Cooper is a self-made, self-taught musician who manages to exist effortlessly within two scenes generally considered to be at varying ends of the sonic spectrum. Learning his craft on the Indie Rock scene, but later connecting with the Sing Out Gospel Gospel Choir, Cooper’s exquisite vocal and adroitly played guitar seamlessly encompasses the best of both worlds. It’s Indie with soul, soul with heart. This is meaningful music from the mind of a man who’s lived life, loss and longing. He defines the idea of what it is to be a truly singular artist who both defies convention and resists comparison. “I don’t want to be seen as a singer/ songwriter because people lump you into that sulky troubadour box,” points out JP with a quick laugh. “I want to be a bit more than that. I want to make great music and grow. I’ve always loved and admired artists that evolve; people like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Björk. Hopefully I can be an artist who will explore and transform in a similar way.”
Though it might seem like music is in his DNA, JP wasn’t bought up in a particularly musical household. However, his Granddad, a commercial artist and dad, also an artist, taught him something that would prove invaluable to his own artistic endeavors in years to come. “My dad went to study at art school and my Granddad told him, ‘Never get a job in art ‘cause it’ll be something that you don’t love anymore. It’ll be a job not a hobby’. That really stuck with me years later when I began to teach myself guitar. You need to know your a,b,c’s, but the main thing is to have fun with it, to play with it like a child would, ignore the rules. The fact I’m completely clueless about what chords I’m playing works in my favour. I’m a complete blagger! But that’s really nice I think; I can stay wide-eyed about it.”
Bought up during the guitar-laden years of Britpop, like many young Manchester teens, JP played in various bands throughout school. Broadening his musical tastes beyond Oasis by regularly visiting eponymous record store, the Vinyl Exchange, it was there the young music enthusiast discovered everything from Björk to Aphex Twin, Donny Hathaway and Rufus Wainwright. Deciding to go solo while at college, JP was finally able to fully draw on his various influences and begin to experiment with the sort of artist he wanted to be. “I realised that I didn’t want to have to rely on anybody – as long as I could play and I could write then I’d be pretty self-sufficient. And I could make the music I wanted to make without having to compromise.” Teaching himself guitar, JP began testing his sound out at Open Mic nights and quickly started getting booked to play all over Manchester. Within a year he rose to selling out 250 capacity venue, the Deaf Institute. However, because he was a white guy with a guitar, he found himself increasingly booked at folk / indie / band nights. Ill at ease in a scene into which he was thrust, slowly his audience began to diversify as the subtleties in his music began to emerge. He joined Manchester’s Sing Out Gospel Choir and released a series of three mixtapes, noticing a growing fanbase within the urban world. Soon he was not only selling out venues like the Gorilla in Manchester, but he was hitting capacity at shows in London too. “As soon I found an outlet into the soul and urban world, everything changed overnight. Since then it’s grown and grown and I’ve found my audience. It’s really nice to be embraced by that world.”
Three years ago, he became a dad for the first time and a year later faced a difficult decision. Supporting himself by working in a bar so he could be with his son every morning and night, when Island Records offered him a development deal, he knew it would mean a lot of travel to London. “I didn’t want to miss any of my son growing up, but I also had to build a future for us both. It got to the point where I’d had this massive dream of doing music and all this amazing stuff was happening, but at the same time I was away from all of the things that are home to me.”
It’s a subject he covers on Closer, found on his 2015 EP, When The Darkness Comes. After signing to Island Records 18 months ago, JP released two EP’s, which combined have had over 5 million plays. The first, Keep The Quiet Out, was produced by the Confectionary [Bonkaz, Jacob Banks]. The most recent (When The Darkness Comes), produced by the duo One-Bit, features six perfectly executed vignettes. The EP is deeply personable yet utterly relatable. “It’s about relationships, people’s struggles, family and the human mind, the weirdness of it, the complexities of it,” explains JP.
