Pocket Jam

Who are Pocket Jam? Where you’re from, how you met, how long have you been playing together etc

We are a modern soul and funk band based in London. We met at university seven years ago when we put together a cover band playing classic 60s soul music at parties. Then we started writing our own music and after graduating (just before the pandemic), set up Pocket Jam. 

Who came up with the band name and does it have a story or any meaning behind it?

We had a lot of time during Covid to work out what our sound and brand was going to be. Maybe too much time as we went back and forth on names for a long time — something to keep us occupied during the long days of lockdown! Eventually we settled on Pocket Jam: a play on ‘in the pocket’ (a phrase to describe a tight jazz ensemble) and the freer, wilder side of a rhythm & blues ‘jam’ — two complimentary sides of our soul sound. 

If you had to describe the band using just five words, what would they be?

Upbeat, adventurous, soulful, colourful & fun. 

Who are your biggest influences musically?

The soul artists of the 60s like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Sam & Dave and Dusty Springfield have a huge influence on our music. We are also inspired by modern soul artists like Lake Street Dive and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, who have breathed new life into the genre.  

What’s the band’s biggest claim to fame so far?

We’ve had a lot of highlights, from winning the inaugural Shoreditch Buskers Competition in 2020 to our debut single Get Up & Groove It smashing 6,000 streams in just 4 months. 

What’s your songwriting process?

It’s very collaborative — one of us usually brings in a sketch or riff or a hook that we play around with. Then we flesh out the structure before going away and working on the parts and lyrics individually. Then at our next practice we’ll piece the thing together and see if it works. The best part of the whole process is getting it in front of a crowd at one of our gigs and seeing how it goes down. 

If you could go on tour with any current band or artist, who would it be and why?

We’d love to tour with Lake Street Dive. They have such a dynamic, exciting catalogue of music and their stage presence is infectious.

If you could put your dream team band together consisting of any musicians from the past or present who would the band members be? 

Steve Cropper on guitar, Mick Fleetwood on drums, John Entwistle on bass, Lou Marini and John Coltrane on horns, and Aretha leading from the front on vocals.  

How would you describe your live show to someone who has never seen you perform before?

Our live shows are all about getting people up on their feet and dancing! We want our shows to be fun and a space where people can enjoy music inspired by a golden age in feel-good sounds. We bring high energy to the stage and try to share that with our audiences through some audience interaction or just by writing and performing material that resonates with our listeners. Really it’s just a whole lot of fun, good vibes and great music! 

Do either of you have any pre-gig or post gig rituals? If so, what and why?

We don’t have any rituals per se – we try to have a bit of a run through before the gig and have a drink all together to get excited for the show!

This question is for all band members. If we were to browse your music library what is the most embarrassing song we might find? Or who is your guilty pleasure artist? 

Cap – I’m not currently a Swiftie but I have a huge soft spot for Taylor’s Fearless album. On particularly nostalgic days you might catch me dancing along to You Belong with Me or Love Story while walking down the street. 

Henry – every Mika album. I’m obsessed.

If people want to check you out online where is the best place to go?

Instagram is definitely our primary social media platform, but we are also on TikTok and Facebook. Our music is available on all streaming platforms and our website is pocketjammusic.com.

Finally, What does the future hold for the band?

We are hoping to gig a lot more in the new year, and get on some festival line-ups as we’d love to get out in front of audiences after spending this year focusing on the EP! Our headline show to celebrate the launch is at the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch on November 23rd. We’ve got an amazing line up including two incredible support acts and an amazing DJ who will be playing us out until the early hours. It’s not one to be missed!