![\"Bentley](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Bentley-Jones-Nothing-Everything-Press-Shot.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\")
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EP: What’s the Bentley Jones story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Haha! \u201cThe Bentley Jones story\u201d \u2013 sounds like a Lifetime movie! I guess I\u2019m just a regular guy who\u2019s had a bit of an irregular life. I pursued music full-time when I was 17 and since then I\u2019ve travelled around the world experiencing life through my music. Now I\u2019m back home in the UK ready to share everything I\u2019ve learnt starting with \u201cThe Prequel\u201d EP followed by my first ever UK album.<\/p>\n EP: You’ve been a massive hit in Japan – how did that come about?<\/strong><\/p>\n Through curiosity I guess! After collaborating with Japanese artists on various projects I grew an appreciation of Japanese music and J-pop as well as a passion and interest in the culture. So I made some calls to the Japanese majors and ended up with offers from 3 of them. In the end I picked EMI Universal, signed the deal and had to learn the language fast to record my first album!<\/p>\n EP: You’ve been described as a songsmith – what is the songwriting process for you?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n First I begin with the idea \u2013 or the lump of clay. This idea can be anything from a full chorus hook to just a rhythm \u2013 and everything in between. This normally triggers what I call my \u201cNutty Professor mode\u201d. It\u2019s this very intense, almost maniacal mode in which I operate in the studio when I become creative. I then mould the lump of clay, sculpting it, adding parts and making adjustments as I go along until it resembles a song.<\/p>\n A couple of my friends and family have caught me in Nutty Professor mode; they\u2019ve said they find it scary and confusing!<\/p>\n EP: What’s the secret to songwriting success? Is it an individual thing? Can you just *know* something is going to work?<\/strong><\/p>\n I think it\u2019ll be different for each individual writer. I feel for me it\u2019s a combination of things. Knowing how to construct a mood using the composition, then taking that concept further using the soundscape and arrangement. Being adaptable is very important, especially working on projects for other people. But at the same time a strong sense of self is also very important. At all times you want your work to sound like you, not like somebody else. I consider my work my audible signature.<\/p>\n EP: Talk us through ‘The Prequel’.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe Prequel\u201d is almost exactly what it says on the tin! We wanted to introduce UK listeners to some of my previous work so it\u2019s a compilation of a few of my best songs \u2013 as well as one new one for my existing fans. It is literally \u2018the prequel\u2019 to my first album for the UK which is obviously the main event and will be arriving shortly afterwards.<\/p>\n EP: You’ve taken on board new influences in your music for ‘The Prequel’. How important is it to you to change things up every so often?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Very important. Like I said before, it\u2019s crucial for you to be adaptable especially if you intend to stay relevant. Music will always move in trends and while I strive to avoid following trends wherever possible, I still try to incorporate them into my \u2018signature\u2019 to continue creating new ideas.<\/p>\n EP: Who has been the biggest musical influence on your life and why? And non-musical?<\/strong><\/p>\n Musically I would probably say Ayumi Hamasaki, perhaps not so much these days and it seems she\u2019s not trying new ideas as much as she used to. I\u2019ve always been inspired by her journey, and that once she made a dent on the industry she tried other styles including rock which at one point was her favourite genre. Also the fact that she took on so much creative control to everything she does and her meticulous attention to detail.<\/p>\n Non-musically I\u2019d have to say my Mom \u2013 not very rock and roll I know! She has always been so strong and resilient even in the face of adversity. And she\u2019s achieved a lot with her life also.<\/p>\n EP: Advice for anyone getting into the music industry right now?<\/strong><\/p>\n First, think long and hard because you\u2019re about to enter a crippled and cut throat industry that still hasn\u2019t managed to recover from the internet boom. That means you\u2019re going to work harder than you\u2019ve ever worked before to achieve any level of success. Next get a lawyer, or at least learn the basics of music law \u2013 you\u2019ll be surprised how invaluable this skill will be. Finally, consider breaking conformity to claim your own place and following \u2013 sometimes to get industry people\u2019s attention you have to prove that you don\u2019t actually need them first!<\/p>\n EP: Where will you be in 5 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n In a big house somewhere in the world with my other half and 2 enormous huskies still being creative in some way. Happiness is key.<\/p>\n EP: What question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview but nobody ever does?<\/strong><\/p>\n Great question. Haha! I think I\u2019ve already been asked every question I can think of to be honest\u2026 as I\u2019m sure you can imagine from doing interviews in Japan. I love random and weird questions, so how about something like \u201cif you could time travel, where would you go and why?\u201d. I\u2019d probably go to the future, or the 70s \u2013 for some reason I\u2019m instinctively drawn to that era. I have no idea why.<\/p>\n Bentley Jones\u2019 EP, \u2018The Prequel\u2019, will be released on 31 August. You can find him online on his website<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, SoundCloud<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, and Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n![\"Follow](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/tQegrTURzYs\/maxresdefault.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\")