicians who are my idols and I want to carry that baton.”
Talking further about the realistic dreams for his own music, Cobain adds: “I want people to understand that I’m here to stay. I know of musicians who’ve got five million followers on social media who can’t sell out a 400-cap venue. People singing my music back to me, that’s what I want.”
Cobain is also studying music production at University of Huddersfield, with plans to become a producer as well as an artist. “I’ve an ear for production,” he says. “I’m versatile with bringing different genres into my own music and I’d love to help bring that to other artists one day.”
Cobain Jones was always a name to remember. He was destined to be a musician.
‘Realistic Dreams’ is released on Crowswood Records via CD Baby on October 14th.
Image by Trust a Fox