He not only has a large online following, but he has a large and loyal live fanbase too. Last year, he sold out four headline shows in London, including the The Scala the Village Underground and Koko. The EP’s, along with his engaging live performances, have won JP a legion of fans as disparate as his sounds; the likes of Boy George, The Cast Of EastEnders, Maverick Sabre, Sean Mendez and Stormzy have all sung his praises, while recent collaborations with the likes of George the Poet have seen Cooper diversify a little into the spoken world arena. “It’s not my world at all but it’s taught me loads,” he muses. “The whole imagination behind it all inspires me to want to be better.”
Next up is JP’s debut album proper which promises to be bigger and bolder affair, while retaining a sense of simplicity and honesty. Featuring elements of Hip Hop, stand-up soul and Country-inflected guitar, there will also be some unexpected twists and turns. JP isn’t an artist that deals in the formulaic, the predictable or the conventional. “It’s going to be bold,” he decides. “I’ve enjoyed some spot plays on Radio and I know I’m lucky to have those because what I do really doesn’t sound like anything else on there. I’d like to carry on down that route. I don’t want my music to sound like everything else that’s being put out at the minute.”
JP Cooper isn’t the sort of artist to list his ambitions as being awards and accolades. That’s not why he makes music. He’s isn’t here to make cookie-cutter sounds that cynically appeal to a mass market. Rather he wants to challenge the idea’s of what music people should – and shouldn’t – be making. “There’s no façade. I’m just somebody who lives life and writes about it. It’s a human experience. I’m not untouchable,” he points out. “I think people trust what I do because of the way that I am; there’s no front. I think that makes people want to find out more. Hopefully when they do find out more, they’ll like what they hear. I know nothing’s promised, and I know I’ve been doing this for a few years now, but it feels just like the beginning. And that’s really exciting.”
However, he was hailed as ‘Future Sound of 2015’ by BBC Radio One’s Zane Lowe, supported soul singer Angie Stone, sold out a UK tour of his own, and had a coveted slot at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
His EP 'When The Darkness Comes' was reviewed in 2015 as "combining folk, blues, soul and gospel, ... [showcasing] Cooper’s talent for both songwriting and lyricism which releases true emotion – not only for himself but also the listener."
Sources:
This info was taken from when he was featured in The Telegraph and listed for his gig at The Cluny in Newcastle upon Tyne.
We Were Raised Under Grey Skies
JP Cooper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you'll never hear us complain
Oh, and father led with examples
Of how to draw beauty from pain
So I found a thousand
Springtimes in her eyes
And I learned to play games in the rain
Oh, when you left us
You didn't really go
I know you're watching me
From my head to my toes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
And truth be told, everybody knows
You put the food on my plate
And you gave me my clothes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
I found the touch of your hand in the breeze
And the light of your smile in the sun rays
You should know I hear the sound of your voice in music
So I speak with you every day
Oh, when you left us you didn't really go
I know you're watching me
From my head to my toes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
And truth be told, everybody knows
You put the food on my plate
And you gave me my clothes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no oh
We have overcome, 'cause of what you've done
And it's plain to see
That you're here with me
We have overcome, 'cause of what you've done
And it's plain to see
That you're here with me, oh no
When you left us you didn't really go
I know you're watching me
From my head to my toes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
And truth be told, everybody knows
You put the food on my plate
And you gave me my clothes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
When you left us you didn't really go
I know you're watching me
From my head to my toes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
And truth be told, everybody knows
You put the food on my plate
And you gave me my clothes
And I will not go without
I won't walk without you, no
In JP Cooper's song, We Were Raised Under Grey Skies, he recounts how he and his family were brought up in a region with overcast skies but they never complained. He reminisces about the influence his father had on him and his siblings, how he taught them how to find beauty amidst pain. JP Cooper finds solace in the memories of his father and how he has helped shape his life. He speaks of discovering a thousand springs in his mother's eyes and learning to play games in the rain, which are both reflective of the joyful memories of his childhood.
