INTERVIEW: BLUEJAY discuss origins and influences alongside news of their Exeter Phoenix show
Hailing from Devon’s surf-soaked coastline, BLUEJAY have built a reputation as one of the South West’s most electrifying blues-rock outfits. Since forming in 2015, the band have evolved from a raw three-piece into a five-strong force of riffs, rhythm, and high-octane live energy. Their latest EP ‘Prime’ has not only struck a chord with local fans but also generated buzz as far afield as the US and South America, earning support from BBC Introducing SW along the way.
With an explosive sound that fuses nostalgic blues grit with the punch of modern rock, BLUEJAY are a band made for the stage, and their upcoming headline slot at Phoenix, Exeter, promises to be another powerful reminder of why their live shows turn heads. Ahead of the gig, we caught up with the band to talk creativity, riff-writing, and what it means to carry Devon’s rock spirit onto a global stage.
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What was the first rock song or artist that made an impact on you?
Eddie Van Halen on Van Halen One and Two. I bought the cassettes from HMV in London. When I got it home and heard Eruption, I was hooked. Also hearing Guns N Roses for the first time on the Radio 1 Rock show with Tommy Vance. It was the intro to Welcome to the Jungle, then Axl coming in with that scream… By the time it hits the riff, I was hooked, and then and always, Slash – the tone, the melodic nature of his solos. Wow!
Who are some of your biggest musical influences within the rock genre?
The main ones are AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, and Rainbow, then into Dio, and The Doors. I mustn’t forget the Red Hot Chili Peppers, too. When I was living in Oxford, it was all Radiohead and Supergrass, who were great live in small venues. Back in the 90s, it was all Stone Roses and the Prodigy. More recently, Foo Fighters and Muse. I’ve also got a large and ever-growing vinyl collection of 60s, 70s, and 80s stuff. Everything from Fairport Convention to Metallica via Fleetwood Mac.
Are there any non-rock musicians or genres that have also influenced your music?
Yes hugely. I also love EDM and folk rock. I did play in a folk-rock band for years; probably the biggest single influence would be Nick Drake. I also spend a lot of time on classical, Peer Gynt, The Lark Ascending, and Grieg. As a teenager, I did get into the neoclassical rockers like Malmsteen and McAlpine.
What is your main inspiration when looking to write new music?
That’s a good question! To quote Terry Pratchett, I think there are such things as inspirations. Particles of inspiration that whizz through the universe and just land in your head. I often get a melody vocal line in my head. They just appear, and then I’ll sing it over and over and allow it to develop. Then it’s a bit of a race to get it recorded or written down, as these things go quickly.
What do you enjoy most about performing live, and do you have any memorable live performance experiences you’d like to share?
A couple of things, one is that time disappears, and there is only ‘the now’. It’s almost a weightless feeling. The second is the pleasure of seeing one person enjoying themselves – it’s great when it’s the whole audience, but for me, it can be just one person tapping their foot and listening.
We did a festival down in Cornwall one time, and before us there was a gospel choir. They were good and had the crowd with them. I was thinking when we came on, “we are so very different from that”, that we would be playing to an empty field. But they didn’t; in fact, the crowd got bigger and the dancing started, and the energy was fantastic.
What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your musical journey so far?
The big thing at the moment is playing the Exeter Phoenix on 12th September 2025.
We wanted to push the boat out and find a bigger venue for our bigger sound. I contacted the Phoenix and found a date, and then set about finding 3 other great local Devon and Exeter bands to join us – Heartwood, Chasing Zeros, and Machineries of Joy. It will be a big show for all of us and hopefully a game-changer for all involved.
How would you define success as a musician?
Probably the best measure is having fun with your mates and enjoying what you do together.
Beyond that. It could be setting goals and achieving them. It could be recording something that you’re proud of and actually like listening to. It could be knowing that your music made someone happy, and they enjoyed themselves while they were watching you or listening to you. It’s definitely not money. It is about being able to express yourself authentically, and if someone else enjoys that, that just makes it better. But mostly, it’s about having fun with your mates.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out?
Pick people who have the same influences and values as you. Work hard and be authentic. Be you and don’t try to sound like this or that, despite what everyone might say. Be prepared to be crap and have a crap time at rehearsal and gigs, and push through. Above all, enjoy it.
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Buy tickets for their upcoming Exeter Phoenix show here and listen to their latest EP ‘Prime’ below.