Meet london-born UK Open Mic performer Jon Malbon:

Hi Jon Malbon, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

63

Where were you born?

London

Where did you grow up?

All over the place

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

My whole life has influenced my music,

Where are you based now, and why?

Split equally between London and Croatia.

What got you into making music in the first place?

Hard to say have always liked writing and have played guitar for years just took it a bit more seriously in the last few years.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing
Guitar
Guitar

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Nick Cave, David Bowie, David Byrne, Lou Reed, Tom Robinson, Miles Kennedy, Robert Levon and Neil Young….all of them are great lyricists and storytellers and that’s what motivates me.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

3

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

Always carry a Notebook, I write about personal experiences and world events.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

3

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

My daughter wanted to go so I went with her for moral support.

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Take a deep breath and just go for it.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

I’m very comfortable with them but in the beginning it was about the audience response.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

No

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

That I can sing at all.

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

Just produced my first studio recording.

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

www.instagram.com/jonathanm581

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

Just my Youtube channel is under anglocroat.