We chat to Jake Bugg about his inspirations, memories and what we can expect from his new album

A Modern Day Distraction is finally out this week - what were your influences while writing the new album? 

Well, I guess in some ways it is a bit of a concept record. The inspiration just came from everything that’s going on at the moment: societal issues and everything that’s happening in the UK. I guess it was just a build up of frustration about how I felt and thought about such things - it kind of wrote itself in a way. 

It feels like you're not straying away from your old stuff, but it also feels like a completely different thing…

Yeah, the last one was quite poppy and the third one was quite experimental, but I felt like it was time to play to my strengths a little bit - stick to the stuff that I feel like I'm best at and also the kind of music that I grew up listening to as well. To have those influences in there was absolutely brilliant. 

It feels like a natural progression from the first two records, but as you say, with a slightly different twist. It's a little bit more up-tempo, which has been great for the live shows. I'd say it's probably more like a Jake Bugg record than than the last couple.

What's the meaning of the album title? 

It’s a lyric from the song Instant Satisfaction. It’s always really hard to come up with an album title for me. I always struggle because you have to kind of find something that covers all subjects in the song, but also keep it so short. I just thought it was a fitting title because I thought maybe, in some way, the album itself could be a distraction for people. 

Let’s talk about the Notts County sponsorship. How was it to be able to say "I'm on that shirt"?

I mean when they're winning it's brilliant! It was a very tough time for the club in those years. And, you know, it was the lowest we'd ever been - we weren't in the Football League. It was quite a tough time but, at the same time, I had the best memories as well. And to be part of that and to be the sponsor at the time was absolutely amazing. As a fan, it was a very proud moment for myself.

I've seen you perform twice, both times at Y Not Festival. The response you were able to get from the festival crowd was insane. What is it like being up there and seeing that?

To be honest, it amazes me every time that there's that many people there. I love going up there and playing the songs. At the time, you just embrace it and take it in your stride. But there'll be moments in the set when you're like “what am I doing up here?!” It just feels a bit surreal and a bit mental at times. But yeah, it's amazing. 

I think something that we should really be proud of in the UK is how great the audiences are at these shows. You're up there and you feel the support from the crowd, and it just gives you that extra 10% to go ahead and do your best. 

When I saw you live, I was really surprised that it was just you and two others. With your sound, I expected 5 or 6 people…

I've had Rob and Jack, they've been my band since I was 17-years-old. Jack (the drummer) he’s from Nottingham himself, from Wollaton. We did have a keyboard player for a while, and when he left we played a couple of gigs as a three and I think it looks cool. One of my favourite bands growing up was Green Day and they always sounded absolutely massive and brilliant for a three piece. 

I think people are surprised when they only see three guys up there, but at the same time I think it works. And, you know, our sound guy does a brilliant job of making us sound as big and as good as we can. 

And you've got the tour coming up including Leeds, London, Dublin, Manchester … There's no big Nottingham show although you recently announced two album launch shows at Rescue Rooms...

I think one of the reasons probably not to do the Nottingham show was we'll probably do something next year. I love playing there. And I think in some ways it can be a tough crowd as well; you know, they're not very easily impressed. But also when you feel they're on your side, it just makes it that little bit more special. 

What's your favourite gig you've ever played? 

I loved playing the Royal Albert Hall, I’ve played there a couple of times. And I really loved the 10-year anniversary show at Nottingham Arena a couple of years ago. But I'd probably say the most memorable was headlining the Other Stage at Glastonbury, just because that was probably the biggest gig for me at that time. I never thought in a million years I'd be clashing with Metallica, with them on the Main Stage. I grew up listening to those guys.

They were the only band I wanted to see and they were on at the same time! It was annoying, I was trying to get my monitors to turn down so I could hear a bit of Enter Sandman or something!

Speaking of rock legends, in May you supported Liam Gallagher and John Squire. How was that? I'm assuming Liam Gallagher was also a big influence for you?

Absolutely. And John as well, I grew up listening to those guys and never for a second did I think I'd be sharing the stage with those guys. So it was amazing, man. And more amazing than anything, after I finished my set I got to watch them perform every night as well. It was absolutely brilliant, John's a great guitarist and I think Liam is singing better than ever. 

I think you got to play more songs than them each day. That's quite a boast!

I mean, I got to play from six of my records whereas they'd only made one album together. Who knows, hopefully they'll make another one! 

Were there any signs that Oasis was going to get back together when you were with Liam? 

I don't know about signs, but I mean, it felt like it had to happen didn't it? Everybody in the world wanted it to happen. So I think it was kind of inevitable to be honest. They did quite a good job of keeping it under wraps.

Hopefully you'll be supporting them at Wembley…

It would be nice, but I think every band in the world is probably on the phone to their agent at the same time. We'll see!

You’ve actually supported so many bands over the years. Which has been your favourite?

Well I think probably the biggest support we've ever done was the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park. I think that was just absolute insanity. And, you know, it was about 80,000 people out there – 80,000 Rolling Stones fans. I'm sure they didn't care too much about us, but to go on stage before the Stones, that's just pretty mad. 

I think my first ever proper support show was in Nottingham at Rock City. It was quite funny because I was supporting Example, which is quite a weird mix…a guy with an acoustic guitar going on before a DJ! No one knew who I was, no one knew I was from Nottingham. I hadn't even picked up the guitar and someone shouted at me, "Get off stage, you ******!" Then I went up to the mic and said “I'm from Nottingham” and the crowd cheered - they were all on my side then. 

I don't think they were listening, but at least I didn't get booed or anything thrown at me, thankfully. Thank God I was from Nottingham at that point in time!

If you could support anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose?

Jimi Hendrix, it's got to be - just to see him play! Just as an excuse to hear those songs.

You went to music college here in Nottingham too. How was that experience for you as an upcoming musician? 

I went to a music college in Beeston two days a week instead of school, which was great. They had a studio and you could hire a guitar. I think it's great for young people to have those spaces, whether it’s Confetti or the college that I attended.

You started off very young. For me and my mates who are in bands you're a big inspiration to us.

That's lovely to hear! The most important thing is songs, if you've got something that people can relate to and resonate with; I remember when I wrote Two Fingers and Trouble Town, I thought "No one's going to care about that". It was just something I was kind of writing about, what I was surrounded by. And then it turned out that I wasn't the only 17-or-18-year-old who felt the same way about everything. If you can write something that can connect with people then yeah, you're onto a winner.

Jake Bugg’s new album A Modern Day Distraction is out on 4th October 2024. He also plays two sold out shows at Rescue Rooms on Tuesday 22nd October 2024.

@jakebugg