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As one of the most talked about acts on the circuit, multi-instrumentalist Jack Garratt is about to have the best festival season of his life. So spectacular in fact, that it may make up for the realisation that he once turned down his idol.
Speaking to Gigwise recently in London's Shoreditch, Garratt told us how he grew up listening to one of the all time soul greats. "Stevie Wonder was introduced to me at a young age through the Songs In The Key Of Life record" says Garratt. "The one that we have in have in the family collection is old, tattered and totally beaten up... but it's perfect. That was the first Stevie Wonder record I was introduced to as a kid but was way too young I think to really fully understand what I was listening to."
Watch Gigwise's video interview with Jack Garratt above
Garratt's musical education began in earnest first through Best Of compilations and then, aged 14, when he found a copy of Music Of My Mind and then his all time favourite Hotter Than July. "They are all just way to good" says Garratt emphatically.
Naturally when Garratt was booked on the same bill as Stevie Wonder last year at the Calling Festival in Clapham, he hoped for an introduction. They share a booking agent and as such got to meet. "I still get confused about that whole experience today because it just doesn't make any sense to me, whatsoever. It was an extremely humbling experience to stand in the presence of a man who has inspired so much and so many people. I did shake his hand."
Then things got slightly surreal for Garratt. "We had a very strange conversation because there was a friend of his who was playing the stage I played at and had seen my set. Stevie said to me 'I have it on good authority that you're a talented guy and you play a lot of different instruments and stuff.' He really jokily - I hope really jokily - then said 'You should get your guitar and come and jam out to 'Superstition' with us at the end of my set later.' To which I could not say anything. I declined, only because he must have been joking! I will tell myself that forever because if he was being serious then I'm an idiot."
Garratt has since come to terms with the fact that he made the right decision. "I didn't want to impose. I would much rather be in the middle of the audience standing in front of that man and just admiring the show. That was incredible. Just genuinely a moment I will never forgot and hold very dear in my heart. Not a lot of people can say that they [have met] a legend and someone of his stature and someone who means so much to me. That was a crazy fucking day!"
Garratt is currently planning a UK tour including two dates at London's Village Underground - probably your last chance to see him in an intimate venue. Garratt will play:
Wed May 13 2015 - EXETER Cavern Club
Sat May 16 2015 - OXFORD O2 Academy2 Oxford
Mon May 18 2015 - BIRMINGHAM Hare and Hounds
Tue May 19 2015 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy 3
Wed May 20 2015 - NOTTINGHAM Nottingham Rescue Rooms
Thu May 21 2015 - BRISTOL Thekla
Mon May 25 2015 - LONDON Village Underground
Tue May 26 2015 - LONDON Village Underground
For tickets see below.