The chorus speaks about how the singer knows his father is watching over him even though he is no longer physically present. He recognizes the importance his father played in his life, from providing food and clothing to instilling values that helped him endure and overcome trials. JP Cooper finds his father's influence all around, from the touch of his hand in the breeze to the sound of his voice in music.
The song celebrates the enduring influence of a father's love and guidance. Even though his father has passed, JP Cooper is committed to continuing to honor him and his legacy. The song is a heartfelt tribute to his father, and the lyrics are a testament to the indelible mark he has left on the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
We were raised under grey skies
Growing up was difficult and filled with hardships
But you'll never hear us complain
Despite the challenges, we remained positive and grateful for what we had
Oh, and father led with examples
Our father showed us how to cope with pain by finding beauty in it
Of how to draw beauty from pain
Our father taught us how to turn negative experiences into positive ones
So I found a thousand Springtimes in her eyes
We found joy and hope in the people around us
And I learned to play games in the rain
We learned to find enjoyment even in the midst of difficult times
Oh, when you left us
When you died
You didn't really go
Your spirit and influence still lives on with us
I know you're watching me
We feel your presence and guidance in our lives
From my head to my toes
In every aspect of our lives
And I will not go without
We will not forget you or try to separate ourselves from you
I won't walk without you, no
We will always carry you with us
And truth be told, everybody knows
It is clear to everyone how much you mean to us
You put the food on my plate
You provided for us and took care of us
And you gave me my clothes
You supported us and made our lives easier
I found the touch of your hand in the breeze
We feel your presence in nature and everyday experiences
And the light of your smile in the sun rays
We see your happiness and positivity in the world around us
You should know I hear the sound of your voice in music
We hear your comforting and guiding voice in music and other things
So I speak with you every day
We feel like we have a connection with you and continue to communicate with you
We have overcome, 'cause of what you've done
We have been able to overcome challenges because of your influence and teachings
And it's plain to see
It's obvious to others how much you still mean to us
That you're here with me
We feel like you're still present in our lives
When you left us you didn't really go
Your memory and influence will always be with us
And I will not go without
We will always remember and honor you
I won't walk without you, no oh
We will always carry you with us and stay connected to you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ADRIANO BUFFONE, JOHN PAUL COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ceylan akcicek
We were raised under Grey skies,
But you'll never hear us complain
Oh, and father led with examples
Of how to draw beauty from pain
So I found a thousand spring-times in her eyes
And I learned to play games in the rain
Oh, when you left us you didn't really go
I know you're watching me from my head to my toes
And I will not go without, I won't walk without you, no
And truth be told, everybody knows you
You put the food on my plate and you gave me my clothes
And I will not go without, I won't walk without you, no
I found the touch of your hand in the breeze
And the light of your smile in sun rays
You should know I hear the sound of your voice in music
So I speak with you everyday
We have overcome, 'cause of what you've done
And it's plain to see that you're here with me
Rebecca Vocal Athlete
absolutely beautiful
VaranusVideos
Its sad that the music industry will never recognize a gem like this man (and many others) and its obvious he recognizes that and will not conform, much respect and thank you for the beautiful music you give us.
Dillon Martin
+VaranusVideos he will get famous just like Amos Lee and Ray Lamantagne
Ash Pearson
+VaranusVideos I know your comment is 4 months old, but you may be glad to hear he's recorded an album, finished a tour with RHODES and is currently supporting Ella Henderson. Let's hope he get's some recognition that he clearly deserves!
Torresmeza9
+VaranusVideos never say never
Donna Cowan
VaranusVideos oh he's here now
Web
!!!!!!!!!!
Paula Choi
"I heard the sound of your voice in music, so I speak with you everyday."
how do you even create a beautiful waterfall of lyrics like that
Jade B
Paula Choi a "waterfall of lyrics"... That is very nicely put. 😊👌🏽
Gibs Kimbler
It's so deep and so true